Comment: Mammals under threat

A recent report suggested that a fifth of Britain’s mammal species are at risk of extinction. The wildlife that surrounded so many of us in years gone by is becoming increasingly rare—hedgehogs, red squirrels and several species of bat are in dramatic decline. Faced with statistics such as these it is easy to lose hope. But hope is still to be found.

The reasons for the decline in mammals are numerous. The demand for housebuilding increases pressure on local authorities to build across green corridors. People live ever closer to wildlife and, when it comes to conflict, the people generally come off better. Wildlife is feeling the effects of climate change, too, with food harder to find and hibernation patterns disrupted.

HOPE SPRINGS

But particular species in certain areas are bouncing back. Improvements in river water quality alongside reintroduction programmes have led to the recovery of otter populations. Pine marten and polecat numbers have rebounded. Beavers have been successfully reintroduced in the south-west and in Scotland and Wild boar are beginning to recover in woodlands pockets around the UK, too.

These successes, however, take time, effort and funding. ... Read more...

Brunel Manor, Our latest Partner In Action

Brunel Manor is Christian holiday and conference centre in Torquay, providing accommodation and conference facilities for church groups and retreats and holidays for individuals and their families. The site includes 13 acres of grounds including formal gardens, ponds and a woodland.

We will be working closely with the Brunel Manor team to help them manage their land in an environmentally friendly way. They’re working towards a zero waste policy and plan to join in with our Target Ten project restoring the populations of threatened species on their land.

Rachel Oates, Head of Estate and Buildings also has particular responsibility for environmental coordination “we already compost our kitchen waste and ensure that we buy as much locally produced food as we can – we hope to increase this over time and are excited by the prospect of engaging our guests with the wonder of God’s earth and how to care for it at Brunel Manor”

Find out more at http://www.brunelmanor.com