Making Peace with Nature: A scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies
 
UN secretary-general, António Guterres, launching a major new UN report says in the Foreword:
 
 “Humanity is waging war on nature. This is senseless and suicidal. The consequences of our recklessness are already apparent in human suffering, towering economic losses and the accelerating erosion of life on Earth. Ending our war does not mean surrendering hard-won development gains. Nor does it cancel the rightful aspiration of poorer nations and people to enjoy better living standards. On the contrary, making peace with nature, securing its health and
building on the critical and undervalued benefits that it provides are key to a prosperous and sustainable future for all.
 
This report provides the bedrock for hope. By bringing together the latest scientific evidence showing the impacts and threats of the climate emergency, the biodiversity crisis and the pollution that kills millions of people every year, it makes clear that our war on nature has left the planet broken. But it also guides us to a safer place by providing a peace plan and a post-war rebuilding programme. By transforming how we view nature, we can recognize its true value. By reflecting this value in policies, plans and economic systems, we can channel investments into activities that restore nature and are rewarded for it.
By recognizing nature as an indispensable ally, we can unleash human ingenuity in the service of sustainability and secure our own health and well-being alongside that of the planet. Making peace with nature is the defining task of the coming decades.”

Read the report
​

Two beavers have been released onto a Dorset Wildlife Trust enclosed trial site in west Dorset. Over the coming months and years conservation experts will study how these beavers can improve the landscape for both wildlife and people. Beavers are often referred to as ‘ecosystem engineers’, improving water flow, water quality and biodiversity, providing a natural solution to growing concerns about wildlife decline in Dorset and the UK nationally.

This is the first trial of its kind in Dorset and working with partners at Exeter University and Wessex Water, the Dorset Wildlife Trust looks forward to sharing the progress of this ground-breaking conservation project. See the DWT website for more on this.

PLANET PURBECK PRESENTS... BEAVER FEVER 
Join Planet Purbeck at 19:00, 24 Feb to hear all about an exciting new project looking to reintroduce beavers to Purbeck. A team from the National Trust will explain how they are working towards a positive and carefully-managed phased return of the captivating water engineers here in Purbeck.

Beavers have been present in Devon since 2008. Mark Elliot, Beaver Project Lead at Devon Wildlife Trust will be sharing his first-hand experience of the initial challenges and overarching success of the Beaver reintroduction in the area. 

Join them at 19:00, 24 Feb to hear all about an exciting new project looking to reintroduce beavers to Purbeck, 400 years after they were hunted to extinction in Britain.
Event details and joining information (on Facebook)

Other links:
National Trust video on the reintroduction of Beavers to Purbeck