SURVEY OF WILDLIFE CHARITY MEMBERS REVEALS CONCERN FOR COUNTY
| Published: 4th December 2006 15:14 |
Devon Wildlife Trust has this week received the results from a survey sent to its 32,000 members. The survey was conducted to gauge current perceptions of the key threats to Devon’s wildlife.
Of the 1,238 people who responded, the majority of members recognized that Climate Change is one of the most serious threats to wildlife, along with building developments and pollution.
Stephen Hussey, DWT’s Publications Officer said: “Climate change is already having an impact, and the effects caused by past emissions will increase, whatever is done to reduce future emissions so it reassuring to know that our members realise how important this issue will be to the future of Devon’s wildlife. “
DWT is running a campaign to help wildlife adapt to climate change and has begun extensive monitoring on its nature reserves as well as conducting public participation surveys to find out exactly what is happening to the county’s best loved wildlife.
Stephen added: “Wildlife is already under pressure from many factors but it is DWT’s belief that Climate Change is something we should be prioritising as an organisation. Devon Wildlife Trust’s challenge now is to take this message beyond our members to every part of the community.”
For more information about DWT’s climate change campaign and to take part in the surveys for dormice and red admirals visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org
For further information:
David Ireland
Communications Officer
Tel: 01392 427313 (ext 144)
Fax: 01392 433221
direland@devonwildlifetrust.org
Editor's Notes
• Wildlife has faced climate change in the past, but the rate of change is far greater than at any time in the past. Also, due to human development, wildlife habitat is fragmented, making it more difficult for wildlife to migrate. As sea levels rise, there will be ‘coastal squeeze’, with nowhere for coastal wildlife to go between the rising water and human occupation.
• According to research, even if climate change is contained within the minimum predicted rise of 2°C, there will be some species loss. At the uppermost predictions of around 6°C temperature rise, the outlook is dire.
• DWT’s climate change adaptation programme has Three themes:
o Monitoring trends and changes – detecting changes in wildlife
o Towards a robust countryside – increasing the ability of wildlife to adapt
o Attitudes, aspiration and action – engaging the people of Devon in our work
• Devon Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading environmental voluntary body, with more than 32,000 members.
• The charity manages 40 nature reserves all over the county, including a range of habitats such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths.
• DWT relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than £2million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Devon, for present and future generations.
• The Trust is one of 47 in the UK. Together, they make up the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
• DWT has 12 Local Groups based around the county. All play an important role in DWT’s work and are always looking for more volunteers.
Click here to learn more about Devon Wildlife Trust.
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