Across the planet, nature and the climate are in deep trouble. And even in our stunning area, recognised for its environment by UNESCO, our wildlife is a shadow of its former glory. Our gardens and towns are manicured or concreted with few places for nature. Breeding cuckoos, curlews and lapwing are heading rapidly to local extinction along with the salmon in our rivers which are overloaded with silt and nutrients. Flower-rich hay meadows have been replaced by single species pastures and silage fields, and arable fields are devoid of weeds and insects. Chemicals used in gardens and on farms are having huge impact on butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

The protests have happened - now it’s time to act! Nature needs more space in our farmland, towns and villages and we need to manage our landscape in a more nature-friendly way. The concept of Pledge for Nature is simple: if every household, business or organisation and particularly every landowner/farmer does their bit, then we can make a real difference through the power of community action!

Top priority is to look after what we’ve got – so if your garden is full of frogs, hedgehogs, bees, swallows and slow worms, you’re doing great! And if your farm includes ponds and clean streams, some wet grasslands, flower rich hay-meadows full of crickets, scrub or woodland, and wild hedges full of autumn fruit – again fantastic and keep up the good work! But much more of the landscape needs to be like this. Check your garden or your farm or your community greenspaces for opportunities – can you manage them less intensively, or give up a corner for nature, the bigger the better!

Each season, Pledge for Nature will promote seasonal projects we can undertake together to help nature recover. Choose your project, pin your “pledge” on the map and get on with it in your own time. And, if you want to do more you could see if you could help your neighbour or local farmer or you’ll find plenty of opportunities to volunteer through our website  such as  the mass tree-plantings that are taking place in northern Devon this winter. There’s something for everyone!

I hope you’ll rise to the challenge! Helping nature is fun, great exercise, and will ensure northern Devon stays a special place. AND you’ll be helping tackle the climate emergency since many of our activities will help to lock up carbon and prevent issues like flooding.  Please spread the news about Pledge for Nature to your friends and neighbours and share what you are doing on social media!

Mike Moser
Chair, Nature Improvement Group
North Devon UNESCO Biosphere
January 2020