Wildlife Trusts launch Living Landscape campaign

Prominent figures from Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire Wildlife Trusts joined with senior representatives from all tiers of government to support the North West regional launch of the Wildlife Trusts’ Living Landscape campaign. Presenting the joint document, Sir Martin Holdgate, Chairman of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust Conservation Group (and former Department of the Environment Chief Scientist) said: “We are seeking a Living Landscape for a rich and diverse wildlife, and also a living landscape that enriches the lives of millions of people. We are fortunate, in the north west, in having some of the country’s finest scenery and most impressive natural habitats – but we cannot rest on our laurels. We have to integrate nature conservation, landscape conservation, farming and other land uses and prepare for changes in climate and social demand – and make sure that the joined-up effort of all conservation bodies leads to a joined-up policy that benefits wildlife and people. That is what this campaign is about.”

Joan Ruddock MP, Minister for Wildlife, was the keynote speaker. She said: “It is great to see the long term thinking in the North West Wildlife Trusts’ Living Landscape document. We know that climate change threatens much of our wildlife, and survival may require moving to new habitats – so I welcome the Wildlife Trusts’ approach. The new campaign draws on the experience of the 47 Wildlife Trusts, which have combined to define the future of wildlife conservation in England. They are urging government and local authorities to look at the big picture and create wildlife habitat on a landscape scale. The Government is also taking this approach. Looking at landscapes and their wildlife as a whole and how to conserve them, will be more effective than trying to conserve single species in isolation. I look forward to seeing future conservation successes of the Trust.”

Anne Selby, Chief Executive of Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “The time is long past when we can afford to tinker about the edges of conservation. We are still losing species at an unacceptable rate and this will only accelerate with global warming. We need to combine with other keepers of our national land bank, to create much larger habitats, linked by wildlife corridors, so that our remaining species can adapt and survive. This will only happen with the wholehearted support of all landowners and the proper protection of these sites.”

The Living Landscape document can be downloaded here (pdf format)

Joan Ruddock MP with representatives from lancashire, cumbria and cheshire wildlife trusts and forestry commission

Joan Ruddock MP admires an orchid at brockholes nature reserve

Joan Ruddock MP with children from Balshaws High School Wasp Club, Leyland

Wheels for Wildlife

With less than 2 days to go to our fundraising cycle rides in the Forest of Bowland , we hope you are fit and well and ready to go.

We will not be having a mass start for these events. Start times will be as follows:

Fanatics ride over the Trough of Bowland – 8.30am–10.30am
Fitness ride over Bleasdale – 9.00am–11.00am
Family ride to Little Town Dairies – 9.30am–11.00am

Event centre is: Preston College St Vincents Road Preston PR2 8UR

Car parking, toilet facilities and refreshments available from 8.00am.

Please make sure your bike is roadworthy.
We do request that you wear a cycle helmet for your chosen ride.

For those of you who have not set up a “justgiving” page it is easy to do by following the step by step guide given on the website www.justgiving.com and setting up your own dedicated fundraising page to forward electronically to family, friends and work colleagues.

We are wildlife’s main line of defence against habitat loss, monitoring planning applications and damage due to climate change; we educate and connect young people with the natural world.

In short, the world we leave to our children and grand children would be a much poorer place with less diversity and less wildlife.

The money you raise through your fundraising efforts will help us do even more to save wildlife.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 15th June

Going batty at Foxhill

©Tim Mitcham

Lancashire Wildlife Trust will be hosting a nighttime Bat Walk at Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve,on 6th June.

Foxhill Bank is a well known green haven in Oswaldtwistle and was recently filmed for inclusion in BBC's Springwatch programming.

The walk will be led by Steve Parker of South Lancashire Bat Group and will commence at 9.00pm, just in time for dusk, when the bats begin to fly.

Steve will give a short talk and will then demonstrate the use of bat detectors in the field.

These devices enable humans to hear the calls of the different bat species.

Participants should bring suitable clothing and footwear for the terrain and weather and a torch to help light the way.

The walk will commence from the Mill Hill entrance.

The event is free, but we will pass the hat around for voluntary donations to South Lancashire Bat Group at the end of the evening.

Booking is essential. Contact Sarah Turner on 07873 534250 or email sturner@lancswt.org.uk

First of the 2008 Badger run
Thanks to all those who took part in the first of the 2008 Badger run last night. Good weather ensured increased numbers for the first run of the series in this increasingly popular event.

With ideal conditions both men's and women's records were broken with Steve Littler of Wesham clinching the fastest time by 24secs from previous record holder Rick Hyman of Sale. At the early stages Steve had a minute lead and by the finish he was well over 2 mins ahead of second placed Gary Pennington, Preston Harriers.

The ladies race was smashed by international runner Anna Pichrtova of the Czech Republic. Anna is currently in the UK receiving treatment by Physiotherapist Denise Parks in preparation for the Ottawa marathon this weekend and a qualifying time for the Beijing Olympics. She ran a blistering 37mins 40secs to take 5th place overall behind Rossendale's star junior runner Joe Kelly. This is a record unlikely to be broken along with Anna's recently obtained 3 Peaks record where she broke Sarah Rowell's longstanding record of 12yrs.

Good to see so many new Badger runners and a huge influx of women runners. Please carry on spreading the word. Hope to see you all at the next event on Thursday 19th June.

We had no corporate teams for this first event and we have some lovely trophies to be won for a team comprising of one male, one female and one veteran runner. So come on, how about bringing along your workmates to clinch that title.

Talking of which, if you work in an organisation which may consider corporate membership then please get in touch with me and I will follow up any leads.

In the meantime we still have entries available in the Heaton Park 5km on Sunday 8th June should you wish to run for wildlife. www.doitforcharity.com/lancswildlifetrust.aspx

Last, but not least, if you are not a member of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and would like to join us click on link. www.lancswt.org.uk/Getting%20Involved/joinus.htm

Happy running,
Clare Kenny

Race Results

Run for your wildlife

Lancashire Wildlife Trust will host the first of our summer series of 10km charity Badger Run trail races around Cuerden Valley Park on the evening of Thursday 15th May. The series is sponsored by Neales Waste Management.

Anyone can take part by signing up on the night at the Trust’s headquarters, The Barn on Berkeley Drive, which is next to Cuerden Hall. Parking is free, entry costs £5.00 per runner and all proceeds go to help local wildlife. Changing facilities are available and marshals will guide runners around the course.

The event will commence at 7.30pm and the prize giving ceremony will take place at The Barn, at around 9.00pm.

Prizes have been kindly donated by Smile, Hilly, Walsh, Science in Sport and Sweatshop.

Clare Kenny, the Trust’s Fundraising Officer, said:” The last race of our 2007 series attracted over 150 runners, of all shapes and sizes from novices to champions. We hope all our previous supporters will come back and enjoy the 2008 series with us. New entrants can be assured of a warm welcome.”

Spectators are welcome to come along to enjoy the refreshments while they cheer the runners on.

Wildlife Trust gets a lift from bicycle company

Lancashire Wildlife Trust has received support from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative (EBC) in its efforts to promote the Wheels for Wildlife bike ride on June 15th. For the second year, EBC has come up trumps with 120 puncture repair kits, 75 sets of tyre levers and branded carriers.

Clare Kenny, the Trust's Fundraising Manager, said: "Once again EBC has entered into the spirit of this event. We are very grateful and hope that our members will return the favour by popping in to EBC's Manchester shop and letting them know how much we value their involvement."

If you would like to enter the Wheels for Wildlife ride, click HERE