More than 1,000 people head to Bristol for UK Wild Summit
Campaigners, politicians and environmental groups are coming together to call for urgent action to protect the UK's wildlife and natural world.
Last updated 1 day ago
More than 1,000 campaigners, politicians and community groups are gathering in Bristol today for the UK Wild Summit.
The event is being held at Bristol Beacon, bringing together people from across the country to discuss the future of nature and how to reverse the decline in wildlife.
The summit is organised by Wildlife and Countryside Link, with organisers hoping to send a clear message to the Government about the public support for protecting nature.
Richard Benwell, Chief Executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, says they want politicians to see just how many people care about the issue.
He said: “We want to do that by bringing together the wonderful nature restoration community... so that the government can see with absolutely no doubt how many people care about the future of nature in this country.”
Bristol has been chosen to host the summit for a second year, with organisers pointing to the city and the wider South West's work on nature restoration.
Benwell says the event will be both celebratory and political, with campaigners, environmental groups and politicians coming together to discuss what needs to happen next.
Political speakers at the summit include Green Party leader Zach Polanski, Liberal Democrat MP Pippa Heylings and Labour's Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, who are expected to face questions about what needs to be done to reverse the decline in nature.
Other speakers and campaigners include author and environmental campaigner Guy Shrubsole, alongside representatives from organisations including the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and Butterfly Conservation.
Organisers say this year's summit will focus on turning ambition into action, with a shared aim of reversing wildlife decline and putting nature higher on the political agenda.
Benwell says the recent extreme weather has also helped highlight the importance of tackling climate change and protecting the natural world.
He wants more people to play their part by speaking to their local councillors and MPs, supporting nature restoration projects, or simply getting out and enjoying the wildlife around them.