Stepping stones enable wildlife to dodge danger

Mar 14 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

Environment Editor Tony Henderson on why wildlife experts are now thinking big.

A SWEEPING new approach to conservation in the North East will be launched next week. The Living Landscapes strategy is the biggest joint effort ever mounted by the region’s Northumberland, Durham and Tees Valley wildlife trusts.

The trusts, which have 23,000 members and 98 nature reserves between them, will target the wider North East landscape.

Chris Packham, writer, broadcaster and naturalist, will launch Living Landscapes at The Sage Gateshead on Tuesday.

The aim is to improve large areas of the region for wildlife, communities and the economy.

One of the objectives is to create links between nature sites, various types of landscape and to improve access for people.

The strategy will make it easier for wildlife and plants to move as the effects of climate change are felt.

Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: “In the North East we have a lot of urban areas along river corridors as well as great landscapes like the coast and the uplands.

“Living Landscapes will join up the dots and expand those dots.

“The project will work on a landscape scale. It is time to think big.”

The venture will see the trusts working with farmers, landowners and a wide range of other organisations.

“We will be trying to reach a wider audience in terms of wildlife and climate change,” said Mike.

“As climate change happens, wildlife will also need to change and adapt. But a lot of landscapes and habitats are fragmented and we want to connect them up by measures like wildflowers on road verges, planting tree corridors and creating wetlands.