Safeguard recovering wildlife now: create a positive Coronavirus Legacy

As Spring approaches in the UK, the lockdown will mean less disturbance for wildlife in their natural habitat, which could allow it to thrive and recover, while also allowing the nation to reassess their relationship with nature.

People are increasingly aware of and connected to sustainability movements and the need to respond to the Government’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, as demonstrated perhaps most effectively on social media. Scores of accounts are visible encouraging safely reconnecting with nature in gardens or outside of windows and this reconnection might lead to a greater appreciation of our natural world and a desire to do more to protect and nurture it.

We ask the UK Government to take the opportunity now to ensure that a return to ‘business as usual’ mitigates damage to these emerging species and habitats and does not destroy nature’s hard work. The economic, community and wellbeing benefits to be realised from acting fast to identify, preserve, protect and enable nature to recover while we are protecting ourselves from virus is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Animals, insects, fish, flora and fauna do not need much time to recover, but they do require our cooperation. Coronavirus has forced people to self-isolate, reducing polluting activities and in these spaces, animals and insects may return.

We, the undersigned, ask DEFRA to act now to identify where wildlife is showing signs it is recovering or benefitting from the decline in human activity due to Covid-19 lockdowns. We request new measures to ensure this recovery can continue once normality resumes, thus creating a positive Coronavirus legacy.