Making Space for Nature

Nature Reports

State of Nature 2016  report is now available! The State of Nature Wales 2016 report is also available! 

Wales has identified a list of most threatened species of highest priority for biodiversity conservation. 575 species feature on the list of Welsh priority species, and 249 (43%) of them were assessed. Over the last decade 33% of these species have continued to decline and 43%  are stable or have showed little change in their status (i.e. they are still threatened with extinction). However, the outlook for 24%  has improved in the last ten years, largely due to either improved evidence and understanding or genuine recovery due to conservation effort. 

In 2013, the State of Nature report found that 60% of UK wildlife had declined in recent decades, and that more than 1 in 10 species were in danger of disappearing from our shores altogether. The 2015 Response for Nature - compiled by the UK's leading conservation bodies - reports that 88% of us feel that nature is essential not only for food, medicine and fuel, but to our well-being and quality of life. Here is a video of the Response for Nature 2015 report.



Natural Resources Wales - The State of Natural Resources Report
The State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) is the first report of its kind and the first statutory product coming out of the Environment Act, makes a direct link between the condition of our natural resources - our air, soil, water and the biodiversity that underpins them - and the impacts on people's health, economic prosperity and social wellbeing.

WWF Living Planet Report 2016
The Living Planet Report documents the state of the planet - including biodiversity, ecosystems, and demand on natural resources - and what it means for humans and wildlife. Published by WWF every two years, the report brings together a variety of research to provide a comprehensive view of the health of the earth. Populations of vertebrate animals - such as mammals, birds, and fish - have declined by 58% between 1970 and 2012. We're also experiencing the largest drop in freshwater species: on average, there's been a whopping 81% decline in that time period.
 

State of the World's Plants
A ground-breaking report highlighting the global status of plants, was released on 10 May 2016 to coincide with the first annual State of the World's Plants Symposium at the Royal Botanic Garden. The State of the World's Plants report will review the major issues affecting plant diversity and abundance and provide baseline data on important indicator metrics that will tell us how plants are faring and how this is changing over time. The symposium aims to take stock of the world's plant diversity, associated research and trends. 

Young people 'Vision for Nature' report
A Focus on Nature, an engaged group of young nature conservationists, launches its Vision for Nature report. The culmination of two years' work gathering views from over 200 people, the report reveals what the youth of today want to see in the natural world by 2050 and beyond, and some ideas for getting there. Calling for Government to set out a 250-year (not just 25-year) vision for nature, the report highlights 7 key recommendations for the next 7 Governments and how the youth of today are eager to work with governments, businesses and NGOs to make their vision a reality.

Get Involved!

Easy Wildlife Activities
Wild About Gardens is a partnership initiative between the Royal Horticultural Society  and the Wildlife Trusts. It offers a range of wildlife-friendly activities that can last from 2 hours to a weekend.  They include building bug hotels, creating compost piles or nectar cafes as well as specific actions to save 6 key priority Welsh species such as song thrush and hedgehog. 

Wildlife Ponds
The Royal Horticultural Society estimates that during the past century, nearly 70% of ponds have been lost from the UK countryside. This means that garden ponds and water features of all shapes and sizes have an increased importance for wildlife. The Sussex Wildlife Trust has produced a 4-minute step by step video guide of how to create a garden pond here and provides information sheets on planting and common problems.

Planting for Pollinators
The National Beekeeping Centre Wales provides advice on how your garden can provide an oasis for pollinators throughout the year and information about bees and bee-keeping. Further information, and links to courses, events and 19 local Bee-keeping Associations, is provided by the Wales Beekeeping Association.

Wildlife Rescue Centres:
Wildlife rescues covering South West Wales
Wildlife rescues covering South East Wales
Wildlife rescues covering Mid Wales
Wildlife rescues covering North East Wales
Wildlife rescues covering North West Wales