60,000 people say: Restore Nature Now!

On Saturday, more than 60,000 people marched through the streets of London with a simple message to our leaders and politicians: Restore Nature Now!

This was the biggest gathering of people for nature and climate the UK has ever seen.

We were there in force, with a fantastic show of support from Sussex Wildlife Trust staff, volunteers, members and supporters helping our block to make plenty of noise for nature! We marched alongside friends from Wildlife Trusts across the country, as part of a coalition of 300 organisations united under the same urgent call to action. There was an overwhelming sense of community and collaboration.

The march was noisy, vibrant, empowering and fun. Our purpose was clear, the speakers were inspirational, the atmosphere was incredible. Yes, there was anger, frustration and heartbreak about the state of our natural world - but also hope, energy and huge appetite for change.

We know there is an alternative. If the political will existed, we could meet the 2030 nature targets and restore nature at a landscape scale. We can bring back the UK’s lost wildlife; we can change the way that we farm and fish so that methods are truly sustainable. We can clean up our rivers and seas, and we can make polluters pay. We can leave fossil fuels in the ground and move rapidly towards renewable energy. We can restore nature, and we need to do it now.

With the General Election now less than two weeks away, the march couldn’t have been more timely. Our message couldn’t be clearer. But will politicians listen, and do they really care?

Let them know that you do – take action for nature today by contacting your election candidates via our simple e-action and let them know why nature matters to you. After all, without nature there will be no food; no water; no fresh air; no wellbeing; no joy; no home; no life.

We need to use our voices now more than ever before. Ask your candidates what they will do to restore nature, rate your satisfaction with their answers, and most importantly – vote for nature on 4 July.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, and to everyone who would have marched if they could. 

Photo: Henri Brocklebank

Photo: Gemma Pratt

Photo: Katie Parker

Photo: George Short

Photo: Katie Parker

Photo: Maria Jonsson

Photo: Pip Newby