A wildlife charity has issued a stark warning that just five years remain to reverse the decline in biodiversity.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust, which works to protect the county’s wildlife and restore its natural landscapes, launched its Mission 2030 campaign on Tuesday. The initiative aims to combat climate change and rebuild vital habitats, with a target to raise £1 million over the next three years.

Chief Executive Christine Luxton emphasised that public support is essential to safeguarding Suffolk’s natural heritage. She noted that even small actions—such as mowing lawns less frequently—can make a meaningful difference.

At the UN’s Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in 2022, countries committed to protecting 30% of the planet for nature by 2030.

But scientists warned last year that progress toward this target has been insufficient.

“We are now recognising we are halfway to 2030 and what we want to do is really try to ramp up our efforts as a county to try and get there,” Ms Luxton said.

“It’s something that’s about everyone playing their part and that for me is the joy of being a local wildlife charity.

“Wildlife didn’t disappear overnight all in one go, we lost it little by little, and actually, that’s how we can bring it back by everyone playing their part and that is what Mission 2030 is about.”

Ms Luxton explained that the charity’s £1 million goal would fund local nature advisors, helping to engage schools, communities, and businesses in conservation efforts.

She encouraged individuals to focus on the changes they can make—such as holding back on cutting the grass—stressing that “every little helps” when it comes to protecting nature.

“We can’t turn around the fortunes of nature by ourselves. What our role can be is to amplify nature’s voice and help everyone play their part,” Ms Luxton added.

“It’s like ripples in a pond, if we throw the stone, we want those ripples to spread out across the county and everybody to do their bit.

“Then collectively we get the shift we need for nature.”

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At Natural World Fund, we are passionate about restoring habitats in the UK to halt the decline in our wildlife.

 

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