"What happens next is up to us" - Sir David Attenborough

We were at the Restore Nature Now march over the weekend, telling politicians loud and clear that we're 'hopping' mad with them for not standing up for nature. 

Restore Nature Now is thought to have been the biggest public demonstration in the General Election run-up, and the biggest gathering of people for nature and climate that the UK has ever seen.

Joined by our supporters, we travelled from Cornwall to London on a coach, fuelled by pasties to help with the early start. We took lots of posters and fancy dress with us to help make our point and stand up for nature.

It was incredible to see over 60,000 people, from 300 different organisations, saying loudly with one proud voice: no nature, no future! It showed the strength of public opinion on the need for stronger political action to tackle the nature and climate crisis. 

The march started at Park Lane and ended at Parliament Square, where thousands gathered to hear from the likes of Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin, Steve Backshall and the CEO and President of The Wildlife Trusts, Craig Bennett (you can watch the live stream here).

In a surprise appearance, three peregrines soared over the crowds in the square during the speeches!

The message was clear: both nature’s recovery and the climate crisis need to be high up on the agenda for our next elected officials.

The next government will be in power for much of the time between now and 2030, the date by which we want to see 30% of land and sea under good conservation management. Let’s hope our message was heard and will be taken seriously by our future government.