“Go back a hundred years & there was more wildlife in the Sid Valley.”
“What is the potential for beaver re-establishment?”
“The pine marten, a lost species of the Sid Valley, or merely never seen?”
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Whilst there is a lot of wildlife along the Sid Valley to celebrate and enjoy, it’s clear that we had much more, even in the midst of the Industrial Revolution:
From a century and a half ago, here’s a painting of the trees along the River by Constable [seventh and last child of John Constable RA]. What would the mix of trees have been then? The River Sid is home to a huge diversity of plant species – The Sid
Looking forward, today’s Observer points to the UN convention on biological diversity – part of the COP15 talks in Montreal – and the ambition to restore 30% of our natural habitats by 2030:
Britain is a vocal supporter of the global bid to return land to nature, but its record is dismal. Can it make up lost ground in time? … Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts says, “Without a target to improve our protected sites, the government has little hope of achieving its international commitment to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.” ‘We have a long way to go’: can the UK hit its ambitious 30% rewilding targets? | Rewilding | The Guardian
The article has just been posted on the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group’s facebook pages: (12) Sid Valley Biodiversity Group | Our series on the Lost Wildlife of the Sid Valley is gathering interest | Facebook
And in parallel on the SVBG’s website, there have been several excellent, well-researched pieces on the ‘lost wildlife of the Sid Valley’:
Go back a hundred years & there was more wildlife in the Sid Valley. It was recorded by people like Cullen & it’s found in various records. Further back the fossil record records even more species. This article explains more about the lost wildlife of the Valley. Lost Wildlife Of The Sid Valley – Sid Valley Biodiversity Group
Following River Sid beaver extinction in the16th century what is the potential for beaver re-establishment? Are they good for environment & when might they appear? This post explains how beavers will likely return and when! River Sid Beaver Extinction & Potential Re-establishment – Sid Valley Biodiversity Group
The pine marten, a lost species of the Sid Valley, or merely never seen? The Lost Pine Marten Of The Sid Valley – Sid Valley Biodiversity Group
Keep an eye on the SVBG’s media for more such insights into the Sid Valley’s ‘lost wildlife’ – and the potential for their return.
Meanwhile, here are some past pieces from these pages:
The ‘rewilding’ debate… – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Landscape Recovery: “rewilding landscapes” – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Bring Back Beaver: rewilding in Devon – Vision Group for Sidmouth