Froglife

Leaping forward for reptiles and amphibians

You are here: Home / Archives for Campaigns

Campaigns

It is Time to Turn the Tide on Nature Loss

by

Written by Gaia Busic: UK Youth for Nature 

“Biodiversity is essential to life on earth. It’s a well-honed system that has taken millions of years to evolve to what it is now. It’s easy to put the Biodiversity Crisis off to deal with another day, especially in the light of the terrible events happening around the world, but if we don’t act now, it will be too late”

  • Jenny Tse-Leon, Conservation, Evaluation and Research Manager at Froglife

 

In 2010 the UK, alongside 196 other countries, agreed upon the UN’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets which included aims to halt biodiversity loss by 2020. Nevertheless, in the past decade, the government has failed to meet most of these commitments, and the UK is faced with a staggering 41% of species declining in abundance with ‘no let-up in the net loss of nature’1. As we near the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15, the UK will attempt to set themselves apart as world leaders in nature restoration, setting the ‘30 by 30’ target; to protect 30% of the land and seas by 2030. However, after repeated failure delivering on past promises, how can we trust the government to priorities accomplishing these new targets and avoid another decade lost to nature?

In response to this crucial moment for future wildlife, the UK Youth for Nature team has launched a creative campaign alongside the RSPB, Froglife and other partners, to send a message to politicians and the public about the importance of nature recovery across our four nations. On the 23rd of March, artists from Sand in Your Eye created a spectacular 50ft sand drawing across Scarborough beach depicting an oak leaf, salmon, beaver, and curlew, incorporated into a silhouette of the UK.

As the tide came in that afternoon, there was soon no trace of the artistry that accomplished the colossal sand drawing gracing Scarborough’s shores that morning. A symbol of nature loss, the artwork’s disappearance marks what one day could be the loss of wildlife as we know it if real action is not taken.

The youth group was sending a message to politicians to set the target year 2025 to halt nature loss, ensuring its reversal by 2030. They also pointed out, that despite government claims of 26% UK land cover being classified as nature or protected, only 5% of these areas are in adequate condition to be classified as such4.

 “For years we’ve seen nature remain one of governments’ lowest priorities in the UK. When today’s young people are older, some of the most iconic species of the British countryside could already have been lost forever. Our drawing is a loud and clear message to our governments: this year the UN biodiversity conference is a once in a decade chance to set new global nature goals. Take that chance, then act to meet those goals.”

  • Talia Goldman, Co-Director of UK Youth for Nature

The species that were portrayed in the drawing are integral to a myriad of ecological services such as carbon sequestration, pollution reduction, climate control, flood prevention and maintenance of healthy oceans and soils, making their economic and social contributions invaluable2. The artwork represents biodiversity across the UK and the species were carefully chosen to include keystone, flagship, bioindicator and umbrella species. For example, the Eurasian beaver is a keystone species; this means their roles in the ecosystems they operate in is disproportionately valuable consequently, their disappearance would threaten their entire ecosystem’s functioning. Protecting these species can be beneficial to a range of reptiles and amphibia, which occupy those same ecosystems. Their reintroduction across the UK presents a huge conservation opportunity for common frogs and toads which dwell in the wetlands habitats beavers create. These ecosystem engineers can modify and restore the habitats of amphibians which are suffering dramatic population declines3.

The sand drawing was also sending a local message. Regional projects such as the Froglife ‘Yorkshire T.O.A.D’ campaign, which aims reduce the decline of toad populations, provides tailored solutions to local problems whilst promoting engagement in the surrounding area6. UK Youth for Nature intend on using their campaign to open a dialog in the local community and help develop policy in Yorkshire.

Where a breath-taking work of art once lay, a message of uncertainty for UK wildlife is all that remains. The youth of today are calling on governments to push nature up their priority lists and take meaningful action before it is too late to turn the tide on nature loss.

 

  1. 2020. A Lost Decade for Nature. [Online]. The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). [Accessed 18 March 2022]. Available from: https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/pa-documents/a-lost-decade-for-nature-2020
  2. 2022. 10 species that can help save the world. [Online]. Wildlife and Countryside Link. [Accessed 18 March 2022]. Available from: https://www.wcl.org.uk/10-species-that-can-help-save-the-world-launch.asp
  3. 2022. Beaver reintroduction in the UK. [Online]. [Accessed 25 August 2017]. Available from: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/policy-insight/species/beaver-reintroduction-in-the-uk/
  4. Amaral-Rogers., Ness. 2021. UK failing to protect land for nature. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).[Online]. [Accessed 25 August 2017]. Available from: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/policy-insight/species/beaver-reintroduction-in-the-uk/
  5. 2022. Achieving harmony with nature. [Online]. Wildlife and Countryside Link. [Accessed 18 March 2022]. Available from: https://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Achieving_harmony_with_nature_Summary_Report_February_2022.pdf
  6. 2022. Yorkshire Tails of Amphibian Discovery (T.O.A.D). [Online]. [Accessed 25 August 2017]. Available from: https://www.froglife.org/yorkshire-tails-of-amphibian-discovery-t-o-a-d/

Garden Ponds and Dogs

by

Back in 2020, our Come Forth for Wildlife team were working in Falkirk creating Neighbourhood Wildlife Corridors which are small features for wildlife that connect gardens to country parks and nature reserves (these are key in keeping our amphibian and reptile populations safe).

One particular household asked our team if it was possible to have a wildlife pond built, but to have some kind of prevention to discourage their dog from taking a swim. Staff member Chris leapt into action and started thinking up some ideas. Eventually, Chris settled on a small fence surrounding the pond which wasn’t accessible for the family dog, but left enough space for wildlife to get through.

Before During  After

 

I think we can all agree that this pond was definitely a success. You don’t even need to use commercial fencing, you can use alternatives such as willow fencing or thick hedges to keep your canine friends out of your wildlife pond. 

Don’t have the space or money for fencing? There are even more ideas that you can use to protect your pond:

  • Build a raised or ‘tub pond’
  • Strong mesh (5cm squared or more) dug into the ground 
  • Netting (more 5cm squared or more) pulled tight and staked to prevent wildlife becoming tangled. 
  • You can even get fancy with some pond covers from your local garden centre 

For more information on building a wildlife pond, read our Just Add Water guide.

You can also find out more information on our #pawsagainstponds campaign here.

#pawsagainstponds Campaign

by

During April, we will be running our #pawsagainstponds campaign! Britain is a nation of dog lovers, there are over 12 million in the UK and here at Froglife we love our furry friends, in fact many of our staff and volunteers are dog owners themselves. However, dogs swimming in ponds can have negative impacts on wildlife and we want to focus on reducing this and raising awareness of the issue.

Keeping dogs out of ponds used by amphibians for breeding is important for three reasons:

  • Dogs swimming and paddling in ponds can stir up sediment, blocking out valuable sunlight for aquatic plants and spawn/tadpole development.
  • Trampling spawn, tadpoles and froglets/toadlets
  • Spot-on flea treatments can have a devastating impact on aquatic ecosystems. If dogs go into ponds shortly after treatment, the powerful pesticides can kill the insect life within the pond. You can find further information on the British Veterinary Association’s webpage here. 

There can also be negative impacts on dogs including:

  • Illness and risk of death from blue-green algae. Please read the British Veterinary Association’s article on the subject (with advice on what you can do to prevent your dog from becoming ill) here
  • Injuries from hidden hazards below the water
  • Infections from existing cuts and injuries or ones sustained whilst in the water  

If you see a pond that is well planted and appears to be a designated wildlife habitat, try to keep your dogs away or even better, on a lead, particularly in spring when amphibians will be breeding and in the summer when young amphibians will be leaving their ponds for terrestrial habitats.

Ziggy being a very good girl!

What alternatives are there?

We still want dogs to enjoy water, but we want to keep wildlife as well as the dogs themselves safe when doing so. There are some brilliant alternatives to swimming in wild water including:

  • ‘Dog swim days’ You can check outdoor pools in your area to see if they provide this service. There are some great suggestions here. 
  • Head for the beach! Remember to check if dogs are allowed on your chosen beach before travelling
  • Sourcing an old paddling pool or sandpit and making a doggy pool in the comfort of your own garden
  • Play with sprinklers- hook one up to your hosepipe and watch your dog enjoy it- you could even join in with them! (be aware of local hosepipe bans in the summer months before doing this)
  • Give them an outdoor bath- if you’ve been on a walk and your doggo is a bit dusty/dirty you can bathe them in the garden. Make it fun by adding their favourite toys and don’t forget a nice treat for afterwards

 What you can do to help the #pawsagainstponds campaign:

  • When walking your dog near wild water, please keep them on a lead
  • Use alternatives to swimming in wild water (mentioned above)
  • When building a wildlife pond, consider creating natural fencing (hedges, willow fencing) to prevent your dog from taking a swim. More info here
  • Spread the word! Please share our social media posts and tell your family and friends about the campaign

Further reading:

Here are some useful articles on dogs in ponds

 

Healthy Environment Petition: Scotland

by

Sign the petition for a human right to a healthy environment in Scotland

Everyone in Scotland deserves to live in a healthy environment. That is why the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland has launched a petition for an enforceable human right to a healthy environment to become part of Scots law.

The Scottish Government will consult on a new Human Rights Bill in the coming year. The right to a healthy environment must remain a top priority and be included as robustly as possible. We are proud to have signed up to the petition as an organisation.

The petition will stay open throughout 2022 and will be used to show the Scottish Government the strength of support. 

How You Can Help:

Please take a moment to sign the petition.

Once you have signed it, please feel free to share it among your networks.

Open NGO letter responding to 7th QQR consultation.

by

28th January 2022

Dear JNCC, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and NatureScot,

Re: 7th Quinquennial Review (QQR) of Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981)

We are writing this open letter in response to the consultation about proposed changes to the eligibility and decision criteria to determine which species will be included on Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as outlined in the 7th Quinquennial Review (QQR7) consultation document.

Since our previous letter sent in June 2021, we appreciate the extension made to the consultation period, the initiation of stakeholder meetings, the subsequent amendments made to the QQR7 proposals and the broadening of the consultation to include the eligibility and decision criteria. However, we stand by our original objections, notably that the definition of endangerment within the eligibility criteria must not be narrowed to exclude Vulnerable (VU) species.

  • Listing only Critically Endangered (CR) and some Endangered (EN) species is counter to the accepted notion that Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable species are all considered at risk of extinction.
  • All species in these Red List categories need urgent conservation action and attention
  • The proposal is counter to the aims of new Environment Act in England which aims to halt the decline of species by 2030 as well as the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Recovery Action Plan for Wales and the Nature Positive 2030 report
  • Restricting the number of species listed on Schedules 5 & 8 will be detrimental to Great Britain’s biodiversity and efforts to restore it
  • Exclusion of species from the Schedules risks their status worsening before the next QQR, which is arguably more costly in terms of time and money required to restore Critically Endangered species thereafter. The more cost effective option would be to prevent less critical species reaching that point. This is particularly pertinent in the face of the current Biodiversity Crisis exemplified by widespread, once-common but declining species such as hedgehogs and toads.

Limiting the criteria to CR and EN species, and then making a series of ‘special cases’ for retaining selected species categorised as Vulnerable, Near Threatened and Least Concern, presents an inconsistent rationale that undermines the Red Data listing system. For example, the list of species proposed for retention on Schedules 5 and 8 includes 74 (roughly 25%) that would not meet the new eligibility criteria; this inconsistency surely weakens the argument for changing the criteria.

Whilst the eligibility criteria appear to identify species based on their conservation status and need, the proposed changes to the decision criteria will limit applications that have any positive conservation impact. The suggested definition of ‘place of shelter’ for animals appears to narrow the scope for interpretation of a species’ needs to survive:

  • The use of the word ‘permanently’ is inappropriately restrictive given that many species depend upon multiple sites to rest or nest, moving frequently (e.g. dormice, harvest mice) or lack clearly defined territories (e.g. hedgehogs)
  • The use of the word ‘regularly’ is unhelpful and ambiguous; without frequent and regular monitoring of sites, how will the regularity of the use of a site be established?

We would like formally to state our joint position that the proposed changes to the eligibility and decision criteria as defined for the 7th Quinquennial Review (QQR7) for adding species to Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are not fit for purpose. If adopted these changes would inevitably weaken efforts to address the current Biodiversity Crisis and undermine the new aims of the Environment Act in England. We urge you to adopt a new approach that is unambiguous and supportive of efforts to reverse declines in biodiversity, with broader criteria rather than making cases for exceptions.

We await your response.

Yours Sincerely,

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC)
Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK)
A Rocha UK
Badger Trust
Bat Conservation Trust
Biological Recording in Scotland (BRISC)
Black2Nature
Born Free Foundation
British Dragonfly Society
British Ecological Society
British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS)
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
British Trust for Ornithology
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Butterfly Conservation
Citizen Zoo
CPRE Kent, the countryside charity
Dumfries and Galloway Pine Marten Group
Freshwater Habitats Trust
Friends of Glasgow’s Local Nature Reserves
The Froglife Trust
Glasgow Natural History Society
Hare Preservation Trust
Institute of Fisheries Management
Knepp Estate
The League Against Cruel Sports
The Mammal Society
Marine Conservation Society
Naturewatch Foundation
OneKind
People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)
Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK)
Rewilding Britain
RSPB
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
Salmon & Trout Conservation
Scottish Badgers
Scottish Wild Land Group (SWLG)
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Trees for Life
Wales Environment Link
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)

Wildlife and Countryside Link
Wild Justice
Wildlife Gardening Forum
The Wildlife Trusts
Wildlife Trusts Wales
The Woodland Trust
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

It is a COP OUT!

by

Froglife shares the frustration of many of our supporters that World Leaders did not set binding targets to keep global temperature rises below 1.5 degrees at COP26. We keep saying it is time to stop talking and to take action, yet once again World Leaders failed to do this. Reptiles and amphibians are disproportionately impacted by climate change and global warming. Here we are in November, approaching winter in the UK, and due to the mild weather, we are still receiving reports of amphibians spawning.  They should be hibernating and as they are not they will not have stored sufficient energy for the effort of spawning next spring. We cannot reach the 1.5 degrees unless we address the many other elements that are having a negative impact on climate such as coal mining.

Our leaders may have let us down and not taken negotiations far enough but so many more people are now on board and we have to take this movement further to push our governments to do more. 

We want to reassure all of our supporters that Froglife will continue with the battle to conserve the UKs reptile and amphibian species.  We will, through our extensive programme of habitat works, continue to create and restore vital habitats for the species that we represent.  We will continue our work in engaging with wide ranging audiences in order to ensure that as many people as possible can help us with this battle.

We appreciate the huge support that we got from our supporters leading up to and during COP26 and we will harness this support. We want to thank all of those who sent in their messages to world leaders. We are pleased with the outcome from the stand that we had in the green zone at COP26, where we certainly raised awareness of the importance of smaller freshwater habitats (ponds, ditches, small lakes and lochs).  We are thrilled to have heard from so many people who took direct action by building ponds and improving habitats to help our reptiles and amphibians.

We are better together and if COP26 highlighted one thing it is the global concern about climate change and urgency to stop the destruction of our world.  We cannot wait any longer for the 1.5 degrees target to be reached.  We must collectively continue to ensure that we reach this target.

Our stand in the Green Zone at COP26

Please click "Accept" to use cookies on this website. More information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close