The Wildlife Trusts, a movement of 46 charities across the UK, are, like other charities dealing with unprecedented challenges caused by coronavirus. Restoring nature in the UK - one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world - has become harder than ever during the pandemic. At the same time, people are seeking solace in nature to relieve the hardships caused by lockdown.

Many Trust staff are furloughed, volunteers stood down and those that remain in post have found valuable time is being lost to an increase in illegal activities such as shooting and snaring and in this region, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is seeing an increase in rubbish dumped on its reserves as people used the lockdown to tidy houses, sheds and garages.

Meanwhile, vital conservation work has been put on hold - leading to an explosion of invasive non-native species, deterioration of rare wildflower meadows.

In this region, there is a potential threat to red squirrels due to a reduction in Red Squirrel Northern England’s grey squirrel control and the reintroduction of hundreds more water voles into the waterways of Kielder as part of Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Restoring Ratty project may be delayed.

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of the The Wildlife Trusts says: “People are discovering that they want and need to connect to nature more than ever – they’re finding solace at their local nature reserve, using our inspiration to help wildlife in their gardens and balconies which is essential to our mental health at this time.”

“But these are desperate times for our movement as income from visitor centres and fundraisers has crashed yet the demands of caring for thousands of nature reserves are higher than ever. We’re also heartbroken that so much valuable work restoring large areas of land has been put on hold and some species will lose out as monitoring and reintroduction programmes stall.”

“With the Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries Bills all now delayed, we have profound concerns about whether these critical pieces of legislation will become law and enforcement bodies in place before the Brexit transition period comes to an end on 31 December. The challenges faced by the natural environment have never been greater and we need both government and public support.”

In this region, Mike Pratt Chief Executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust says: “The work of The Wildlife Trusts is critical. We live in one of the most nature depleted countries in the world at a time when there’s a big public conversation about the importance of nature – and access to it – in our everyday lives. It feeds our souls and nourishes us in good times and in bad. Caring for nature benefits us all in many ways.”

“The Wildlife Trusts can be a vital part of our nation’s recovery from the current health crisis. Nature brings health benefits and offers solutions to the other great emergency facing humanity - climate change - so it must be protected and allowed to recover. I’d urge people to support us, Northumberland Wildlife Trust at www.nwt.org.uk.”