Nature conservation is the topic of conversation
Exploring more of the world of nature found on our doorsteps has helped many of us through a difficult year – and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s senior conservation manager David Cadman is keen to encourage people to continue nurturing this important connection with nature.
He has been full-time working for the charity – committed to protecting the county’s wildlife and wild places for more than half a century – since 2003, having started out as a volunteer two years previously.
“I started as a volunteer in 2001 which is generally how the majority of our staff beginand I became a full-time member of staff in 2003,” he said. “Nature conservation is something you can only fully learn through experience. You can learn a bit at university but it doesn’t replace field skills and prolonged experience,” says David.The trust cares for 30 different nature reserves. David’s job is to ensure, with the help of his 20-strong team, that these continue to thrive for generations to come.
He also works with landowners, local authorities and government agencies to improve habitats, increase biodiversity and find natural solutions to prevent the risk of flooding. “One of the big objectives at the moment is creating a Nature Recovery Network in the county,” he said. “This is essentially a map of the county showing whether habitats and species are abundant or scarce, so we know where we need to create new habitats or extend existing habitats.
“Habitat sites are increasingly isolated so we are trying to connect these up to give wildlife more space to move around,” he added.As part of the project, the charity wants to rebuild society’s connection to the natural world by bringing wildlife closer to people.
“We want people to continue to connect with nature so they will want to help us protect it,” said David. He said there were many ways for families and individuals to play a role in making space for nature in their own gardens. “It can be as simple as planting some wildflowers in the garden for the bees and butterflies, planting a tree. Instead of having manicured lawns, hold back on the grass management to, providing space for insects or incorporate a little pond in your garden,” he said.
Another way to get involved in helping to benefit local wildlife is reporting sightings of species to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
