Last month I decided to start using my yoga to support a local charity, so I set up the Avon Wildlife Trust yoga fundraiser. This is a bit about why I choose them and how you can help.
Why I support the Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT)?
I think if this year has taught us anything it’s how much we appreciate and value our natural landscape and the wildlife found there. These places not only provide habitats for species that provide an important role in maintaining and securing our food chain (ie. think bees/ pollinating insects/ birds etc). But spending time in nature can also be beneficial to both our mental and physical health.
Sadly, at present 41% of species are currently in decline across the UK. With 15% of British wildlife now at risk of extinction. Earlier this year Bristol even declared an ecological emergency in response to escalating threats to wildlife and ecosystems. This highlights just has quick things have escalated and how urgent action is needed.
Someone once said to me, “We might be inheriting the planet from our Grandparents, but we’re also borrowing it from our Grandchildren.” . It’s very sad to know that many of the wildlife and nature spots we enjoy today will not be here for generations to come.
As custodians of these areas, it’s important to act now and do our part if we want our children and our grandchildren to have the same quality of life as we do. One simple thing we can do is support those local organisations, such as AWT that protect these wildness areas. This is particularly important now. This is when these charities need us most of all!
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on AWT and the work they can do. Due to COVID-19 activities that provide funding for the charity were cancelled. I attended this year’s AWT AGM which highlighted some of the financial challenges AWT will be facing. By supporting now, we can ensure they continue to protect these areas for us and our future generations to enjoy.
What AWT do?
Avon Wildlife Trust is the largest local charity working to protect wildlife and inspire people to do their bit in the West of England.
Three ways AWT have been protecting our nature:
- Creating ecological networks for people and wildlife so that threatened species can flourish and degraded ecosystems can be restored. Two examples are the Nature Recovery Network and the B-Lines network.
- The North Somerset Levels and Moors Restoration Project. An extensive area covering around 8,000 hectares of low-lying wetland next to the Severn Estuary and bordered by the Mendip Hills. Wetlands are important habitats for wildlife as well as providing carbon storage, allowing them to play an important role in climate change management.
- Ash dieback management – producing a strategy to mitigate the impact of ash dieback on our nature reserves.
AWT is also doing a lot of work around Bristol as part of their My Wild City campaign – restoring and protecting 8 urban green spaces. These spaces have been a haven for many families during COVID. Particularly during Lockdown, where these spaces have provided a bit of a sanctuary/ safe space for many.
What you can do?
Join and spread the word of my Avon Wildlife Trust yoga fundraiser classes – donations can be made here.
Check out any of the free courses, content, classes on my website or my YouTube channel. And show your appreciation by making a donation.
Checking out AWT – become a member, check out their shop, volunteer wth them, make a donation.