Wild Ideas for the Eastern Region- helping people and nature thrive

Shaun Thomas Director of Natural England for the Eastof England

‘When winter comes in earnest to fulfil,his yearly task, at bleak November

close,’

Quote from the poem November by John Clare.

Membership of the Biodiversity Forum

consists of:

• National, Regional and County Organisations

• Local Authorities

• Land Owners and Businesses

Regional Overview

Growth Areas

The role of the Biodiversity Forum

• A vital bridge between national policy and local activity.

• linking ‘top – down’ national policy to ‘bottom – up’ local action, steering the region’s contribution to UK biodiversity.

Some of the immediate challenges are:

• Protect and enhance biodiversity on land & sea.

• Encourage more people to enjoy and take action for their local biodiversity.

• Act sustainably by putting biodiversity at the heart of the policy agenda.

• Help biodiversity to adapt to climate change.

• Increasing biodiversity is part of the solution to achieving sustainable development in the East of England.

• This can only be achieved through working in partnership.

Finally ….

• This is a major opportunity to have your say and influence how the East of England meets these key challenges and opportunities for people and nature.