ALL RISE!! Follow Your Natural Instincts!! - ALL is not well on Planet Earth!!!

Remember the recent Winter Storms? How can the UK coastal and flood-plain communities, that were affected, ever forget?

Now Let's go back to September 2006. George Monbiot from the excellent Guardian Environment team highlighted "The Denial Industry" - a network of fake citizens' groups and bogus scientific bodies that set back action on Climate Change by 10 years!

Have the "powers that be" learned, after tens of thousands suffered misery this winter (Sceptics: SHUT UP!!...750,000 homes lost power!!)? Despite the suffering, MPs have criticised the BBC for "false balance" in its Climate Change coverage!!

As you are aware, we halted ALL work on our local nature networks at the end of January this year. We were witnessing too much destruction and disregard for nature. MMNN Action UK was formed.

We want to send out warm thanks to over 4,000 individuals and organisations, that have joined us in a little over two months! You have more than justified our decision. Not only that, the interactions have COMPLETELY changed the format for our networks.

We have decided to produce a summary of our proposed methodology NOW. The reason is simple....Mankind does not have any time left to mess around. Almost a whole WASTEFUL decade has passed since George Monbiot's article.

Derby City Councillors marched all over The Sanctuary LNR, IGNORING public opinion. The Badger Cull is set to continue, IGNORING MPs AND PUBLIC OPINION. Ancient Woodland is now threatened in Sheffield, using the MONSTER that IS BIODIVERSITY OFFSETTING.

Let us be clear! This is not just a group of tree-huggers ranting on about Climate Change and the loss of cute animals. Our FOOD, WATER, AIR and HEALTH are at risk. Why? Well NATURE provides all of these - and we are destroying it, whilst consuming natural resources at a GROSSLY UNSUSTAINABLE rate. Ask the reapers of this world destruction what their answer is and they simply DON'T HAVE ONE!

Well, among us walk heroes and heroes in waiting, if only they can be well informed so that they can see and feel what we do. Hands up if you know what ECOSYSTEM SERVICES are? Hands up again if you know what NATURAL CAPITAL is?

Don't worry! If you don't know! It's simply because YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD!

Well check out the importance of NATURAL CAPITAL here and here

For ECOSYSTEM SERVICES check out the Governments information here (under "Farming" and produced for the Policy and decision makers that have done such a good job at looking after our children's world) You will find a more "user-friendly" explanation of ECOSYSTEM SERVICES here

Now! hands up if you think that these two terms are CRITICAL to us and our future generations!! Great!! ALL of you!! Now it's class over and get out there and change the world!!.... NO! sorry wait I haven't quite finished yet. We understand War, why didn't anybody bother telling us about NATURAL CAPITAL and ECOSYSTEM SERVICES?

Princess Anne will get to appear on the BBC to say that gassing Badgers, a practice that was outlawed in 1982 as being cruel, slow and ineffective, is acceptable, and yet there is not one single broadcast, health publication or government campaign that explains, to the masses, the VITAL LINK between biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and the survival of mankind!

Silver-linings........

Thank you Mid-Sussex District Council for saving Penland's farm and for listening to the community!

Thank you Babergh District Council, for also listening, and for setting a precedent where building developments in the exciting area of Renewable Energy MUST be appropriate to their sites.


To North Lanarkshire Council...please look at the children and families that are fighting to save their precious community green space. Industrial Units vs Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services ? it's an easy choice isn't it?

So here comes the summary of our methodology for the creation of local nature networks. There are several key players here:

1. YOU! YES YOU! You heard what I said! You don't need the cape or the mask (Although that suit looks cheeky and fun!), you are already the hero. You have the heart, you have the mind, you have a family to protect and you have the freewill and power to vote in the right guardian for mankind and nature.

2. The Wildlife Trusts. We have identified this group of 47 separate local trusts as being the critical protective wrapper in our networks. They watch over so many of our community spaces and reserves, and on the geeky ECOLOGY side, they help to protect and improve so much land area across "wild Britain" which is off reserve.They are not alone - there is a vast array of wildlife charities that look after everything from Mosses to top predators in the UK, doing their best to hold the fabric of nature together. They ALL need our support and participation (You can find most of them at the back of the STATE OF NATURE report here)

3. Natural England. Often misunderstood, we must appreciate that their role is purely one of ADVISER to the government. Therefore, their effectiveness as "wildlife-warriors"  is dependent on how green the "suits" at the top are, as voted in by YOU.

4. Green Councillors and MPs. Find them and support them! The stone is hard to shift at first, but these are the real "action heroes", fighting within a political system, which history and the STATE OF NATURE report shows to be inherently destructive. It is these protectors for the people that will get the ball rolling. Please don't fall for that UKIP "people's party" rubbish. Read how much they cared about flood defences, whilst wading  through the floods this year here. Poor quality link? Well take a quick look at the Financial Times here. Oh and banning all teaching of global warming being caused by carbon dioxide emissions - good look with that one! Bad link again? Well try this one. Don't let frustration cast your vote into the unknown come May 22nd 2014. If you are serious about climate change and the good of all, take a look at this broadcast from The Green Party and study their vision for Britain here. By the way, we are not attached to ANY political party, and will crowd fund to maintain our independence in the future! In fact, as regulars are aware, we are watching with interest the "Green in Red" political movement. Everyone has a chance... but nobody will have a chance unless NATURE has a strong political representation soon. The Green Party have helped MMNNActionUK.

5. Project Maya - Scientists on a mission to save the world, using the principles of Permaculture. Perhaps the best way to demonstrate the power of permaculture is to look at the work of Sepp Holzer who was applying these techniques to farming almost 50 years ago, long before the term itself was created:

Permaculture goes way beyond farming methods - it is a way of life, from living roofs and recycling to running community "eco" shops and providing for the poor and needy: a pure life of harmony between communities and nature, for the good of all.

We would strongly advise that everyone learns more about this movement and spreads the word. You can find out more by visiting The Permaculture Association UK site here and The Project Maya site here. In case you were wondering whether permaculture can survive in the world of economics, please take a look at the work of Brett Scott here

In 2010, The Telegraph explained why Permaculture is more relevant than ever here

Now to reveal the model which is designed to help the NGOs and green communities to quite literally SAVE THE WORLD!!:

Our MMNN Action UK campaign is revealing time after time, the need for community groups to work with the wildlife NGOs. This will provide a ring of steel to add to the community's own passion and conviction with regard to the protection of green spaces. All groups should find and engage their local Wildlife Trust as a matter of course here. Anyone at Sanctuary LNR Derby, will vouch for the importance of such an association. Don't wait for a threat to arise, because in most cases, this is TOO LATE.

In addition form a harmonic bond with nature by declaring your community green spaces as "Maya Reserves". This will extend community benefits, provide a sustainable society for future generations and attract greater participation and support for your valued sites, no matter how big or small they are (even a roof-top garden qualifies for Maya reserve status, if it is valued and enjoyed by a community).

Between now and the May elections, we are remaining focused on our MMNN Action UK campaign.

To all readers that care for nature and a secure future for people and planet, we would really appreciate your help in 3 areas:

1. Provide feedback, either by way of comment on this blog, or by email to mmnnactionuk@gmail.com. This will be extremely useful when we get back to work on our local networks.

2. Use your voice and vote for nature and for those Councillors and MEPs that will give nature a strong voice and so protect the world for our family lines. Don't throw votes at those who are just hoping to benefit from voter frustration.

3. If you do agree with our methods, then there is no need to wait for us. The method is there. Go, armed with the understanding of nature's TRUE worth to protect and enhance your beautiful and important green spaces. If you don't have a community group, then form one. There is plenty of help around you.

David Cameron talked of the "Big Society". Such a shame that a "Big Society" will now rise mainly to SAVE THE WORLD!! Heroes in waiting...the lot of you.......

Mr. Cameron....please help two "Big Societies" - Save Smithy Wood, Sheffield and Viewpark Glen, North Lanarkshire....both communities have produced their visions....it just needs you to win our hearts by listening to them. Intervention commands respect when it is done for a gallant cause. Get a proper debate on the Badger Cull, where all reports and scientific documents are made available please. Saving our vanishing grasslands  and protecting Ancient Woodlands would represent major steps towards your 2020 biodiversity commitments as well! A hero in waiting for the good of all?

Mankind and Nature - Can Old Friends Form a New Bond for a Bright Future?

The present and the future: but just how bright can we make that future?

A few things, it seems, are meant to be. I set out to take a look around Clayhanger Marsh SSSI and Ryders Mere, with thoughts of mankind's tendency for destruction etched on my mind.

The reports are out on the trial Badger culls and they don't look too clever.

Sanctuary Local Nature Reserve (LNR) suffered destruction for a cycle track (Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are contesting this decision, which could potentially affect ALL LNRs. To all those who CAN see the importance of over 1500 LNRs across the country, please support the trust and get involved here).

Looking forward, the High Speed Rail 2 project (HS2), which would create a trail of destruction right across the country is sat on a rather bleak horizon for nature in the UK (Please help The Woodland Trust secure protection for ancient woodland and an open discussion on HS2 ).

All of this was replaced by light, as I fell under the spell of passionate local wildlife blogger, Chaz Mason. For the next four hours, I was treated to a tour of a very special West Midlands site, by someone who was completely at one with the wildlife and landscape there. This intoxicating blend of knowledge and range of species, habitats and scenery also got the heart of  nine year old wildlife enthusiast Aryan, racing.

The purpose of my visit to Clayhanger was three fold. Firstly I wanted to visit a site that was representative of the vast majority of the UK, having no wardens or onsite conservation team, and falling under ownership, where wildlife preservation was not the primary interest.

Secondly, I wanted to measure the scale of the challenges facing special wildlife sites (in this case an SSSI and a SINC), and those whose duty it is to protect them (in this case Natural England and Walsall Council).

Thirdly I wanted to get a feeling for how a local nature network could act as a catalyst to help improve the biodiversity across a patch, where there was what I would call a "guardian" in place (in this case, the passionate character that is Chaz Mason).

At this point, I was considering providing loads of information here to demonstrate just how important Clayhanger Marsh and the immediate surrounds are to wildlife. However there is little point in reinventing the wheel. If you spend a short while looking through Chaz's blog you will soon appreciate the rich variety of flora and fauna that exists there.

To get a feel for the site, I have, instead provided a quick pictorial tour:

Scrubland: Don't show this area to Derby City Council
- they will offer it as compensation for destroying Skylark habitat!!!

To the right, Clayhanger Marsh SSSI and to the left, land
without a wildlife designation -neither area is owned by
 council or wildlife organisation.

The view across Clayhanger Marsh SSSI - an acidic "island"
creating a unique habitat, requiring protection.

Man and Nature - Geology produces unique soils, and man creates
 the mounds from mining activity. Careful management and grazing regimes
 are required to keep nature smiling here.

A Yellowhammer - just one of a whole list of species
that are in heavy decline, locally and nationally

Ryders Mere - without designation and without protection.
This wetland forms an important connection with other local sites such as Chasewater.
 Species such as Wigeon can gather in important numbers, showing the importance
of the ecological network and connectivity between sites.

Coppice Wood SINC - an excellent example of conservation in progress.
Please note the young lad who is captivated by Clayhanger's local guardian
 and the beauty of nature!

A fantastic demonstration of the importance of management.
The woodland edge has been cleared and the canopy opened,
but deeper into the wood, you can see what it would have
 looked like, without intervention.

Adjacent farmland. The presence of stubble, set aside and caring hedgerow
management were witnessed along the walk - all signs of a desire to farm with nature.

Connectivity - It's not just waterfowl that rely on a network of similar habitat.
It is important that populations of plant species don't become isolated.
 It was therefore great to take a quick look at Jockey Fields SSSI on the tour.

More evidence of a caring farmer - permissible footpaths, allowed us
 to encounter a Yellowhammer getting his song right for the breeding season,
and to drop onto a couple of Lesser Redpoll in a mature hedgerow,
after lifting off a stubble field with a flock of Goldfinch.

Heaven for small mammals to the right and a sewage works to the left -  known to provide
 shelter and feeding opportunities for a range of wildlife

So, let's see what we have here! a range of habitats, a massive variety of species, a passionate blogger, a caring farmer, Walsall Council, Natural England, public rights of way across land that is privately owned and leased out to other interested parties. So how is nature faring?

Well unfortunately, the wildlife records for this beautiful and varied site, reflects the national trend, as summarised in that amazing document that drove me to create the Moving Mountains Nature Network - "STATE OF NATURE" (A groundbreaking report created by our amazing wildlife organisations in partnership. Please at least read the forward by David Attenborough - guaranteed to make you hear the alarm bells).

So what is the problem? Well you will see from the "State of Nature" Report that the contributing factors are wide, complex and also, to some degree, uncertain.

Council's? Well we spent three months engaging directly with councils. Their parks and biodiversity officers are passionate about wildlife, so please don't think there is a "could not care less" attitude here! Also, by way of example, just take a look at the number of SINCs and SLINCS that Walsall Council are responsible for, and then add to this the parks and reserves that also fall under their wing. This is a massive undertaking, and the resources available to them depend on decisions made much higher up the ladder.

Natural England? Well again their officers are passionate, and were extremely helpful to us last year as we set out on this journey. Again this organisation functions in accordance with decisions made by those MP's that are voted in. Natural England is THE GOVERNMENT'S ADVISOR, not decision maker!

Farmers, land owners and tenants? Unfortunately people in business get out of bed primarily to make money. The only way that financial decisions can be swayed by nature, is if it's TRUE VALUE is presented in a compelling manner. It is simple really; without fully functional ecosystems, our water, food, health and stable weather systems are under threat. David Cameron himself recently admitted that climate-change is one of the most serious threats that we face! How many people have heard of and understand the value of Natural Capital? Such an important term should be part of every day conversation!!

Let us take a quick look at where we started. The Badger Cull was started DESPITE the evidence presented by scientists. David Attenborough, above all people was also ignored in October 2013.

Sanctuary LNR fell by the voting of local Councillors, despite the significant opposition from wildlife NGO's and the general public. The offer of non suitable scrubland that already exists and deserves protection in it's own right as compensation for lost Skylark habitat, just shows how little nature is valued by those in power. Our world is being destroyed by the decision-makers.

HS2? Well, withholding information, and failing to invite scientists and wildlife organisations to the table. Are you seeing a pattern yet?

I hate this term but it's the best way to sum up the situation; SUPPLY AND DEMAND. Our Moving Mountains Action UK initiative is highlighting the fact that at present less than 0.02% of the population in the UK that are eligible to vote actually use their "voice" on wildlife issues. How can we expect the greenest government ever, if this is the scale of the green vote?

HS2? Well the wildlife organisations, as mentioned earlier are trying their best to get the decision makers around the table with them to discuss a project that already has failed to convince on providing any real net benefit. This is the case before the damage to nature is truly factored into that evaluation.

The May elections represents an opportunity for change. If two million members of wildlife organisations, plus all those others that do see the importance of protecting the planet, vote for their greenest local candidate, then change will start taking place.

In Chaz Mason and the thousands of other volunteers that are working for nature across the UK there is massive potential to halt the decline in flora and fauna. However they need support from others around them.

Now let's get back on the ground at Clayhanger Marsh and Ryders Mere. In over four hours, we met only two couples, who showed an interest in wildlife. As is often the case elsewhere, they were both dogwalkers! Chaz is too modest for his own good, but I bet most of the interest shown by local residents at this site has been encouraged by his work and engagement with people.

So whilst the green vote rises, what can nature networks do to raise awareness "on the ground"?

Well let us see! We are arranging a walk that will aim to achieve the following:

1. Raise awareness of the STATE OF NATURE in general.
2. Raise awareness of the beauty and importance of Clayhanger Marsh, Ryders Mere and their surrounds to the community, not only as a site of importance to wildlife, but also as part of the network that provides us with our essentials for life itself.
3. Raise awareness of the incredible contribution that wildlife volunteering makes to society and security for generations to come. By attaching to Walsall Council and the local wildlife groups, this will increase the human resources available for essential conservation work.
4. Raise a community fund: 25% of which will assist a very friendly farmer who has certainly, based on my "cold-call" visit earned respect, and built a desire to help them with their ambition to farm with nature.25% will go to conservation works across the site, so that Walsall Council, Natural England and local wildlife groups can have a go at protecting that massive species list that Chaz has displayed on his blog. 50% will be used for school and community projects, which will serve to help sew a seed for the future.
5. Provide a platform for the creation of a local nature network that brings green technology, businesses (via a "buy healthy - buy local" campaign), community and nature together for a sustainable future.

Young Aryan certainly enjoyed his visit, and for that I extend warm thanks to Chaz Mason. Any local groups that see this article and want to start the ball rolling on engagement with the Clayhanger community would do well to go and have a word with Chaz. For four hours solid I watched him captivate a young heart and fill it with knowledge, excitement and adventure. Simply incredible.

Oh and one last thing that I feel was meant. When I got Aryan back into Birmingham, we went to the NEW LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM. This is an incredible example of what mankind can create FOR mankind. On entering the building, you immediately feel at one with it and inspired to learn.

Here was a fine example of what can be achieved. A massive pool of knowledge exists within the magnificent building. Please please please, Councillor's, MPs and other decision makers - listen to the academia. Whether its Badgers, Ecosystems or Natural Capital, draw on their wisdom and protect the world for Aryan's generation. Voters?... well I think you know what you need to do, come May.

The library reminded me of the incredible perfection seen in nature:

Termite mounds- complete with farms, nurseries, and air conditioning systems

Just imagine what we could do for this world if man and nature could join forces in perfect harmony?

( For details on how to achieve this harmony, please study permaculture, and visit Project Maya's brand new site!!)

UPDATE: Destruction of The Sanctuary Local Nature Reserve Changes Timetable for Local Networks

On 13th August 2013 the Moving Mountains Nature Network was "born".

We spent the first two months contacting councils in order to present our aims and take note of the constructive comment that flowed from passionate biodiversity officers across the country.

Our initial plan was to work outwards and create an increasing number of local nature networks across the country that would eventually meet to form a national network. We could then influence UK policy in order to help meet 2020 biodiversity objectives.

Each local network would serve as a catalyst, helping wildlife organisations and local groups to "turn on" local communities to nature so that parks and reserves would enjoy greater participation through volunteering and recording. By Christmas last year, we were preparing to start on the ground, with some pretty unique ideas.

Whilst constructing the networks, we were also helping to support wildlife campaigns via Twitter and it was this experience that has led to a complete change in our work plan.

It soon became apparent that only a very small percentage of the UK voting population (less than 0.02%) were actually using their power to protect nature. A very sobering thought then began to sink in. What if, whilst we are on the ground with local networks, something happens via local or central government policy that damages this work?

In November 2013, we had aired our concern over "Biodiversity offsetting", as it appeared to grant a license to trash our green spaces. After helping the RSPB campaign regarding CAP reform, we went on to support a petition to make the destruction of ecosystems across Europe illegal ("End Ecocide"). Less than 20,000 in the UK supported this campaign. The final blow came, when, despite all efforts by a tireless group of warriors in Derby, The Sanctuary LNR fell to a planning application that succeeded despite the reserve's Natural England designation, promises made when the status was first given, and the rich variety of wildlife species present at the site.

As if it were a sign, I then received an image of a new housing estate on the outskirts of Dundee, and was asked whether, what was left of the City's green belt could be saved. It was sickening to feel that whilst nature had no strong voice, there could be no guarantees at all.

So, after a period of deliberation a decision was made. Work on local networks would be suspended until June. We are concentrating all of our efforts on creating change ahead of the local elections in May. With Badger culling, HS2, and a judicial review in respect of The Sanctuary LNR ahead whilst green belt remains under constant threat, we want to throw all energy at our "Action UK" campaign. 

Badgers have suffered, Skylarks have been evicted (and offered scrubland!!) and a massive scar is planned along the centre of England. Green belt remains under constant threat. Nature seems to have NO protection! 

In one month, however, over 2000 passionate wildlife lovers have assembled on twitter, forming a team that wants to create change. Moving Mountains Nature Network now has almost 12000 followers across twitter. If the "Action UK" following increases to 10,000 by May then our team can reach well over 5 million accounts with their messages. The Green Party have been extremely supportive too. We are also forming partnerships within the business community.

A charity walk will now take place at the start of May in the West Midlands, ahead of the elections. The publicity that this event attracts will be used as a platform to inform voters about the state of nature, and why it is important to protect it. Our "Action UK" team will have formed a single loud voice for nature that WILL be heard (A MASSIVE thank you to all those that are helping to raise awareness of this. To get involved follow @MMNNActionUK on Twitter and use these instructions to enhance your power to protect!).

The charity walk will focus on one wildlife site, which will be used to illustrate the challenges that wildlife faces, and the benefits that we can enjoy by respecting and looking after nature.

As soon as the elections are over, we will turn immediately to the completion of our local networks. These networks will be far more secure, if they are supported by our "battle-ready" amazing "Action UK" team.

Our local networks will reward wildlife-friendly businesses, promote healthy local produce, and will encourage uptake of green technology to produce beautiful sustainable communities. Our networks will "Lock on" to local councils, the Wildlife Trusts and other nature organisations, and serve as a catalyst to increase the level of wildlife recording and volunteering on parks and reserves.

The "green-print" for our Moving Mountains Local Nature Networks, will be unveiled after we have shared minds with a group of individuals and organisations, that we feel hold the keys to a bright future for nature and UK society.

In the meantime, please join our "Action UK" team on Twitter. We will be creating a Facebook page and a weekly newsletter via e-mail to widen this campaign.

Oh and as always....get browsing down the right-hand side of this blog to find the UK's amazing wildlife organisations. You can find out how to join them, make a donation or volunteer for them, which will all help to get Mother Nature smiling again!!

Thank you.

Nature Networks - Strengthening the Community & Local Economy

The State of Nature report which was released on 22nd May 2013 makes for uncomfortable reading. 

Mankind started using tools around 2.5 million years ago. The Thomas Newcomen Engine was invented 300 years ago, heralding the start of the Industrial Revolution in the UK.

The State of Nature report was merely looking at how well nature has faired over the last 50 years, if you like, since Sir David Attenborough was filming the Adventure: Quest programmes.

In that relatively tiny period of time, 60% of UK species have declined, and half of those have vanished rapidly.

Our most threatened species have declined by 77% in the last 40 years.

Over 10% of species are immediately under threat of disappearing completely in the UK - things are not looking good for nature. 

Nature is vital to human existence. Healthy air, water & food all come courtesy of Mother Nature. So why are we destroying it?

Well one reason is linked, ironically to human expansion: since Sir David Attenborough started broadcasting, the world population has trebled. As we expand, we will certainly need nature more in order to survive. Something needs to be done now!

If we look at the wildlife in our parks, it's the same Butterfly, Bee, Beetle and Fly species that we see on flowers during a Summer's afternoon that pollinate the crops which we rely on for healthy, natural food. Insects form part of complex ecosystems that in turn keep soil fertile, water pure and weather tolerable. These are quite important things!

So why are we destroying Life in the UK?

Well, whilst Sir David was starting out on his national service in the navy, a Frenchman called Andre Gide was receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1947. He received the award "for his comprehensive and artistically significant writings, in which human problems and conditions have been presented with a fearless love of truth and keen psychological insight".

Gide's work grew into the idea that man was torn between two systems, one divine and the other adulterated. This was not just about good and evil but also concerned "Herd Morality", where we become influenced by those around us. 

If we look at mankind's recent history, it can really be summed up in one word "exploitation", such a shame that it came from such an exciting and similar word as "exploration"!

Gide himself criticised the "large consessions" regime that exploited nature and man to the extreme in Africa, leaving land bare and people as slaves. He influenced reform of colonialism through his words.

We used to manage woodlands, and farm with nature as a community. But with advancement has come greed and unsustainabilty - we have grown and left Mother Nature behind: as Michel did his wife who had healed him through care in Gide's book - "The Immoralist".

So where are we? We appear to be in a mire! For the sake of our children's world we need to get out of this

mire. Our kids need Natural Capital (living systems that supply our basic needs) How do we protect it for them? Well we get out of this mire with Maya!!

Without nature, profits and wealth are useless!

By reflecting Gide's work "Maya" in Hindi can mean the powerful forces of good and evil. So let mankind use the good forces to secure our future? But "Maya" has also been defined in Punjabi as "money", and therein lies the warning. Our pursuit of resources and materialism makes us blind to our innovations which can protect our planet, whilst satisfying our needs. We need to open our eyes and adopt safe practices, which can yield for man and nature.

My preferred definition of "Maya" is "knowledge of the vital air". We all have the power to protect, and with another billion of us on the planet by 2025 we need to work together now as communities for nature to help put things right.

The Moving Mountains Nature Network (MMNN) supports PROJECT MAYA (http://www.mayaproject.org) - a system of living where people AND planet are in harmony.

Our networks are being designed in a way, where the community and local businesses can prosper, whilst protecting the beauty and biodiversity of their parks, reserves and other green spaces, that form vital components of the ecological network.

We have completely free packages for businesses that support UK wildlife. 

MMNN-Farmland aims to help rural communities and economies by promoting healthy, local, sustainable produce and showcasing innovative, open farming that embraces nature and the community. 75% of the UK is farmland and we believe the farming industry AND nature can thrive TOGETHER. 

Network sites will be released early in 2014, but for now you can follow us either here or on twitter:

@Chris4Mountains

@MMNNFarmland

@MMNNBournemouth

@MMNNDundee

@MMNNLeicester

@MMTowerHamlets

We are only 4 months old and are still at the construction stage. But all readers can help nature now. 

Join one of the wildlife organisations shown on our home page and join your local wildlife or "friends of" volunteer group. Volunteering for wildlife and our children's world feels amazing! 

All council websites have details of how you can help protect your parks and Local Nature Reserves. 

As you can see, we promote and support UK Wildlife Organisations. They will ALL form part of our networks. MMNN is unfunded and we are volunteers from top to bottom, so could really use your help too in supporting us and spreading the word about us and our aims.

Thank you.

Progress Report : Beauty of Bournemouth and 14 Local Nature Networks for 2014 - a change in our path!

Bournemouth

We are making good progress with the mapping of Bournemouth.

Our aim was to enhance the pride in the local community, for it's parks and reserves. But, since starting our first tangible project, I have had to widen that aim slightly!

Bournemouth has a passion for life, learning, local business and tourism. My aim was to help nature here, but in the process I am falling in love with the world again!

For months now, I have seen on a daily basis, evidence that shows just how much the U.K's wildlife is in trouble. World data and reports have been added to this, giving a sad picture, as to what mankind is doing to our beautiful planet.

Whilst writing this progress report the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) produced the Red list 2013: threatened species across the regions of the world.

71,576 species have been assessed, of which 21,286 are threatened with extinction according to the international organisation.

So where is the hope? 

Energy! Not one that clouds our planet, but a pure energy. 

I am finding it in students studying at Bournemouth University who simply love life and the world. I am finding it in the massive pool of volunteers, who give, with their whole hearts everyday to a good cause. I am seeing it in the businesses of Bournemouth, who care not just for the bottom line, but also for the beauty and future of this enchanting coastal community. 

Whilst first watching the film Avatar, I slipped into a child's world of fantasy as I watched the seeds from the Tree of Souls.

We may not see it, but it does exist. We call it biophilia: an instinctive connection with the beauty and magic of mother nature.

I feel it in Bournemouth. All it takes is a warm glow and the power is woven into a beautiful shield over the parks and reserves.

Our aim has therefore been modified now, and we are in the process of creating something which all components of the Bournemouth community will, I hope, benefit from.

If you live or work within the 16 wards of the borough, get involved, simply and freely. Register your interest in our MMNN-Bournemouth Local Nature Network, with an email to mmnnbournemouth@gmail.com

Thank you Bournemouth, not only for your time whilst reading this, but also for changing the direction of the Moving Mountains initiative!

Developments for 2014

In view of the above, we have now revised our plans. It has been so hard making selections, but we have now decided to commence work next year on networks across the following 14 areas, based on the passion I have felt since MMNN was launched on 13/8/2013:

1. City of Edinburgh
2. Dundee City
3. Dovey Estuary
4. Leicester City, Blaby, Oadby & Wigston
5. Brightwell, Foxhall & Purdis Farm
6. Walsall
7. Bracknell Forest
8. Tower Hamlets
9. Cheshire West & Chester
10. Ealing
11. Croydon
12. City of York
13. Bedford Borough
14. Wolverhampton

Policy

We are still only 3 months old! We are young but we are forming policies that we believe will help meet biodiversity goals in 2020 and 2050, and pay respect to the incredible work of my hero, Sir David Attenborough.

We are therefore researching & promoting the following:

1. Permaculture (Including Agroforestry and Forest Gardens) via native systems. "Maya" will be the subject of our next article!
2. Natural Capital.
3. Energy for the world and Mother Nature, not for profit or politics.
4. The unsung heroes - those that are advancing Ecology and the study of Plants, Invertebrates and oceans. 
5. Initiatives that do not offset nature. There is no time for that! We just have to value it and regenerate urban scars. Our Geography is different to Australia and solutions should respect that fact.
6. Respect for our natural history: farming and woodland. We need to keep farming competitive, whilst recreating a landscape across 75% of the UK's land area that held the diversity of wildlife that I fell in love with as a child. What do I have to say about Woodland? We all know that it's great and worth protecting!!

Thank you.

Stage 1 Complete - The Catalyst is Ready..

MMNN is now almost three months old. 

Firstly I want to say a massive THANK YOU to my small but tireless team of volunteers. Without your support, passion and commitment, we could not have reached this point so quickly.

To see our current position clearly, I want to have a quick look back at our perceived role, which was defined, not long after our launch in August 2013:

MMNN: It's role in the U.K. (click to enlarge)

MMNN was designed to be complimentary and not as a substitute or rival for any other part of the UK's Wildlife Network. In fact, whilst gathering my thoughts for this article I received some wise and consise words from a talented individual who is combining her gift with the power of Biophilia (basically defined as the innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world - per Biologist E.O. Wilson). She said:

"We are all working towards the same end, we just chose different paths. Nature Matters!!"

I have recently undertaken a fascinating journey, exploring these various "paths" that exist in the UK, that can lead to our biodiversity goals being met. I have been fortunate enough to find so many remarkable individuals and initiatives, whose work is serving to ignite the flame that draws more people towards nature.

Others are investing so much time and effort, whilst creating projects across Britain, which show innovation and passion for nature. Whilst reserves remain a safe haven for wildlife, thanks to our marvelous national organisations, it is sad that the vast majority of the UK's land area remains "unprotected".

Whilst considering the fact that 75% of the UK's surface area is managed by farmers, I looked at schemes which, whilst being revolutionary in some aspects, draw on ancient practices to increase biodiversity, maintain food webs AND produce crops effectively.

I had a wonderful chat with the the creators of Dorset Forest Garden at Beaminster Bottom Farm in Dorset. For anyone who is not familiar with the principles of Forest Farming, the farms' own words on it's home page serves to provide an excellent summary:

"Imagine a garden that is not fighting nature, but working with it. 

Where most of your time in it is enjoying its beauty, diversity and not to forget food! In fact a garden that cuts out the supermarket and makes eating local food as simple as walking out of your door and selecting what’s in season.

If you’re new to the concept – a forest garden or food forest is nothing to do with gardening in a forest, but creating a multilayered garden that mimics a young woodland but where plants are chosen to maximise the health and productivity of the space.

A forest garden is beautiful and delicious, a polyculture developed in harmony with nature and so incredibly low maintenance.

So is this for you? I’m not going to say you’ll get a completely un-biased opinion from us! We’re big fans of forest gardening; for our UK temperate climate it ticks so many boxes. In our damp climate, the land’s natural state is woodland. In fact if left alone, ground will slowly revert to woodland. Because of this the further we try to maintain land from this natural state – the more work it takes to maintain.

Here are a few bullet points that makes us such enthusiasts of food forests.  They are:

labour saving,

High yielding,

A relaxing, beautiful space,

Contain huge biodiversity,

Locking up carbon – making it kind to the environment,

Both a source of harvest and income,

Good way of putting children in touch with where food comes from, as well as educating them on other topics – environment, biology, design…"

This practice of Forest Gardening can have a major impact on levels of biodiversity and participation in urban settings, and also create a "living class-room" for children to learn more about nature, carbon issues and sustainable farming.

Another developing practice in the UK is Agroforestry (Simply agriculture that incorporates the cultivation of trees)

Research over the past 20 years has confirmed that Agroforestry can be more biologically productive, more profitable, and more sustainable than forestry or agricultural monocultures. (Source: http://www.agroforestry.co.uk/afbens.html)

If we can offer our 300,000 UK farmers an incentive or reward for adopting methods that enhance biodiversity, whilst maintaining their place in the market, we shall be able to halt the decline of wildlife across an area that represents 75% of our land surface area.

Whilst there is talk that 15% of direct payments to farmers should be " held-back" to contribute towards biodiversity work, I do hold three fears:

1. If this money is not kept to manage biodiversity across our farmland, then a policy that holds so much hope for wildlife would end up feeling like Biodiversity Offsetting. A system which would let people ignore biodiversity, as long as they forfeited money, for wildlife projects elsewhere, would do little to produce a unified nation that cares for and respects the power and beauty of nature, especially at a time when we are trying to define it's true "value".

2. We should be careful not to penalise farmers who are already actively protecting or enhancing biodiversity. We need to protect initiatives like the fantastic Conservation Grade Scheme - a sustainability protocol being implemented by farmers in return for contracted premium prices for their crops. We cannot simply put everyone in the same boat. 

In the UK we have an inspection service covering food establishments, which helps protect people from being poisoned. Would it not be great to create a "Biodiversity Task Force" to ensure that farmers are thinking about biodiversity and protecting our amazing wildlife?

Such a task force could work closely with our Local Records Centres (LRC's) (who could also do with some extra funding) so that farms are subject to 5 star biodiversity assessments. Under such a scheme, local naturalists, experts and patch watchers, could apply to get involved in the farm surveys, designed by local experts, under a permit scheme, allowing limited access to land. 

Not only would this increase the amount of coordinated and repeated recording for future "State of Nature" reports, it would offer our children the opportunity to study wildlife and become guardians of the countryside under part of an inspectorate system, similar to what we have in meat production. Permits could be issued by the government to those that have demonstrated to local recorders, Wildlife Clubs and LRC's, that they have the necessary skills and passion for nature to conduct impartial surveying. 

3. We are in a potentially strong economic position, with regard to UK farming. Perhaps surprisingly the average size of our farms in the UK are larger than the European average 

(Source: http://www.ukagriculture.com/uk_farming.cfm).This means that we should be able to enjoy a competitive edge by virtue of achievable economies of scale.

History actually made me cringe as a child, because I learned about so many industries, within which we were once the world leader. So many crowns have fallen!! With 75% of our land given over to farming, we have to keep our eye on the ball and not lose our place in this market. 

The consumer will only buy fresh, healthy, sustainable, local produce, if it remains sensibly priced. If we are going to take something from the farming kitty, then let's make sure that the funds go to schemes that protect biodiversity over a land area that has no "reserve" status to protect it, whilst rewarding wildlife-friendly farmers AND maintaining their place in the market.

There is much much more that has come from our review, and the amazing people and organisations that we have and will continue to come across, will be incorporated in one of two places:

1. This main MMNN site will now become a reference site connecting the "1st Element" to the volunteer wildlife network, and the public. It will encourage membership, participation, volunteering and recording through the national wildlife organisations and via our local Councils that manage so many of our green spaces. ( Please note: we are in the process of adding "Link areas" which will cover Schools, Wildlife Identification, Council Biodiversity work and Farming)

2. We are now focusing on the creation of our Local Nature Networks. After the launch of our maiden MMNN- Bournemouth Local Nature Network, we will conduct an appraisal to see just how effectively we have served to encourage, coordinated recording, participation, biodiversity protection and education, across the launch area. This experience will assist in the creation of other networks around member sites. The local network will aim to help send the "1st Element" deep into local communities. We have a few surprises, which will become apparent on launch, which we hope will demonstrate the potency of the MMNN catalyst.

In this regard, I wish to thank our members for their continued interest and support, and to all of those involved in Biophilia, Forest Farming, Agroforestry and on so many other biodiversity "paths" that have influenced our thinking, whilst designing the characteristics of the MMNN catalyst.

Local councils are under extreme pressure, whilst trying to manage biodiversity with ever-decreasing staff and resources. MMNN will support them, whilst minimising requests for information. We shall now use the LRC's and the NBN Gateway to obtain site wildlife information, whilst our focus will remain on working towards coordinating surveying and encouraging more participation and volunteering across member green sites.

Our Local Networks will bring together all patch watchers, wildlife bloggers,"Friends of" and other wildlife groups so that they have more support.

Our community work will become apparent on the launch of our first MMNN Local Nature Network.

I am carrying out a fund-raising walk in Spring 2014. Half of the proceeds will go towards local School wildlife activities and equipment. If you are a wildlife-friendly school near Smestow Valley LNR, Wolverhampton, Clayhanger Marsh, Walsall or Harborne, Birmingham, please register your interest in this event. Local businesses can also get involved.

The other half of the money raised will support local biodiversity projects. If you require help to fund such work in the above areas of the West Midlands, please email brief details and links for our consideration.

If you support our ethos, join MMNN today. It's free and our benefits are becoming more apparent as we prepare to cross the three month mark since our "birth" on 13th August 2013.

To join MMNN or get involved in our fund-raising event, please contact us at smestowsightings@gmail.com

Thank you

Bournemouth Local Nature Network - due to launch soon!! Register your interest NOW and help "The State of Nature"

Now that the mapping of Bournemouth (defined as the 18 wards, falling under Bournemouth Borough Council), is well under way, MMNN is inviting members of the following "groups" to register their interest in becoming part of the MMNN- Bournemouth Local Nature Network:

Local wildlife clubs,
Regional/County wildlife recorders,
Local sections of the National Wildlife Organisations,
Wildlife "bloggers",
Garden Wildlife recorders (and "bloggers",)
"Patch" watchers who record wildlife in the Borough
"Friends of" and Parish wildlife groups,
Local wildlife/ecology experts,
Council Parks and Biodiversity teams,
Parks and their Rangers,
Wildlife Reserves and their Wardens,
Leisure Services providers,
Conservation volunteers and Volunteer Groups,
Wildlife-friendly nurseries, schools and Colleges together with students/ groups from Bournemouth University.
Places of Worship, with an active local wildlife policy,
Green Local Press and other media,
Museums and Zoos,
Pro wildlife and visitor-friendly farms,
Outdoor Activity Centres,
Youth Hostels,
Environmentally friendly local businesses or businesses that simply want to help protect their local wildlife and green spaces.
Arts and Culture - if you can "tap on" to the amazing energy of Biophilia, you are an important component our our local networks. Please get involved!!

This list is by no means exhaustive, so any other individual or organisation can register to get involved and help promote wildlife conservation, awareness and recording in the area.

We also need help from the children of Bournemouth!! Please ask your school, mum or dad to
e-mail your wildlife pictures to us, and we will include them all across our pages.

We will also be asking children to design a logo that MMNN will use as it's official emblem.

To register your interest in the MMNN- Bournemouth Local Nature Network or send pictures, simply e-mail us at mmnnbournemouth@gmail.com

Join MMNN today!!..... Together, we really CAN make a difference to "The State of Nature" in the UK.

Thank you.

Updates:
1st November 2013 - I just have to say a massive thank you to the wonderful people and caring organisations of Bournemouth!! As we are mapping the area, we are coming across a range of beautiful, gifted and committed people. It is an absolute pleasure working with you all, and thank you for your interest in this network. There is a lot of work still to be done, but we hope to have got round you all soon.

MMNN -  Ipswich, Cheshire, Leicester and York Local Nature Networks coming soon!!!

Good Recording and Bad Recording - Thank you "Living Record" and "Peter Orchard" for helping me to demonstrate the two Extremes!!

I stated in my Month 2 progress report, that MMNN was due to start mapping out the Local Wildlife Networks, around member sites.

Part of this work has taken me on a tour, albeit it on-line around the beautiful County of Dorset. I have been talking to some amazing groups of volunteers, who have worked tirelessly, to record wildlife and get involved in the hard work on the ground needed to help the Councils manage sites and their fragile habitats.

Whilst conducting this work, I received an e-mail from Peter Orchard, creator of a rather grandly named "The Nature of Dorset" website. Wow!! all the information I would need under one roof!!....or so it seemed!!

I'm not sure where he found out about MMNN but he stated in his initial e-mail that "I record in Dorset and put the data collected on here: www.natureofdorset.co.uk"

He went on to say "It currently has data for 145 sites and over 1,450 species. In paragraph 2 of Peter's homepage he clearly states "Once at the species data you can see where I have seen it" - I being the key word here.

So, twice he has claimed they are his records already!! To all you bloggers and patch watchers out there, I think you will agree, it's hard enough to cover one site well with personal wildlife records. This Guy tells me he can do it across 145 sites!! He must have the legs of a Cheetah.

Anyway, I have been so busy on the MMNN initiative, so I just sent a brief reply praising his identification area, as it supported the young and learning naturalists.

To my surprise, the very next day, Peter sends me an e-mail offering a platform for my members to record wildlife in Dorset, via his site!!! Not only does this guy eat Wildebeest for breakfast, he is also an overnight "Einstein", creating a policy of recording for Bournemouth in a matter of hours.

Alarm bells started ringing. You will see from my article posted on 20/9/13, that I had become aware of the wonderful work of Adrian Bicker at "Living Record", through people who were serious about wildlife, and who were also passionate about the importance of accurate recording, verification and validation. I was also aware that the hard-working team at Dorset Environmental Records Centre were already working with Adrian. Why did Dorset need to start sending it's records into "Peter the Cheetah"??

My instincts got the better of me! I took a deeper look at his website and picked a few LNR's that were about the same size or bigger than my own patch. I was amazed at the number of records for each of the 140 odd sites listed. Not only that but how can you land species like Dartford Warbler, Water-Rail, Wood Cock, Red Kite and Black-tailed Skimmers, on sites where they are rare, whilst spreading yourself so thinly over so many sites.

I e-mailed Peter Orchard, asking how he had managed to visit so many sites and create so many of his own records.

MMNN cares about the need for engagement and participation, and I had noted that Peter had missed a lot of hard-working Dorset wildlife volunteer groups off his organisation and weblinks (I am in the Midlands, he should know them better than me!!). I asked why he had omitted this valuable connection that would add numbers to volunteer events across his home county. 

Incidentally, if any readers are connected to any of the following guardians of UK Wildlife, you may wish to advise them to consider removing their association, and emblems from this site:

Dorset Environmental Records Centre

Dorset Wildlife Trust

Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

National Biodiversity Network

iSpot

RSPB Nature's Voice

RSPB - Arne Reserve

Apologies to the RSPB - you have got two because Peter doesn't know the difference between a Podcast service and a stunning wildlife haven! 

Please note that Peter Orchard hadn't even linked the emblems to these organisations/initiatives/reserves, which means that, for example, the amount of Butterfly counts in Dorset, were less than they could have been if he had made his 18,000 annual website visitors aware of the plea for more records, to help protect them.

I received answers from Peter. He has managed to visit so many sites and make so many recordings because "I am retired. I have a car, it is my hobby (no passion!). there are 36 weeks from the beginning of March to the end of October. I started visiting reserves when we moved to Dorset 7 years ago. Two visits each week in that time period over 7 years is around 500 recording visits"

The reason he gave for not including local "Wildlife Warrior" groups of volunteers on his "County site" (that appears 2nd only on google to another volunteer organisation that makes a REAL difference to the state of nature: Dorset Wildlife Trust),  was that in 2009 (within 3 years of entering the county!!), he offered 20 groups a wildlife recording platform and they were not interested.

Peter, if you are reading this whilst rapidly editing your website (I have screen-shots), the reasons why you are in this article are two-fold. First you have placed personal feeling above acting in the best interests of wildlife. Secondly, every day, I hear about Council's on ever tighter budgets with ever-decreasing staff numbers, trying to enhance LNR's, the newly labelled LWS's and other sites. At the same time, I talk to teams of heroic volunteers, passionate about their patches who are trying desperately to help the Council's execute their management plans, whilst also organising events and making wonderful wildlife records.

So let us do some basic Maths. Peter actually states that he has conducted 788 recording sessions in 7 years, although he admits that some of those sessions are from his garden (I am amazed he has got time to maintain a garden!). 

788 visits across 145 sites in 7 years!!! that means that on average, he visited each site less than once a year!!!

When I put this to Peter, he said that "it is not an exact Science" ( I hope the "Nature of Bournemouth" recording platform that he is proposing for the area, is more of an exact science!! Though I don't think it's going to happen now somehow after MMNN's exposure!!).He then said that he is discovering new sites all the time.

Well I decided to put this to the test. After a little bit of surfing social groups that I need to do for my work anyway, I came across the following flicker link following Peter's visit to Kinson Common LNR:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_orchard/8614443280/in/pool-64974985@N00/

You will see Peter pictured there, as he appears on his own site. Please note that the flicker feed is dated 2nd April 2013. He comments: "I had a very pleasant morning just getting to know the place"

Lets have a look at the page for Kinson Common on "The Nature of Dorset":

http://www.natureofdorset.co.uk/sites/kinson-common-local-nature-reserve

The page tells you to "Click the pic to see my complete species list for this site"

You will note:

1. Peter has Firecrest in his records, calling it a good spot on 31/3/13. Yes Pete,very good spot considering you were over 15 miles away on that day!: I asked Peter in my last email, before breaking communication with him, where he was on 31/3/13 and he told me he was at Stokeford Heath!!, as evidenced by his own site:

http://www.natureofdorset.co.uk/node/30753

The Firecrest was actually found by a well-respected local "patch" watcher. It was his record. How could it be Peter's when he visited the site for the first time, two days later and never mentioned the Firecrest sighting in his Flicker update?

2. Peter's own "Kinson Common species list" states that Dartford Warbler, Water Rail, Woodcock, Red Kite and Black-tailed Skimmer are all "present" there. Anyone who visits this important site regularly will tell you that all of these species are extremely rare there at best!! How damaging is this information to wildlife conservation?

3. The species list for Kinson Common contains endless records from 2011, over a year BEFORE Peter first says that he visited the site.

The evidence is endless, but from it comes some key points that I wish to highlight. This overlaps with reports I have had, and acted upon from Cheshire bloggers; that wildlife recording platforms (thankfully not attached to the U.K's Local Records Centres, but most likely taking up valuable wildlife funding),are holding false and misleading information regarding species present on sites of extreme value to wildlife, in that area.

1. It concerns me that two instances of this nature have been exposed in the two months since MMNN was launched, and  I have only just started mapping local networks.

2. If you are an individual recording wildlife, send your records into your local wildlife clubs and recorders. MMNN is pushing for these groups to be more easily found at information points on green spaces and through Schools, Council Websites and local groups, to encourage participation.

3. If you are one of the thousands of local wildlife, Parish or "Friends of" groups, that exist across the country and you are looking for a recording platform for your valuable sightings, find your Local Records Centre (LRC)via the National Biodiversty Network (NBN) site:

http://www.nbn-nfbr.org.uk/nfbr.php

Send a brief e-mail, asking for their advice on the best record entry systems. Please do not call them unless urgent, as they are doing an incredible job on ever-tighter funding, sending quality records onto the National Biodiversity Network, which is used to help create the STATE OF NATURE reports.

4. If you are approached by anyone claiming to have a wildlife recording platform for you to use, be very careful. Send an e-mail to your LRC, asking them to check the product. The Wildlife Trusts are truly wonderful. Contact your local Trusts, and they will provide assistance, as well telling you about other ways to get involved with wildlife locally.

For the people of Dorset, you are in safe hands. Any threat to the quality of wildlife records has been nipped in the bud, and in any case would never have got through the tight controls that exist at the NBN and at the LRC. To this end Living Record is already approved by the Dorset Environmental Records Centre, and I would strongly recommend them for any wildlife group, not only in Dorset, but across the UK, as they are well respected by local experts and recorders, and they share our passion for wildlife.

I have also looked closely at the work of the "Friends of" and other volunteer wildlife groups that exist in Dorset. From what I have reviewed, and mapped so far, I see them, together with the army of wildlife bloggers as being KEY to realising the dream of halting the decline of wildlife in the UK.

If you want to see original and accurate records of what you can see at Kinson Common, please visit:
http://www.friendsofkinsoncommon.btck.co.uk/ - brilliant slogan by the way!!....Protect, Preserve, Promote!!! Well done to you all on your fine efforts.

Peter Orchard - you obviously hold a love, of sorts for wildlife. It's just a great shame, that you didn't use the last 7 years to support all of the incredible groups that exist in Dorset, and who you stole records from, by claiming them as your own, after paying "token" visits. 

How many kids have looked at your site and got mum and dad to drive them over to see a Dartford Warbler and Red Kite, only to find out off a proper wildlife recorder, that they are not there, when they arrive. Disappointment in children is damaging. You could, by now have created so many local wildlife partnerships, which in turn would have created a new army of volunteers in the county, to help the Council's and Wildlife Organisations meet their Biodiversity objectives.

To our members in Dorset, rest assured, MMNN will help them.

Thank you for taking time out, whilst reading this article.

Thank you also to the Centre for Environmental Change & Human Resillience at Dundee University, for recently encouraging people to get involved in MMNN. I am extremely honoured to have had my aims and articles studied by such an Institution. It makes me even more determined to move mountains for nature.

I live in the Midlands, and so at a local level, thanks also to our local blogger "Chaz" at Clayhanger Marsh Log, who provided a testament as to what MMNN is setting out to achieve:

http://clayhangermarshlog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/wildlife-warriors.html

To those that have the power to help this important wildlife site in Walsall, West Midlands (which includes an SSSI) preserve it's biodiversity and safeguard it's future, please contact us at smestowsightings@gmail.com 

Chaz has watched over this site as a true "guardian" for years, so come on everyone, let's give him and the wildlife there a hand!!

Join MMNN today and together, we really can make a difference. Simply e-mail your request to smestowsightings@gmail.com and you will be sent a simple "welcome" form to register the sites where you watch and record wildlife.

If you are a blogger and you support our initiative, please add us to your site links.

Many thanks.