By now some of our best intentions may have already fallen by the wayside. New year’s resolutions have a habit of tailing off pretty quickly so let us think about something a little more sustainable that we can all feel good about throughout the year.

Nature is in crisis and urgent action is needed to protect more land for wildlife to achieve the Trust’s ambitious strategy of 30% of land connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030. We are imploring individuals, families and communities to take action to protect our natural habitats and the wildlife that calls them home.

Membership of the Trust

In 2020, the Hertfordshire State of Nature report showed that only 16% of semi-natural habitat covers the county highlighting that immediate support and resource is needed to meet the Trust’s 30 by 30 target. Membership has a direct impact on the Trust’s ability to restore important local wild places now and for future generations. Currently over 22,000 members support the charity, making it the leading voice for conservation in Hertfordshire and Middlesex and it is hoped that this number will increase in 2023. Not a member yet? Until 31 January we have a special introductory offer, meaning you can support nature for as little as £1.75 per month for the first year of membership. Explore the benefits and join now.

Volunteer

Time and effort is another way that people can have a dramatic effect on nature’s recovery. Like many charities, the Trust is dependent on its army of volunteers, who help with everything from mending fences to inputting data, from clearing scrub to checking on the welfare of grazing livestock. A volunteer role with the charity presents an opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills, as well as that sought-after feel-good factor. Check out our current opportunities here.

Wellbeing

It’s no secret that a connection with nature is good for our souls. It’s been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and even increase self-confidence – you can read more about those benefits on our wellbeing pages here. The more we notice nature, the more we care about it too, which has got to be good for us, precious habitats and local wildlife. Listen out for birdsong, notice the shooting signs of spring, take a moment to observe a butterfly in flight or trample autumn leaves with glee – and notice just how happy or calm those moments make you.

Wilder Communities

During the pandemic, the power of community saw a resurgence and the Trust is no exception, having witnessed a number of positive actions from neighbourhoods working towards a common goal. These include, action groups fundraising to buy and protect local land, the planting of community orchards and urban spaces being transformed by groups into wildlife gardens. This year, The Trust hope to see more people linking up to tackle the biodiversity and climate crisis together. This is being encouraged by our Wilder Communities programme, who are helping people to realise their ideas and make towns and villages across Hertfordshire and Middlesex greener, wilder and richer in nature. The project is in its infancy so our resources are building all the time - please do get in touch if you have an idea and need to support and guidance along the way.

Everyone can make a difference

A new year is often a platform for new thinking and the Trust want everyone to recognise that they can take action for nature and make a difference.

Remember whatever you can do to help, counts - it doesn’t have to be a big act to make an impact. For example, putting out a bowl of water in your garden provides a bath for birds to bathe in or drinking water for small mammals, creating a window box of flowering plants will help bees and other pollinators, putting a pile of deadwood in the garden will create a whole new microhabitat for invertebrates, or simply cutting a small hole in your fence will allow a hedgehog safe passage into your garden.

Give what you can

The Trust is currently fundraising to buy and protect Archers Green, a new nature reserve containing rare and precious habitats, which are home to some of our most iconic yet endangered wildlife – the Water Vole being just one example. Please consider donating to our fundraising appeal if you can but if you are not able to do so, you can still choose to help by spreading the word about it.

Next steps

A trip around our website is a good place to start – you’ll find details of our nature reserves, volunteering opportunities, membership packages and a whole host of ideas and tips to help you to help our natural world.

A big thank you from Herts and Middlesex Trust for every single action people are taking to protect our natural habitats and the wildlife that calls them home.