The government has an urgent responsibility to place the restoration of nature as a top priority, following the latest State of Nature report, published yesterday.

One quarter of birds and nearly half of mammals assessed are at risk of extinction.

The report states it is the intensification of farming, pollution from fertiliser, manure and plastic, the destruction of habitats for houses, the climate crisis and invasive alien species, that are to blame for the losses.

And the report shows no significant improvement since the last one in 2016, which said the UK was "among the most nature-depleted countries in the world".

We can all do our bit and leaving an area of our gardens to grow wild is a start, as is never using weedkillers or slug pellets. Feed the birds and give them water instead.

BUT

The government MUST take urgent action now and start tackling the core reasons to reverse this catastrophic downward trend.

Being one of the most nature depleted countries in the world is a terrible label and a terrible legacy to leave our children.

We only have one planet and we must protect and preserve it for future generations, as well as for the sake of all those creatures who have an equal right to exist unharmed alongside us.

If you would like more information on the State of Nature report, please click the red button below.