CHESHIRE Wildlife Trust has launched a major campaign to aid nature’s recovery across land and sea over the next decade.

The conservation charity’s 30 by 30 campaign aims to raise £30million to put nature into recovery across at least 30% of land and sea by 2030.

According to the trust, which is part of the The Wildlife Trusts national network, 26% of UK mammals are in danger of disappearing altogether and hedgehogs, red squirrels, bats, turtle doves, cuckoo, water voles and basking sharks are all at risk.

Northwich Guardian: Hedgehog, by Tom MarshallHedgehog, by Tom Marshall

It says the collapse in the abundance of nature means ecosystems are not functioning as they should and the lack of wild places, and the break-up of those that remain, has had a disastrous effect.

Patron Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland, said: “We currently find ourselves in a climate and nature crisis. Conservation is no longer enough. The Wildlife Trusts across the UK have set themselves an ambitious goal to raise the £30million needed to kickstart the process of securing at least 30% of land and sea in nature’s recovery by 2030.

“The next 10 years must be a time of green recovery. We all know how important wildlife and our wild spaces have been to our wellbeing over the past few months. I am proud to be a member and patron of Cheshire Wildlife Trust, standing together with others to bring nature back across Cheshire, south Manchester, and Wirral.

“When we succeed in reaching 30 by 30, we’ll have wildlife havens across our region that store carbon and provide on-your-doorstep nature for us all. Everyone can support and help us to succeed.”

Over the next decade, Cheshire Wildlife Trust will run several projects over the as part of the appeal, including beaver reintroduction at Hatchmere Nature Reserve; restoring wildflower habitats across Cheshire including at Swettenham Valley Nature Reserve; and creating habitats to reverse the decline of the iconic species by working with farmers and landowners around the county.

To find out more or to donate to the 30 By 30 appeal visit cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/30-30