Habitat Appeal
"This is shocking news for anyone who cares about
Cornwall's unique nature, "said The Wildlife Trusts'
national President David Bellamy, reacting to habitat loss
figures released by the Cornwall Trust in October.
Professor Bellamy urged the pubic to support our
Habitat Appeal Launched against the backdrop of a measured 1500 hectare loss of prime wildlife
habitit in just seven years. This works out at a
staggering 250 sqare metres of wiId Cornwall
being lost every hour.
The scale of the destruction has been calculated by comparing aerial photographs taken in 1988 and 1995 as part of the cornwall LIFE project - a joint initiative betwen the trust and the County Council.
Agricultural changes are the major cause, and in particular the introduction of moe intensive management to "marginal" grasslands.
Small red damselfly - a nationally
scarce species finding permanent
refuge at Ventongimps.
Illustration: Sarah McCartney
Next in seriousness are developments - such as buildings.
roads and tips - and then conifer planting.
Ventongimps Moor was the Trust's first nature reserve - we now
have
over 40.
In contrast the Trust's nature reserves continue to protect
important Sites in perpetuity - something that not even
the law can guarantee todo. There is therefore an urgent need to bring
moreof them under our conrol as nature
reserves. which is the aim of our Habitat Appeal.
Endorsing the Habitat Appeal, David Bellamy stressed that
many of us in Cornwall just don't realise how important our
local natural heritage is, or that its fate lies in our own
hands:
"Please don't wait for someone else to save vour environment
- make a donation today."
Mark Nicholson
What, no adverts?
Euromedia Associates Ltd, which has paid for the use of the
24 extra advertising pages in the last two issues, is taking a
break from Wild Cornwall this spring. This may come as a
relief to heavily burdened magazine deliverers. but, subject to
the Trust's approval, we will be seeking a new advertising
deal for the summer.
On the minus side, several members have objected to
particular advertisements or advertisers. It would be very
difficult to ensure that every Trust member approved of every
advert, but do we really have to? There is no suggestion that
the Trust endorses any of the organisatio ns, products or
services featured, and we could make the advertising section
even more separate to avoid giving the impression that we do.
On the plus side, advertising will yield several thousand
pounds each year to further the Trust's work.
But this is your magazine. so do please let us know what you
think dbout it.
Mark Nicholson
CBRU
Many members may now have heard that the Cornish
Biological Records Unit will be merged with the Wildlife
Trust from 1st January 1997. The past work of both has
been highly complementary, and we now aim to merge the
two with no loss of existing functions to develop a
comprehensive Environmental Records Unit for Cornwall,
which will provide an efficient service to both users and
providers of biological and geological information.
Meetings will be held to give recorders and users
opportunities to help shape the development of the Unit,
and we will provide further details of proposals in future
magazines.
I hope that all recorders, in particular, will bear with us
whilst we progress through the transitional stage over the
corning months. If anyone wants to discuss any issues.
please contact me at the Trust.
Habitat Appeal
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