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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