There is something beautiful about the muted tones of a new year’s landscape. Winter highlights the sculptural beauty of our surroundings, grass and tree branches tinted with glittering frost and lit in the low sun by a pale blue or pink sky. Air is clean, wind sharp and exhilarating, and familiar surroundings take on a hint of wonderland.
New years are a new start – whether you manage to keep them or not, many of us consider new years’ resolutions each January and think forward to what we might like to change in our lives through the year ahead. This year, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust would like to encourage you to consider the changes you could make to benefit others; our wildlife, our community, and our collective mental health.
Progress towards achieving the biodiversity goals set out nearly two years ago by over 200 countries worldwide has been slow; the UK, which continues to be one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, is only on course to meet four out of our 40 domestic environmental targets.
READ MORE: What did the Wildlife Trust 2024 annual marine review find?
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust published the region’s first-ever State of Yorkshire’s Nature, earlier this year, which showed that nearly 2,000 species have been lost from Yorkshire in the last 200 years, and a further 3,000 are at risk – including the rare species that make Yorkshire special and beloved favourites like swifts and curlews. The Trust has been playing an important part working with and advising a number of local councils and authorities on Local Nature Recovery Strategies to improve biodiversity and green spaces within each area of Yorkshire.
Taking action to make changes, even in a small way, boosts mental and physical health and makes a true difference. As a grassroots organisation, YWT was built from the ground up as a result of the actions of individuals all working together with Yorkshire’s biodiversity and wildlife in mind. Each of our 45,000 members makes a difference through their support – alongside our expert colleagues and volunteers, many of whom are out in all weather, all year, protecting and restoring nature and wild places.
Top five actions for a greener new year:
A staggering amount of wildlife – much of it unseen – relies on urban spaces to survive. YWT’s Wildlife Gardening Award has an extensive guide to things you can do for wildlife in your garden, and so far the Trust has awarded nearly 600 wildlife-friendly gardens across the county, from care homes to community allotments and container gardens. Find out more at ywt.org.uk/Wildlife-Gardening-Award
People power is not to be underestimated! Our #TeamWilder initiative has seen community groups across the county come together to make their local area better for wildlife and people – from sowing wildflower meadows to joining up nature spaces in a green trail, working with their parish councils and cultivating nature-rich parks. Find out more at: ywt.org.uk/team-wilder
YWT Yorkshire cares for more than 100 nature reserves. Most people aren’t more than 15 miles from their nearest reserve, and many people live much closer. YWT has a huge variety of reserves to suit everyone, from families looking for a day out to the serious wildlife enthusiast, and several of them are accessible by public transport. More at ywt.org.uk/nature-reserves – there’s detailed guidebook available in the online shop.
Yorkshire has an amazing supply of wildlife experiences for everyone – whether it’s the incredible aerial display of a starling murmuration, listening to the cacophony of the dawn chorus in our woodlands, hunting for bright purple fungi on our reserves or counting pods of dolphins out at sea. Add a wild experience to your to-do list for 2025. For those who don’t know where to start, make sure to check out our events programme: ywt.org.uk/our-events
We are nature’s voice when nature has none – and our voice is powerful. Talk to people about the wildlife in your area – whether that’s friends, family, community groups or your local councillor. People are more likely to take action when they know other people care, and together our voices can go a long way.
If you want to add your voice to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s and help us advocate at a regional and national level, we’d love to have you as a member. As well as helping us manage over 100 nature reserves and take part in over 50 partnership projects, you will become part of something bigger – and lend your voice to the cacophony calling on our government for a greener world.
You can join Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at ywt.org.uk/membership-join-us-today
