The Wildlife Trusts’ Pre-Budget Statement

Society has spoken out repeatedly against policies that put short-term profit ahead of our countryside and wildlife, eroding our natural capital and quality of life. The budget next week (21 March 2012) will show whether the Government has chosen to listen.
It will test whether the Government is still at odds with itself as it was in the pre budget statement. We are unclear which side of its personality it will express.
On the one hand its Natural Environment White Paper (June 2011) states that it “wants this to be the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than it inherited”, a statement which we wholeheartedly support. This point is further reinforced by the National Ecosystem Assessment, (also June 2011), which makes a compelling case that failing to achieve this (i.e. failing to address declines in ecosystem health, habitat and species), will have a significant effect on the well-being of society, as well as having environmental and economic costs. The Government has committed to putting ‘natural capital at the heart of government accounting’.
On the other hand Government is pressing forward with new road building and priming the scene for more development with less planning control and even fewer environmental regulations, all in the name of growth. Comments made in the Autumn Statement on the Habitats Regulations, the ‘red-tape challenge’ and the ill-conceived planning reforms, show an out-of-date approach casting regulation and the environment as enemies to growth.
Since the Chancellor suggested ‘gold plating’ of European Regulations is hindering development, we have had to devote considerable charitable resources to participating in the review of the implementation of the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives.
The Wildlife Trusts work on the ground with developers every day and we know that the regulations are not holding back developments. We are pleased the review appears to have confirmed that view and concluded that the regulations are neither ‘gold plated’ nor an excessive burden on business. We do, however, acknowledge that there are measures that can be taken to streamline and clarify processes. Now we wait to see if the Treasury will accept the outcomes of the review.
Rather than being an obstacle to economic productivity, the environment is the very basis of it. And there is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate the fact. We appeal to the Prime Minister to champion long-term, sustainable economic policies that will bring much-needed prosperity without destroying the natural environment that millions hold dear.
To tear apart environmental regulations and weaken planning laws would be to take a huge step backwards. A Government seeking to be progressive and the greenest ever would certainly retain this established good practice.
Last century this country saw devastating declines in wildlife that only slowed towards its close. Far from undoing the laws that we created to stem this tide of loss Government should now be introducing new measures to restore our ecosystems and put our stewardship of the natural environment at the heart of government policy.

Call for Entries – Open from 1st February

Press Release - for immediate use


http://www.bwpawards.org
Call for Entries – Open from 1st February
Your chance to win a prestigious photography award and cash prize of £5,000. With an overall prize fund up to £20,000, winners and commended entrants will have their work showcased in a national touring exhibition and stunning book.
The British Wildlife Photography Awards were established to recognise the talents of wildlife photographers of all nationalities practising in Britain, whilst at the same time highlighting the great wealth and diversity of Britain’s natural history. The driving motivation to set up the Awards evolved through the nation’s growing awareness of the local environment and the need for its protection.
Now in its fourth year, this highly acclaimed and unique wildlife photography competition has captivated the nation with outstanding and beautiful imagery. It is a celebration of British wildlife as well as a showcase for nature photographers, both amateur and professional.

Categories http://www.bwpawards.org/categories

With twelve separate categories the subject matter covers everything from marine life and animal behaviour to creepy crawlies and urban wildlife. These include The Wildlife Trusts’ Living Landscape: Connectivity category.

Living Landscape: Connectivity
Many of our wildlife rich places are isolated and people are becoming more disconnected from the nature around them. Addressing these 'connectivity' issues is at the heart of The Wildlife Trusts recovery plan for nature, A Living Landscape. This category aims to encourage imaginative responses to capture this sense of connectivity or lack of it. Positive images illustrating how habitats, species, communities and individuals interconnect within urban and rural setting are encouraged.



Awards and Prizes

With a prize fund of up to £20,000 and the overall winner receiving a cash prize of £5,000, the images receiving judges’ commendations will form part of a series of nationwide exhibitions. Winners and commended entries will also be featured in the coffee table book British Wildlife Photography Awards Collection 3, published by AA Publishing.

The Awards ceremony and launch of the traveling exhibition will take place at the prestigious Mall Galleries, in London. www.mallgalleries.org.uk

Overall Winner, British Wildlife Photographer £5,000

All Category winners will receive photographic products or similar - value £1,000
(prize package to be confirmed shortly)
The Young People’s Awards
There are two special awards to encourage participation by young people.
These are free to enter.
Young British Wildlife Photographer (Up to 11) £300
Young British Wildlife Photographer (12 - 18) £500
Dates

The competition will be open for entries on 1st February 2012. The closing date is 12th of May 2012. Entrants will be able to submit entries on-line or via post.

Sponsors and Supporters

The competition is sponsored by: Sky+HD, Canon, The Wildlife Trusts, WWF, RSPB Wildlife Explorers, Countryside Council for Wales, VisitWoods.org.uk, Buglife, Genesis Imaging, Countryside Jobs Service, Sparsholt College Hampshire and Outdoor Photography Magazine.

Supported by: AA Publishing, Natural England, The National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, YHA and Wildlife Extra.

The Judging Panel

Neil Aldridge - Conservation Photojournalist, Greg Armfield - Film and Photography Manager WWF, David Fidler - Account Manager, Canon, Danny Green - Photographer, Sue Herdman - Magazine Editor National Trust Magazine, Stephen Moss - Naturalist and TV Producer, Andy Rouse - Wildlife Photographer, Diane Smyth - Deputy Editor British Journal of Photography, Christina Vaughan - Managing Director Image Source, Steve Watkins - Editor Outdoor Photography Magazine, Paul Wilkinson - Head of Living Landscape, The Wildlife Trusts, Mark Ward - Editor Birds Magazine / RSPB, David Watchus - Publisher AA Publishing.

Exhibitions
The exhibition will travel around the UK. Including the following venues: Mall Galleries (London), Nunnington Hall (Yorkshire), Moors Valley Country Park (Dorset) Nature in Art (Gloucester) and Luton Museum. The full schedule to be confirmed.

Further Information

For more detailed information about the competition, including how to enter, a full description of categories, shooting tips, and terms & conditions, please visit the competition website: http://www.bwpawards.org

Picture by Jacqui Jay Grafton 2011 Living Landscapes