Whether you call the Gwent Levels a Futurescape or a Living Landscape, or just a really nice place which is rich in wildlife, you might rather see it protected than wrecked by a motorway (see here and here). I know I would.
So why not say so? I already have. The RSPB has made it easy for you to respond – click here and it will take you less than three minutes (I timed it). But you must do it today because today is the deadline for responses.
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Hi Mark
Are the Gwent Levels protected by EU designations? Presumably not or else this would be a non-starter? But if not, why not? Have responded via the RSPB link.
Just finished Fighting for Birds. I leave a lot of books half-read. I know, bad habit but something else comes along that interests me. But not yours. Outstanding! I am very drawn to the combination of natural history (aka revelling in beauty) leading to good science leading to advocacy leading to outcomes. Don’t think I have ever got all of that between the covers of one book before.
All best
Mike Davis
Dr Davis, there are protected as SSSI – but then the great and good in the Assembly Government won’t let letters stand in the way of progress. They probably think its sustainable development – so long as you include those words you can excuse any amount of destruction.
Incidentally, parts of the Gwent Levels were compulsory purchased as compensation for the destruction of the Cardiff Bay SSSI and the displacement of several shed loads of wading birds. Oh the irony. It would be funny if it weren’t so painfully sad.
Michael Davis – thank you very much for your kind comments about Fighting for Birds
done
Getting towards end of Fighting for Birds & enjoying the more “controversial” bits. Great book, well written – combines depth of knowledge and experience with passion. Plan to move on Inglorious next as blood quietly heating as I read about slaughter of hen harriers at Sandringham….
Thanks for writing from the heart, Mark. Just joined the above RSPB protest by sending email.
Joyce, aka Nannybirds
These wetlands are so important. They just teem with wildlife, from water voles and otters, to frogbit, rootless duckweed, ornate brigadier soldierfly and great silver beetle. One of myvery favourite places. There are cheaper and much, much less damaging alternatives available to the dreadful M4 ‘Black Route’ (see the Blue Route, as proposed by the Institute of Welsh Affairs http://www.iwa.org.uk/en/publications/view/227) – estimated cost for that is less than £0.4m, whilst the Black Route is estimated to cost£1.3bn (and who has ever heard of one of these mega-projects coming in on budget). The wildlife of the Gwent Levels merit their designation as an internationally important Ramsar Site (under the Ramsar Convention) – if the public response to the consultation which closes TODAY gives a strong opposition to the road, then surely the Welsh Govt will have to think again once the dust settles after tomorrow’s Welsh Govt elections.
Cheers Julian
IF the Welsh Government listen …. but will they simply dismiss all the ‘letters’ as an RSPB campaign supported by lots of non-Welsh members interfering with their decisions?
Regardless I tweaked the offered form of words & sent.
yn syml ddim, with apologies for poor local dialect.
It’s free here:
https://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/m4-blue-route-45610.pdf
RSPB – Quid pro quo with requests for assistance?
Maybe a bit churlish, but interesting how they appear to seek your supporters help.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t anymore than some of their members will be astonished that the hierarchy are missing an opportunity to interact will real advocates for change? HH [In]Action P[R] ….
In anticipation of lots of dislikes ….
The destruction of wildlife habitats cannot go on. So many species are becoming extinct and many more heading that way with a drastic decline in numbers. Please preserve these important wetlands for the species involved and the future of the planet.
Sent message.