A new report published today by The Wildlife Trusts reveals that society must help nature adapt to the climate crisis and be prepared to see wild places change in order to survive.

The Wildlife Trusts’ first climate risk assessment, Changing Nature, examines the impacts of the changing climate across their estate, which covers nearly 400 square miles of wild space - including our 42 precious nature reserves. The report assesses the risks and looks ahead at what is needed to help nature adapt and survive in the future. The findings come at a time when the UK is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

This new research finds that, by the 2050s, under a future warming trajectory that reaches 3°C warming by 2100:

• Half of The Wildlife Trusts’ nature reserves will have 30+ days of very high fire risk yearly.
• Almost all reserves will see more than 1°C increase on hot summer days by 2050.
• 55 per cent of reserves will see nearby river flows drop by more than 30 per cent during times of low flow.

The report also shows how extreme weather is already affecting many Wildlife Trust nature reserves, including:

• Wildfires – have destroyed valuable and rare habitats, affecting the availability of food for wildlife and costing huge amounts of time and money.
• Flooding – has impacted wildlife, damaged infrastructure and increased river pollution.
• Droughts – have lowered the water table on wetland nature reserves, dried out chalk streams and peat bogs, and concentrated pollution in rivers.

The Wildlife Trusts want to see increased effort from governments, business and other landowners on climate adaptation, including greater investment in nature-based solutions and a specific focus on resilience.

Kathryn Brown, Director of Climate Change and Evidence for The Wildlife Trusts, says:

"Climate change is contributing more and more to nature’s decline, with devastating consequences for people and wildlife. We are already stepping-up our efforts to restore habitats so that they benefit wildlife and are better able to store carbon. Our report also shows the range of actions we are taking to help nature adapt to climate change and what’s needed in the future – from further rewetting of peatlands to backing community-led rewilding projects.

"The projected impact of climate change on our nature reserves is just the tip of the iceberg. We need people to join us in creating a new, national vision for our landscapes because we can no longer focus only on restoring nature to a historic state; change is inevitable.

"A concerted effort is required to create more space for nature everywhere, enabling natural ecosystems to function properly, creating habitats for wildlife, and building diversity and flexibility for the future."

Restoring nature at scale is the solution

Wildlife Trusts across the UK are already providing innovative solutions to help wildlife on land and sea adapt to the changing climate, from releasing beaves to re-bending rivers.

Here in Lancashire, we're re-wetting and restoring lowland peatlands that have been damaged by peat extraction, drainage and conversion to agriculture. And our work is already paying dividends, with locally extinct species reintroduced back into their now healthy habitat, and thriving.

Restoration isn't our sole focus when it comes to peatlands. We're also looking ahead, and working with local landowners to formulate resilient climate solutions that will sustain both people and wildlife into the future. This includes a number of 'wetter farming' trials on peaty land that was previously drained for more traditional forms of agriculture. Instead, we're now trialling growing celery: a crop that will tolerate the higher water table necessary to safeguard the carbon storage capacity of the peat it grows on, while also providing a sustainable income for the landowner. We have also planted typher (bullrushes), which can be used for biomass, insulation, fibre-board, and a replacement for down in padded jackets. Next up, we'll be planting radishes, with updates to come soon.