Restore Nature Now was a legal, peaceful, inclusive and family-friendly demonstration, and the biggest gathering of people for nature and climate that the UK has ever seen. We were joined by some of our volunteers and took lots of posters (and even fancy dress!) down to the capital with us.

The march started at Park Lane and ended at Parliament Square, where thousands gathered to hear from the likes of Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin, Steve Backshall and the CEO and President of The Wildlife Trusts, Craig Bennett and Liz Bonin (watch the live stream here). The message was clear: both nature’s recovery and the climate crisis need to be high up on the agenda for our next government.

It was so encouraging to see people from all ages and backgrounds shouting and cheering, giving nature the voice it so desperately needs.

Text from the official website for Restore Nature Now states:

“The natural world is in trouble and we need to take action. We want to see UK politicians show strong domestic and global nature and climate leadership by:

1. 1. Giving a pay-rise for nature
2. 2. Making polluters pay
3. 3. Delivering more space for nature
4. 4. Putting a right to a healthy environment in law
5. 5. Ensuring fair and effective climate action”.

This lines up very similarly to our own five asks for the next government as part of our #VoteWildlife campaign, which you can read here.

Our next leaders will be the ones that will make or break our ability to reach our 30 by 30 goal, with 30% of land and sea in recovery by 2030. Let’s hope our message was heard and will be taken seriously by our future government.