South Downs National Park Authority issues a call to action after damning State of Nature report

The report, based on analysis from 60 organisations up and down the UK, shows that one in six species of animals across Great Britain are at risk of being lost. This is an increase on an already-drastic 2014 figure which suggested one in ten species were at risk.

Andrew Lee, director of countryside policy and management at the South Downs National Park said this is a “watershed moment” for wildlife in the UK: “We welcome the publication of the report, which reveals just how much nature needs us at this critical time. It’s a watershed moment for wildlife that should make us all take stock and, if we’re to turn a corner as a nation, the decisions made over the next few years are going to be so important.”

The report says the decline is a direct result of climate change, changes to the way we manage our land for farming and unsustainable fishing practices leading to widespread habitat loss.