Cumbria Wildlife Trust has joined other organisations to showcase the 'devastating' decline of nature in the UK.

A new report, 'State of Nature 2023', was published today and detailed how one in six species is now at risk of being lost from Great Britain, with a wildlife depletion of 19 per cent since 1970.

Ahead of the General Election, the Wildlife Trusts are calling on politicians of all parties to commit to an ambitious programme of policies to support nature’s recovery.

Stephen Trotter, chief executive of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “Unlike much of England, Cumbria still has some wonderful wildlife, especially in some of its network of nature reserves. 

"But sadly, even here, wildlife and wild places are under threat from changing land-use, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species and the changing climate."

The trusts put together five points which they believe future policies should follow.

These were bringing back the UK's lost wildlife, ending river pollution, funding wildlife-friendly farming, enabling healthy communities, and tackling the climate emergency through the protection of natural habitats.

"We’ve already lost some wildlife species from the county - most recently a moorland bird called the twite - and many more once common species are in decline to the point where they’re only found on nature reserves," Mr Trotter added.

"On land, only 15% of Cumbria is currently managed for wildlife and only one fifth of this protected land is in a good condition for wildlife."

He went on to say that this was 'not good enough' after the UK committed to the international goal of having 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

"A healthy natural environment is the foundation for our economy and for the health, wealth and wellbeing of local communities," he said.

"If we want to create healthier, happier, and more prosperous communities, we need to put wildlife and habitats back where they’ve been lost."