News / Politics
Nature is Lush campaign demands future metro mayor ‘dig deep for nature’
Three of the five West of England metro mayor candidates met on the site of the new Lower Chew Forest on a crisp Monday afternoon.
Mary Page (Green), Oli Henman (Liberal Democrat) and Steve Smith (Conservative) took up spades and planted a tree to demonstrate their commitment to local nature recovery.
The symbolic event served to launch the ‘Nature is Lush. Let’s vote for it‘ campaign led by Avon Needs Trees in coalition with wildlife, conservation and campaigning organisations across the region.
is needed now More than ever
The coalition are asking metro mayor candidates to ‘dig deep’ and commit to specific nature recovery and climate mitigation actions, should they be elected.
The campaign is supported by Dragon’s Den TV star Deborah Meaden, wildlife campaigner Chris Packham and ornithologist Dr Mya-Rose Craig who have each signed an open letter, alongside other high profile business leaders and campaigners, asking candidates to ‘root for nature recovery in the region’.
Residents can also lend their voice in support by signing a petition requesting strong leadership on nature recovery and sustainable green growth.
WECA mayoral candidates were invited to plant a tree in advance of the May 1 election
All five candidates were invited to the ceremonial planting of a Hawthorn tree at Lower Chew Forest, the South West’s largest new woodland in a generation and one example of a largescale nature project made viable, in part, by significant backing from the Mayoral Combined Authority.
“Lower Chew Forest is a massively exciting project,” said Steve Smith, the Conservative candidate and former Bristol lord mayor.
“It’s going to be transformational for the area and to be able to come and plant one of the first trees in this location was too good an opportunity to miss.”
The mayoral candidates were asked to plant the Hawthorn, also known as a May tree, to symbolise the commitments they would make beyond election day on May 1.
The campaign is asking candidates to confirm continued support for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Green Recovery Fund, and for a commitment to action on climate change mitigation, creation of green jobs, and support for the West of England Nature Partnership‘s ambitions for nature recovery between 2030 and 2050.
“For me this is about how we can undo that loss of nature and biodiversity that we’ve had and seen over our lifetimes,” said Green Party candidate Mary Page.
“A project like this actively works to put nature back at the forefront of our minds and at the forefront of the balance books.”
Oli Henman, Liberal Democrat candidate, said: “I believe we’ve got an opportunity in our region to be leading on nature and biodiversity. I think what is happening at Lower Chew Forest can be an exemplar for many other regions of the country.
“I think we can be a real leader in this part of the world. I would want to make sure that the mayor is, first of all, driving the local nature recovery strategy.”
The campaign highlights the importance of preserving and expanding natural spaces, restoring habitats, and implementing policies that promote both biodiversity and community wellbeing. It calls on candidates to prioritise woodland creation, habitat restoration and sustainable land management.
High profile backers also highlight the benefits to people and communities, with Deborah Meaden saying: “Green spaces make us all happier and healthier,” and Mya-Rose Craig demanding the new metro mayor “meet the moment, to commit to positive action for local communities.”
As well as tree planting, the metro mayor candidates were given a tour of the Lower Chew Forest site and shown plans for further nature recovery by Avon Needs Trees staff
Mark Funnel, chair of Avon Needs Trees, said: “Nature in the West of England must flourish alongside other priority issues such as housing and transport.
“The outgoing mayor’s tenure saw some real progress in this area and this campaign is about making it clear that people want our next metro mayor to continue to champion nature recovery and lead the way on green growth. Nature underpins a strong economy, and is central to the quality of all our lives.”
The campaign aims to gather 5,000 signatures on their petition to show widespread public support for policies that ensure the region can ‘bloom not bust’. Sign the petition here: avonneedstrees.org.uk/weca-mayoral-campaign
All photos: Alex Turner
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