The Restore Nature Now march took place on the 22nd June 2024, organised by Chris Packham and over 300 Wildlife, Nature and Climare Organisations and Charities. The March was Family Friendly and had a Positive Buzz... nearly 100,000 people marched through London to request that the new Government addressed five main aims...
1 - 'A Pay Rise for Nature' to help Farmer's manage their land in a more environmentally firendly way
2 - 'Make Polluters Pay' to make businesses contribute to the restoration of nature
3 - 'More Space for Nature' to protect more of land and sea
4 - 'A Right to a Healthy Environment' to improve our access to nature
5 - 'Fair and Effective Climate Action' to improve housing, transport and energy
I was asked by The Wildlife Trusts if I would like to be one of the speakers at the march, to represent them and youth and children. I was really excited to accept with out any hesitation, and then started to plan my speech! I wanted to write about how amazing nature is, and how we must protect it! You can read my full speech below, and watch the video of it
On the day of the march, we left our hotel in the morning and walked across Westminster Bridge to Parliament, where the march would finish later in the day, and then headed through the parks to the starting point on Park Lane.
When we got there, there were already thousands of people gathering, and I made my way to the Wood Block, where I would be speaking. There were people dressed as Beavers, people carrying huge Avocets and Butterflies, people in costumes from giant Mushrooms to the Old Man of the Woods, and so many banners and placards!
On my way to the stage, we saw Craig Bennett (CEO, Wildlife Trusts) and Liz Bonnin (Preseident, Wildlife Trusts) who gave me a hug, and then the speakers started. I was the fourth speaker following Juliet, the MP for Nature, Susannah Littlewood, Trees for Cities, and Natasha Walter from Extinction Rebellion. I thought my speech went very well, despite tripping up and not being tall enough for the mic stand!
After me came Guy Shrubsole, Right to Roam, and Kabir Kaul. All the speeches were inspiring and brilliant... and I loved hearing people cheer when I made my points.
Then we started marching... we left Park Lane and headed down Piccadilly, while we went past the Ritz, I repeated my speech from the 'Rickshaw'. We went past Trafalgar Square, and then walked down Whitehall to Parliament Square.
There was a big stage and huge TV screens around so we could all see the speakers. After the rally, I went to the back of the stage and met some of the people who spoke at the main event, including Chris Packham, Indy Greene & Katie Monk, Steve Backshall, Megan McCubbin and Richard Benwell
Overall, it was an exciting and fun day, meeting lots of new and familiar faces who were all there to help protect nature... #RestoreNatureNow
My Speech...
Nature. Who cares? I do!
I’m supposed to be at my school play rehearsal today where I’m playing a ghost. Instead, I’m here trying to stop UK nature becoming ghosts. I’m not being dramatic… the latest state of nature report revealed catastrophic declines in wildlife, with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction in the UK.
Have a look around. Imagine if 1 in 6 of you disappeared.
I’m Henry, I’m 10 and I’m a Junior Wildlife Ambassador for the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants, and I LOVE nature!!
So why do I think nature is so amazing??
There’s something for everyone…. You want drama?, watch the Springwatch peregrines nest, you want pretty?, seek out orchids in a meadow, is something cute more your thing? I don’t think you can beat a harvest mouse and if you’re interested in something quirkier, how about the patterns on an adder or a stag beetle marching across a path…..
I’ve had some amazing encounters with UK wildlife and I want future generations to also experience these and better!! From the amazing sights, smells and sounds of the Gannets at Bemptoncliffs, to watching otters play and eagles soar in Mull and hearingTawny owls Twit Twoo from my back garden.
But if we just stop, and look or listen, we can find wonder in nature anywhere. I love getting on my hands and knees and looking at the bugs, watching birds flit around my garden or squirrels scampering in the park.
We need Nature, Nature helps us in so many ways:
For me,
If I’m angry, it calms me
If I’m sad, it cheers me
If I’m overwhelmed, it grounds me
But more than this, nature can be exciting, intriguing, awe inspiring, yet sometimes challenging.
I want to give back to nature, to thank it for all it’s done for me, soI’m here today to ask for help. I hope everyone will stand up for nature.
It’s my future, it’s your future, it’s everyone’s future, it’s Nature’s Future. Let’s create a wilder future.
Restore Nature Now!!
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