As part of my wider studies in ecology and conservation, my whole perspective on what I should do with my life has been altered by three astonishing individuals who have transformed modern nature conservation thinking in the UK.
I am very fortunate to have met all three, to observe and discuss the significant difference they are making to the South-West and if you’re not familiar with any of them, I would urge to you get reading.
In The Lost Rainforests of Britain Guy raised the awareness of these virtually unknown biomes in the UK and the significant ecological assets they contain, but shocks with the fact 90% of the temperate rainforests in Devon and Cornwall have gone.
They became smaller, more fragmented and isolated over centuries due to human influence on the landscape mainly clearing way for agriculture and the lingering threat from inappropriate grazing remains the most persistent current threat.
In Our Oaken Bones, Merlin who lives on a farm in Cornwall amongst one of the best remaining parts of a temperate rainforest, weaves a deeply moving story of the deep cultural and ecological importance of oak landscapes. He describes his experience of nature healing people and has set up the Thousand Year Trust for people to heal nature in return.
He is also pioneering the way farmers can move from practices that take from the land, to practices where nature-based solutions enable the land and the farmers to benefit.
Derek Gow is possibly the leading species reintroduction and conservation specialist we have in the UK. He is passionate and uncompromising, often provocative, but funny too. His books provide insights into his masterclass in ecological restoration both in practice and theory and the work he is doing on his farm in Devon is remarkable and well worth a visit.
I’m glad I bucked the old saying ‘don’t meet your heroes’ as meeting these three has enabled me to develop my conservation passion to another level.
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