Turning
up the Volume
Peter
Exley
Tuesday 12th October 2010
I’ve always believed that it is
important for RSPB staff to communicate with its members on a regular basis in
order to keep the membership up to date with what is going on and where the
money is being spent. Birds magazine does an excellent
job nationally with this and the attendance by Regional Office staff at Local
Group meetings can add the local information. At this years
AGM it was the turn of Peter Exley (always an
interesting speaker) to cover the campaigns of the RSPB ranging from its
creation and early campaigns to the present day with a brief look into the
future.
Peter explained how, from it’s small beginnings of a few ladies campaigning against
the killing of birds for ladies hat feathers, the RSPB grew slowly at first,
acquiring its first few reserves, creating the first Local Groups, through the
protection of returning birds like the Avocet and Ospreys to a huge successful
campaign against the building of
Recent projects have been the
acquisition of Sumatran rainforests and the on going Crane project and much
pressure was exerted by the RSPB to attain the recent Marine Bill. Peter was
able to give first hand information on the Albatross campaign. Warning flags
and rubber strips attached to trawlers net guide ropes and special hooks which
only unfurl at a certain depth on the dreaded long lines are greatly reducing
the deaths of these magnificent birds.
The RSPB Letter to the Future is the
latest campaign warning the government of the dangers associated with reducing
spending on the environment too far. Too deep the cuts and aspects of nature
and some species will never recover. We all owe it to the next generation to
sign this letter. You will find details of the letter on www.signtheletter.org.uk or phone
0303 030 7772. So if you haven’t already signed it……do
it now!
John Allan