Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT) were among 380 charities, businesses and action groups that delivered a powerful message to all the UK’s political parties to 'Restore Nature Now'.

Ahead of the general election, over 60,000 people marched through central London to parliament on Saturday, June 22 which, according to all the UK Wildlife Trusts, has been the biggest public demonstration in the run-up to the election.

Celebrities who attended included Feargal Sharkey, Emma Thompson, Chris Packham, Dr Amir Khan, Liz Bonnin, Steve Backshall, Megan McCubbin, Dale Vince and Mya-Rose Craig. 

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Among the well-known faces was one that will be familiar to many Cumbrians.

Big Dave, CWT's black-and-white striped European Badgermascot, featured in many photographs at the protest. 

A post on the CWT Facebook page read: "He was such a conversation starter and brilliant at bringing people together - Big Dave for Prime Minister, anyone?).

"Thanks to Lizzy, our Cumberland Community Development Officer, for making him."

(Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust) Other mascots that towered above the tens of thousands of marchers was a giant avocet, bat, hare, mushroom and salmon puppets.

The family-friendly, legal and peaceful march was a huge celebration of nature and also saw people form a walking wood and walking meadow.
 
At the end of the march in Parliament Square, celebrities and campaigners gathered in front of the army of marchers to take to the stage to talk about the state of UK nature and the political action needed to improve it.  

Amazingly, three peregrines made a surprise appearance by soaring over the crowds in the square during the speeches. 

(Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust) Ruth Alcroft, Cumbria Wildlife Trust Volunteer Co-ordinator said: "We came from 380 different organisations, with different philosophies, different focuses, different ways of campaigning. And we don't all agree with each other on everything.

"But we all fundamentally agree on how desperately we need to take action for nature.

"And we put aside our difference and came together to show how important this is."

(Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust) All campaigners have agreed on five challenges that they are putting to politicians ahead of the general election.

These are:

  • A pay rise for nature - the nature and climate-friendly farming budget doubled. 

  • Make polluters pay - new rules to make polluters contribute to nature and climate recovery 

  • More space for nature - to expand and improve protected areas, and ensure public land and National Parks contribute more to recovery. 

  • A right to a healthy environment - an Environmental Rights Bill, which would drive better decisions for nature, improve public health and access to high-quality nature. 

  • Fair and effective climate action - increasing home energy efficiency, supporting active travel and public transport, and replacing polluting fossil fuels with affordable renewables. 

Cumbria Wildlife Trust, alongside other environment groups are encouraging members of the public to get involved to raise nature and climate issues with political candidates during the election.

You can find out more at the Restore Nature Now website.