The RSPB aims to ‘reach out beyond its traditional nature reserves’ to restore disappearing species to huge swathes of the wider countryside.

In a new strategy called ‘Futurescapes’ the society will work in partnership with businesses and local council to create whole landscapes where people and nature can co-exist.

The report, released on May 4, highlights successes, such as with waste management firm Veolia.

The two have worked together to regenerate large areas of landfill and grassland, transforming them into wetlands and public space.

And, the RSPB believes this approach could help to reverse the decline in natural habitat in Britain.

Futurescapes manager, Aidan Lonergan, said: “Nature reserves are vitally important – they are a refuge from where plants and animals can spread into the wider countryside.

“But that countryside is increasingly unfriendly to wildlife because of decades of habitat loss, which has robbed many species of food and shelter.

“We need to turn that around. Working with others, we can once again make large areas of the countryside rich in wildlife.

“We need to move beyond the nature reserve and create really big areas of land, whole landscapes, where wildlife has space to move and thrive.”

Luke Walsh

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