One of the most important components for protecting our nature, is people power.
The life of a naturalist is an exciting, adventurous and happy one. My strong connection is with the natural world, it brings me so much joy wherever I go, I see the world in a different and more exciting way than most.
But unfortunately, we always have a dark cloud following us. That dark cloud is the constant destruction of our surroundings, often from development and many other things like pollution, the climate crisis, deforestation, changes in land and sea use, invasive species, the list goes on.
As I’m sure you’re aware at the moment one of the most incredibly special parts of Thanet is under threat from a giant development by National Grid. A giant converter site is planned to be built on the Minster marshes. This involves giant buildings 100ft high and its associated infrastructures such as roads and super pylons, it will have an irreversible effect on the environment.
Many of the people with a connection to the natural world are aware how incredibly special these wetlands are and have decided to fight it. I have been working alongside many others to get the story out there about what’s happening, what will be affected and most importantly what we can do.
There’s a long road ahead of us in this battle but we have started by heading out and putting on public meetings for people to attend. At these meetings (that have now finished) we explained everything and showed off the incredible wildlife there. We’ve held meetings so far in Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Minster and Sandwich, it has been hard work but great to see people turning up to listen. It’s been so heart-warming to see people coming together – various local residents, many local councillors (from different parties), landowners, an MP (Roger Gale), naturalists, photographers and a gamekeeper.
Thanet is one of the most nature depleted parts of the country and there is much less of a connection with nature than elsewhere in the UK, therefore overall, less appreciation. So, when it comes to the risk of great destruction like this people tend to be less likely to fight for it.
I am always standing up for nature like many others in Thanet. Although I’m not alone I often feel very alone losing battle after battle, watching Thanet relentlessly turn to concrete and losing tree after tree. I feel like there’s nothing I can do and my efforts are wasted, but I want to be someone that tried. I have a fire in my belly.
Recently things have been different. On this occasion people have joined the battle on this one particular devastating development. We have all come together, there’s a community of us. We are going to be fighting this development. We can fight it and we can make a difference.
It makes me feel great to know other people share that fire in their bellies and will come together to protect what is ours. Be someone that is willing to get up, get out and protect our natural world, don’t just give up or consider it someone else’s job. Be someone that tried.
Thanet nature expert Nik Mitchell runs the Wildlife Conservation in Thanet page on facebook
