State of Nature is the most comprehensive nature report covering the UK. Working with professionals from over 60 research and conservation organisations, the report uses the latest data collated by the incredible work of thousands of skilled volunteers, to provide a benchmark for the status of our wildlife. Since 1970, the abundance of species studied has declined on average by 19%. However, we also know that before widespread monitoring began, the UK's biodiversity had already been highly depleted by centuries of habitat loss, unsustainable farming practices, development, and persecution.

As a result, due to human activity the UK now has less than half of its biodiversity remaining. 50 years of evidence presented in the State of Nature report, shows that the intensive way in which we manage our land for farming and the continuing effects of climate change, are the two biggest drivers of nature loss. At sea, unsustainable fishing and climate change are the major contributing factors.

Many groups studied show worrying declines. More than half of plant species have decreased in their distribution (54%) and the distribution of invertebrates in the UK has also decreased on average by 13% since 1970. The distributions of pollinator species, including bees, hoverflies and moths, have decreased by 18% on average, whilst those species providing pest control, such as the 2-spot Ladybird have declined by more than a third (34%).

The State of Nature report also found that out of the assessed habitats which are important for wildlife, only one in seven (14%) were found to be in a good condition and only one in fourteen (7%) woodlands and a quarter (25%) of peatlands were assessed to be in a good ecological state. Due to habitat damage from fishing gear, none of the seafloor around the UK was found in good condition.

Despite recent moves towards more nature-friendly land and sea use, as yet only a fifth of farmland is now in agri-environment schemes with only some of that helping nature, just 44% of woodland is certified as sustainably managed and only half of fish stocks are sustainably harvested. While all three measures have improved markedly over the past 20 years, there is still a very long way to go. The best available information suggests that nature-friendly farming needs to be implemented at a much wider scale to halt the decline in farmland wildlife and must be considered alongside the triple challenge of responding to the climate and nature crises whilst still meeting people’s needs for food, energy, and fuel.

Optimistically the report also highlights where concerted wildlife conservation action has made a key difference to many species and habitats. For example, large-scale restoration projects, such as Cairngorms Connect benefits a suite of woodland dependent species.  Nature conservation works but the scale and ambition need to be rapidly ramped up to tackle, stop and reverse the declines demonstrated by State of Nature.

Ian Barrett, CEO of Avon Wildlife Trust said “The State of Nature report shows that nature all over the UK is in serious decline. This is nothing new, we have known about this and the causes for decades. The report shows that nature all over the UK is in serious decline. What we need now is serious and immediate action! Where the Wildlife Trusts are working, wildlife is coming back, but we need more action in more places. We need the Government to prioritise nature's recovery on land, in the sea and in our rivers so that wildlife can thrive and rebuild the natural life support systems on which we all depend.”

In response to the report, Chris Packham organised a movement called 'Restore Nature Now' where he encouraged wildlife conservation charities, environmental groups, NGOs and concerned citizens and nature lovers to gather outside Defra offices in London, Newcastle, York and Bristol to highlight the report and with a call to action, restore nature now! Organisations such as the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, The Woodlands Trust, WWF, the Wildflowl & Wetlands Trust, Greenpeace and Buglife all got involved. Staff and supporters from Avon Wildlife Trust took part in Bristol and gathered outside the Defra offices. Thank you to all those who came along to show support and demand change! 

Ian Barrett said at the rally "This is the tenth year we've had a State of Nature report out and things continue to get worse. We really need to see action now and its great to see so many people here supporting nature and making that point." 

To read the full State of Nature report, click here. 

To find out how you can help defend nature, click here.