More than 1,000 people supported Sheffield alliance's call for a 'nature emergency'

The day of action last Friday was organised by Nature Recovery Sheffield an alliance of Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Sheffield Green Parents and The Diocese of Sheffield, and featured on the front page of the Telegraph.

Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat politicians across the city also supported the cause, which mainly took place on social media using #naturesheffield .

“We had a huge level of support on declaration day,” said Liz Ballard, chief executive of the wildlife trust.

“However, this is just the start of our plan to help nature’s recovery in Sheffield. The doors are wide open for more people to show their support and take action.

"We want to see a local nature recovery strategy for Sheffield developed collaboratively with residents, groups and organisations.”

The group is now working on the next steps to support individuals and local groups who have signed the declaration.

One of the next phases’ is ‘Take 5 for Nature’, asking Sheffielders to do just five things to help nature and wildlife, such as joining a local Friends group or going peat free in the garden. Churches and schools are encouraged to get involved and the diocese is organising an eco church festival on June 12.

Sheffield Hallam Labour MP Olivia Blake, new shadow minister for nature, water and flooding has now called for a nature emergency summit for Sheffield.

It will invite those organisations that have declared a nature emergency to take part, so that Sheffield can ‘lead the way in addressing the ecological crisis.’

Olivia said: “I am really excited my new role will enable me to sound the alarm at a national level, championing the love of the natural world that so many in our city share.

“We need to be bold and ambitious, but also articulate concrete steps that will rescue our natural world.

“Sheffield can lead in reversing the emergency and delivering nature recovery.”

Sheffield Council’s new Labour and Green administration, as well as Liberal Democrat leader Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, supported the nature emergency call.