How Dorset Wildlife Trust is taking action in each of the five areas we are asking candidates to address (using the 200 word limit per question as requested of candidates).

Q: What do you propose, to answer the challenge of climate change and its effects on wildlife?
 

• Dorset Wildlife Trust is promoting ‘Living Landscapes’ as the best holistic solution for wildlife to adapt to climate change. Our approach recognises wider social, economic and environmental factors and benefits that influence wildlife, and seeks to find mutually beneficial solutions with the people whose communities and livelihoods lie in these landscapes. Living Landscapes will safeguard our wildlife through an unprecedented period of climate change, and be stronger in the face of changes to agriculture, industry and communities.
   
• We are working with the National Trust, Environment Agency and others to seek a sustainable response to sea level rise which will affect Brownsea Island, and in particular the lagoon which is of international importance for birds. It is important that plans are discussed now, to try to create suitable habitats in alternative locations so that bird populations can be maintained in the long term.
   
• Dorset Wildlife Trust is committed to supporting sustainable living and is a member of the Dorset Climate Change Coalition and other partnerships which promote measures to reduce climate-change causing emissions. We are also seeking to reduce the impacts of our own business through our environmental policy and action plan. 

Imogen Davenport
Director of Conservation