Why should we care about Nature?by Fiona Bennett-Meere, Wildlife & Community Ranger In March, my husband and I attended a talk during Oxford Literary Festival that left a lasting impression on us both. We listened to Chris Packham, Michael Morpurgo, Isabella Tree and Philip Lymbery discuss why nature matters and what each of us can do to protect it. We came away inspired, better informed - and with a sense of responsibility to share those messages as widely as possible. Take actionAt the close of the discussion, Philip Lymbery asked the panel one final question: what single piece of advice would they give the audience? Chris Packham shared a story about a conversation he had with Sir David Attenborough at the close of the COP26 summit. He asked Sir David how he felt his speech had gone. Sir David replied, “I think they listened and took it in but I fear tomorrow they will all have forgotten it.” Chris Packham’s message was both simple and urgent: don’t let the ideas shared in the talk just fade away. Take one action for nature - whatever you can manage - and inspire others to do the same. Isabella Tree echoed that call with powerful clarity: just do something. Plant a seed. Pick up a piece of litter. Listen to birdsong. Meaningful change does not begin with grand gestures; it begins with small, deliberate acts repeated by ordinary people. You do not need to lead a celebrated rewilding project like Isabella Tree to make a real difference. Sir Micheal Morpurgo highlighted the vital role of education and the need to connect children with the natural world. Every child should have the chance to experience nature firsthand, to understand where food comes from and to recognise the consequences of human choices and actions. If we want a healthier planet and a more responsible future, we must nurture curiosity, awareness and respect for the world around us from the very beginning. Movement & musicIf these words can encourage just one person to step outside, then they will have served their purpose. The countryside is alive with movement and music; buzzing insects, fluttering wings and birdsong rising from every corner. As I sit writing this at home, a Goldfinch is gathering old lavender stems and carrying them to its nest. Yesterday, I picked herbs from containers I planted a few years ago using repurposed old boxes. These may seem like small moments, but they are reminders that nature is always there, waiting for us to notice it. So, go for a walk, identify a flower, or share a picnic outdoors. The possibilities are endless - because nature offers something to everyone, wherever you are and whatever space you have. Imagine how much brighter and more hopeful our planet could be if each of us did one thing today for nature. Pass it forward!
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