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There is a rich and diverse natural landscape within the UK that\u2019s wonderfully matched by the breadth of the animals, plants and fungi that inhabit it.<\/p>\n
In 2019, the Landscapes Review<\/em><\/a>\u00a0showed that certain groups within the UK\u2019s society were especially disconnected from National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). The majority of visits \u201care made by the same (better off, less diverse) people repeatedly, and those who miss out are the older, the young \u2013 especially adolescents \u2013 and those from lower socio\u2010economic groups and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Some statistics from the report include:<\/p>\n Writer and activist Dawood Qureshi wrote about the lack of diversity in the conservation sector in the February 2022 issue of BBC Wildlife<\/em>, including some of the barriers faced by themselves and others from minority ethnic backgrounds.<\/p>\n \u201cAs humans, we see others doing what we love \u2013 or what we want to love \u2013 and that inspires us. But lack of representation, of seeing others like ourselves, is one of the very basic reasons for lack of diversity, as well as an effect of it. As a child I would watch countless programmes fronted by David Attenborough, Steve Irwin, Chris Packham, Jane Goodall, Steve Backshall. I wanted what they had \u2013 the chance to explore the natural world and tell its stories. But I\u2019d never been shown it was possible to someone who looked like me, or who had my life experience, to fill their shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Second part of my report looking at how inclusive our countryside is. You may also like:\u00a0<\/h4>\n
All The Elements<\/a><\/h3>\n