Shropshire Star

National Trust in Shropshire vows to address global warming

National Trust places and properties in Shropshire have vowed to address global warming as part of charity's ambition to be carbon-neutral by 2030.

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Upland heathland on the Long Mynd

To mark its 125th anniversary, the National Trust in the Midlands has reaffirmed its pledge to tackle climate change, with Shropshire doing its bit.

In the Shropshire Hills and at Dudmaston, near Bridgnorth, the National Trust will build on several existing schemes that will help to address climate change, such as restoring meadows which store carbon and can prevent flooding.

Peter Carty, countryside park and gardens manager for National Trust, Shropshire Hills, said: “Everyone needs nature, and nature needs everyone, today more than ever – and for our 125 th anniversary we’re looking forward, building on the great work of our teams, volunteers and partners.

"As a conservation charity, it is our responsibility to help mitigate climate change, by providing homes for the local wildlife to thrive, such as hedgerows for bats and birds, and by restoring the existing habitats.

“I’m especially proud of the work we’re doing here in the Shropshire Hills which is absolutely vital and will offer locals a place to reconnect with nature."

Meadows are also home to pollinators – birds, bats, bees, butterflies, dormice, and other small mammals that pollinate plants and keep our ecosystems healthy by helping plants reproduce.

The conservation charity took its first step into the new decade with a speech from director general Hilary McGrady, who outlined the National Trust’s long-term plan to reverse the decline of nature and become carbon neutral by 2030.

To achieve its ambitious goals, the National Trust has pledged to plant 20 million trees over the next ten years, covering the size equivalent to one and a half times the size of the city of Manchester, and locking up more than 290,000 tonnes of carbon, roughly the output of 37,000 UK homes.

In addition, the newly created woodland areas will provide a home for an array of species, including birds, bats and bugs, while offering those in nearby towns and cities a better access to nature.

To find out more information about National Trust’s conservation work, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/MidlandsNatureMoments

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