If government officials think they can relax, they might want to reconsider. Nature campaigner Mark Avery is stepping back from his role with Wild Justice, but that doesn’t mean he’s stepping back from fighting for wildlife. He wants to spend more time in his garden with nature and his grandkids.
Avery co-founded Wild Justice with Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay. Over the past six years, they have made a name for themselves by holding the government accountable for its broken promises regarding biodiversity in Britain. Avery, a former conservation director at the RSPB, remains a strong advocate against driven grouse shooting and will continue to push for this change even as he departs from day-to-day activities.
The organization recently saw a surge in support for its petition to ban driven grouse shooting, nearing 50,000 signatures. This follows a previous petition that resulted in a parliamentary debate back in 2021. Avery is hopeful that under a potential Labour government, which currently includes several MPs who are environmentally-minded, these issues will gain more attention.
Avery is disappointed with the current government’s approach to environmental challenges. He feels that a lack of interest in rural issues among MPs is hindering progress. He believes that the Labour party should take a clearer stance on grouse shooting and other wildlife matters to distinguish themselves from previous administrations.
When considering the future of driven grouse shooting, Avery notes that changing climate conditions have led to a decline in grouse populations. He hopes for more support for landowners to shift towards sustainable practices such as carbon storage and rewilding. He argues that it’s time to move away from outdated traditions that have contributed to environmental damage, like flooding and illegal wildlife killings.
Critics of grouse moor management argue that it harms the environment. While moor managers claim that controlled burning of heather is done for conservation, many believe it actually damages protected habitats. The illegal persecution of birds like hen harriers remains a significant issue, despite claims of improvement.
Wild Justice has seen notable success since its inception, including significant changes to wildlife management laws. Two major victories have included the criminalization of hunting birds like jackdaws and the regulation of pheasant releases that threaten native wildlife. These efforts are helping to protect birds during outbreaks of avian flu.
Avery believes that conservation groups like the RSPB and National Trust need to engage their memberships more actively. He observes that people interested in nature often don’t gather in large numbers like sports fans do, which makes their voice less visible. He urges these organizations to mobilize their members to advocate for wildlife protection more vigorously.
Though Avery steps back from daily operations, he emphasizes that Wild Justice will not lose momentum. The organization plans to continue pressing the government to do better for wildlife. Ultimately, the goal is to create a system where the needs of nature are prioritized, advocating for those species that cannot defend themselves. Avery insists that they will hold the government accountable, becoming a voice for wildlife in need.
