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Restore Nature Now March

Date
22 Jun 2024
Time
12:00 – 18:00
Free
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We all know the natural world is in trouble and the time for action is now. That’s why on 22 June we are joining tens of thousands of people to unite at the Restore Nature Now march in London and call for urgent action by governments.

Join us at this family-friendly, peaceful march to make a difference. Together with fellow nature and climate charities, we want to celebrate nature and call for all political parties and all governments across the UK to take immediate action to protect and restore our wonderful wildlife.

Why are we marching?

With more than half of UK plant species in decline and 1 in 6 wildlife species at risk of extinction, our wildlife needs emergency action.

We’re joining environmental campaigners in a united call for future leaders to prioritise nature and biodiversity.

Coming together with dozens of organisations and thousands of people from across the country ahead of the general election, the march will show future politicians that national and global nature restoration needs to be a priority. We need immediate political action to bring endangered plants and fungi back from the brink of extinction and restore species-rich habitats such as grasslands and temperate rainforests.

A protestor holding a banner reading 'our species need us now'

March with us to show support for these asks: 

  • Providing more funding to ensure a nature-friendly farming approach
  • Making polluters pay for the damage they do to the environment
  • Creating more space for nature by expanding and improving protected areas and public land
  • Putting a legal right to a healthy environment in law – clean air and water and access to nature for all communities
  • Delivering fair and effective climate action that means we at least halve UK emissions by 2030.

This general election (4 July 2024) will be crucial to determine if the UK’s nature recovery targets will be met and our future policy-makers need to recognise and act on the unity of concerns that communities, climate and wildlife are currently facing.

Join our marching meadow

Bring the meadow to the march and celebrate our wild plants and fungi by dressing up in any floral, fungal or foliose ensemble you have!

As leaders of the land section, help us create a moving meadow of floral and mushrooms heads to rise above the crowds. Follow along with our own Sarah Shuttleworth to learn how to make a flower or fungi crown – just from things in your recycling box

How to make your own placards

If you’re coming along or joining in from home, why not make some colourful placards to help us shine a light on the importance of wild plants and fungi.

Tips to make the best placards:

  • Big and strong – reuse old cardboard or cereal boxes as the base and attach a solid branch or pole to hold your banner above the crowds
  • Make it catchy – add a short, bold slogan in large letters to really stand out
  • The more colourful the better – use bright and contrasting colours on your own designs or our templates. Or even add some real leaves or flowers!

After your flowers or fungi have completed the march, why not pop them in your front window to show your support for nature in the run up to the general election.

And if you’re still feeling creative, why not check out these ideas from our fellow marchers.

The logistics

We will assemble on Park Lane at 12.00 to be ready to march at 13.00 at the latest. Using the Restore Nature Now interactive map, Plantlife staff and supporters will be gathering at the G19 location, outside Londis, as part of the land section of the march. Please also listen out for Plantlife speakers at 12:25.

We would love for you to join us – look out for our flower and fungi-shaped placards and blue Plantlife tshirts. The rally of speakers in Parliament Square will commence at 14:25 and the event should be finished by 16:30.

For more details please visit here.

This inclusive demonstration will be a colourful spectacle for nature enthusiasts of all ages and all communities to shout, drum and cheer for our wildlife. We will be attending the march and co-leading fellow land–themed organisations.

The march will be fully stewarded, wheelchair accessible and speeches will be BSL interpreted. Arriving via public transport is encouraged, if possible.

Remember to bring water, comfortable clothes and your voices!

And if you’re eager to help on the day, the Restore Nature Now team are recruiting volunteers to help with stewarding and safety (must be over 21).

Sign up to the march on the Restore Nature Now website.

If you can’t join us

No need to worry, you can still help us shout about the importance of wild plants and fungi from home.

  • If you have a go at our flower and fungi-themed crafts – pop them in your front window and share them on social media (tagging us and @RestoreNatureNow)
  • Email your local MP, MSP or MS with a personal message about why they must act to restore nature now (and mention the 5 asks of the Nature 2030 campaign)
  • Follow the march online through this livestream on Instagram

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