Species Champions
Scotland – Nature Champions (Scottish Environment LINK)
The Nature Champions initiative encourages Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to champion threatened species and priority habitats, raising awareness and promoting action to restore and safeguard Scotland’s environment.
The Trust has two Nature Champions in Scotland:
- Graham Simpson MSP for Central Scotland (Scottish Conservative and Unionist party) championing the Bilberry bumblebee.
- Alasdair Allan MSP for Western Isles (Scottish Nationalist Party) championing the Great Yellow bumblebee.
We are also recruiting MSPs to champion the Moss carder bee and the wonderfully flower-rich machair grassland habitat.
Wales – Species Champions (Wales Environment LINK)
The Species Champion initiative in Wales invites all Senedd Members (MSs) in Wales to choose a species that is present in the area they represent, and which is facing significant threats to their future. The aim is to raise the profile of Welsh nature in the Welsh Senedd.
The Trust currently has one Species Champion in Wales:
Delyth Jewell MS for South Wales East / Aelod o’r Senedd dros Ddwyrain De Cymru (Plaid Cymru party) championing the Shrill carder bee.
England – Species Champions (Rethink Nature)
The Species Champions Initiative in England partners Members of Parliament (MPs) from England with wildlife organisations to bring political support to the protection and promotion of threatened wildlife. Each MP becomes a ‘Species Champion’, adopting their own species.
The Trust currently has two Species Champions in England:
- Daniel Zeichner MP for Cambridge (Labour party) championing the Ruderal bumblebee
- Thangam Debbonaire MP for Bristol West (Labour party) championing the Shrill carder bee.