PLANT FOR THE PLANET, SAYS ARTIST
A Yorkshire wildlife artist is calling on gardeners to dig for their country in a plea to halt biodiversity loss.
Robert Fuller of Thixendale, North Yorkshire , is an artist of national repute and a respected authority on wildlife.
“It has never been more important to protect our native wildlife species. People think of bees or house sparrows as fairly common, but if we don't work at restoring their habitat we could actually lose them,” he said.
The UK is set to miss its target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 - with hundreds of species such as the bumblebee, common toad and hedgehog threatened.
This month the European Environmental Agency warned the loss was as important to human sustainability as climate change.
But, says the nationally-acclaimed wildlife artist, if we all do out bit in our own backyards there is a chance we can help to turn this around.
There are around 15 million gardens in the UK , covering two million acres - more space than the national reserves put together.
“During the war the Government asked people to ‘Dig for Victory' and ordinary people were encouraged to turn their plots over to feed the nation.
“Now the time has come when we need to rescue our country again. But this time we will be planting not just for our country, but for the planet.
“When you watch a programme on television and learn that yet another species has disappeared it is easy to feel as though there is nothing you can do about it.
“But there is. Pick up a spade and get into the garden. Plant a tree, dig a pond, leave out a pile of logs for insects to live in – there are so many things you can do.
Mr Fuller unveils an exquisite new range of original oil paintings that celebrate British wildlife at an exhibition this June.
He hopes that people who come to see his paintings of woodpeckers and wrens will learn to value these once-commonplace creatures.
The exhibition which runs from June 13 th -28th at The Robert Fuller Gallery in Thixendale, North Yorkshire , will also feature photographic storyboards showing how Mr Fuller transformed his own garden into a haven for wildlife.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
• Wildlife Artist Robert E Fuller's Summer Exhibition opens on June 13 th -28 th at The Robert Fuller Gallery , Fotherdale Farm, Thixendale North Yorkshire (tel: 01759 368355) www.robertefuller.com http://robertefuller.blogspot.com/
• On display will be original oil paintings, bronze sculptures, limited-edition prints and greeting cards.
• The exhibition will also feature live falconry displays during the opening weekend of June 13 th -14 th .
• Robert Fuller writes a regular column on wildlife issues for The Yorkshire Post and the Ryedale Gazette & Herald . His work on conservation has also earned him several appearances on local television .
• Robert Fuller moved to Fotherdale Farm in 1998. There was just one pair of resident tree sparrows and two garden plants at the property when he arrived.
• There are now more than 35 breeding pairs of tree sparrows; and 59 different species of bird visit the garden.
• The UK Government made a commitment at the Gothenburg Summit in 2001 to halt the decline of biodiversity by 2010. It is now on course to miss this target.
• The European Environment Agency this month warned that t he loss of biodiversity is a global threat that is every bit as serious as climate change
• The number of bird species around the world threatened with extinction has risen this year to almost 200 species.
• Biodiversity loss has had an impact on human activity through events such as flooding.
• There are around 15 million gardens in the UK , covering two million acres.
• The UK Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Horticultural Society's Wild About Gardens campaign hopes to link these spaces and create a wildlife corridor larger than our national parks.
• The Ponds Conservation Trust claims that 75 per cent of Britain's frogs now live in our back gardens
For more information or to speak to the artist contact: Lara Lambert on 01759 368355 or lambert.lara@yahoo.co.uk
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