This flagship report paints an alarming picture

The State of Nature Report 2023 reveals that of the 3,900 animals, plants, and fungi examined, one in six face the looming threat of extinction – including water voles, sand lizards and fen orchids.

Wales is renowned for its diverse wildlife and landscapes, a rich tapestry of species that have added vibrancy to our natural environment. Today, however, we confront unsettling headlines. The escalation from 12% of bird species being red-listed in 2002 to 27% now underscores the seriousness of the situation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red-list is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity.

This is an urgent invitation to take action. While much has been done to tackle this nature crisis, we are still not where we need to be. Tackling the nature and climate crisis will be one of my priorities when I launch my strategic plan in November. Wales has a national milestones to reverse the decline in biodiversity with an improvement in the status of species and ecosystems by 2030 and their clear recovery by 2050. To achieve this, I call on every individual, community, and organisation in Wales to work with me to tackle these crises. This is a clear timeline which requires urgent action.

I join the Wildlife Trust and others in calling for policies to be targeted towards species recovery, addressing water pollution, funding wildlife-friendly farming, enabling healthy communities, and tackling climate change.

We owe it to our future generations to protect, enhance and promote our natural world. Our journey towards that goal will undoubtedly be challenging, but together, we can forge a path to a brighter, more biodiverse tomorrow.