SS15 wildlife watching: "Back to Nature: How to love life and save it" by Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin

I recently finished reading "Back to Nature: How to love life and save it" by the brilliant Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin which was published on 12^th November 2020. I am now, somewhat belatedly, writing my review.

I was really looking forward to publication day and I was not disappointed. This book is excellent and highly recommended!

Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin set up their daily Self-Isolating Bird Club via social media channels in mid-March 2020 following the first national lockdown. It subsequently reverted to every Friday morning and was then suspended in the lead up to and during BBC Autumnwatch which they both presented along with Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke. It has just been reinstated on Sunday evenings .... see here.

As Chris and Megan say ….

“One thing has become clear this year - we need nature more than ever. And it needs us too. From our balconies and gardens to our woodlands, national parks and beyond, Back to Nature captures the essence of how we feel about the wildlife outside our windows. Through personal stories, conservation breakthroughs and scientific discoveries, it explores the wonder and the solace of nature, and the ways in which we can connect with it - and protect it”.

But "Back to Nature: How to love life and save it" is more than that. It is also an invitation to not just care (that is no longer enough) but to take action and it demonstrates how ordinary people can help wildlife and the environment and become activists.

As Chris says at the end of the book ….

“In 2018, I conducted a UK bioblitz and with the help of 785 recorders and 13 recording centres our team clocked up a notable 4828 different species in 10 days …. Those people were you, or people like you. And now in the wake of the Coronavirus lockdown even more of us have connected with and found a love for and a value in nature. Even in the humblest, everyday, still common creatures that have lifted our spirits in the darkest days of a terrible crisis. And when it comes to protecting them, we have plenty of tools in the conservation box; we can rebuild, restore, reinstate or reintroduce. We can march, lobby, sign petitions, we can demonstrate. We can take action. We can make a difference.

So all you farmers, foresters, reserve wardens, teachers, students and children, all of you ‘ologists, scientists, artists, writers and bloggers, you activists, volunteers gardeners, all of you who have taken a bit of solace and respite from the horrors of 2020 by finding, engaging with and loving nature, can you please see that this is not your last chance to make a difference, it is our species’ last chance to make that difference. We don’t all have to agree about all the details but we must agree on our shared agenda. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with all who care enough to take some action and be part of making a difference. You – please, you – need to make that difference. Our wildlife needs us and it needs you more than ever”.

Everything in this book is fact, knowledge and truth unlike much of the populist nonsense and lies that are regrettably circulating all too easily and frequently (you know who you are).

Both Chris and Megan are expert naturalists plus they care .... they really care. We should listen to them and together we must tackle the critical problem of biodiversity loss and extinction caused by climate change, habitat degradation and destruction, land and marine pollution, illegal persecution and killing and so much more human behaviour.

Read this book and learn something and then come together to take action locally, nationally and internationally.

Here are Chris and Megan talking about their book pre-publication ....