An organisation unlike any other

I recently spent an uplifting day at the RSPB’s Hope Farm in Cambridgeshire. I was there to celebrate its 25th anniversary with RSPB staff, industry representatives and members of the press and, between reminiscing and talks, we all got to see what a special place it has become.

Over a quarter of a century, it has become an inspiring example of what, I believe, makes the RSPB unique: an organisation with a breadth of focus and expertise unlike any other.

Species, places, policy, people and science – we uniquely encompass them all. This gives the RSPB huge credibility and a depth of understanding of the issues at stake. More importantly, it gives us real insight into how to fix them.

At Hope Farm we do the research, put the policy into practice, and bring others along on our journey. During this latest visit, I was joined by senior staff from the National Farmers’ Union, who were keen to share in what we have achieved and how it might be applied to other farms elsewhere.

Our evidence base means that we can be confident in the decisions that we make. It also means that we are not afraid to make tough choices or do difficult things.

And far from being random or scattered, all this work is connected – informing other projects and ensuring we deliver for nature as a whole. Take our work on island restoration and biosecurity, for example. The places we work and the projects we undertake are sometimes at the very limit of what is possible, and that means we sometimes don’t succeed. But we learn a great deal from every attempt, making future projects more likely to succeed.

Where and how to site renewable infrastructure is another good example. We desperately need more renewable energy; climate change is one of the biggest drivers of nature loss. However, how to achieve this without negatively impacting nature is a critical question. Recent work from the RSPB’s conservation science team has shown that, with the right management, solar farms can benefit Red-listed farmland birds and help maintain connectivity within populations, providing them with a lifeline.

To undertake this breadth of work requires funding, and you can see our accounts for the past financial year here. We had a record year for income, thanks to all those who support us, but we also had record costs. It’s not just the cost of doing business that has increased; we are also doing more as we address the scale of the challenge to the natural world.

As an organisation, we must be both sure-footed and nimble. The income we receive from grants, foundations and partnerships enables us to commit to projects that last for years, just as we have done at Hope Farm. That commitment to particular species or places means that time and time again we have a long and lasting impact.

But it is you, our members, who allow us also to remain nimble, able to react to quickly changing circumstances and put nature’s best interests first when needed most.

Together with us, you create a powerful movement for nature. This is vital in shifting both public opinion and decision-makers’ choices. Anyone who attended the Restore Nature Now march in London last year will have seen what a powerful force that collective energy can be. Together we can – and must – continue to do amazing things for nature. The future depends on it.