SDG 15:Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
“The World We Want is one with acres of prosperity. We need to live surrounded by nature and its generous bounty. Isn’t our environment our home? Isn’t our planet our habitat?”
What does SDG 15 mean for us?
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Promoting the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally (Target 15.2)
In order to meet greenhouse gas targets over the next decade, at least 50,000 trees need to be planted in Lancashire every year. The Ribble Rivers Trust are a charity taking on this challenge through working to double the area of woodland in Lancashire over the next decade. They aim to plant more than half a million trees to reduce flooding, improve air quality and remove 100,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.
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Introducing measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems (Target 15.8)
Invasive alien plant species found in the Lake District include Himalayan Balsam, New Zealand Pigmyweed, Rhododendron, and Rosa Rugosa. They threaten the biodiversity and stability of local ecosystems and can harm animals. National Trust Rangers and volunteers dedicate hundreds of days annually to the removal of invasive plant species. The Big Balsam Bash is an annual event run by the South Cumbria Rivers Trust and Friends of the Lake District to bring volunteers together to tackle this problem.