Open letter to the brand new Chair of RSPB – Mark Avery

Electronic mail to Sir Andrew Cahn, RSPB Chair

Pricey Sir Andrew,

Congratulations on changing into Chair of RSPB Council, though I’ve to say that on the on-line AGM I voted towards your appointment, not as a result of I’ve something towards you personally however as a result of I do know virtually nothing about you however I didn’t very like the look of your provenance. You look like a really institution determine (from the data above) and that’s the very final thing the RSPB wants from its management (IMHO). Your WWF background is especially unsuited to a land-owning and land-managing conservation physique just like the RSPB, and WWF is way too near some slightly nasty industries to my thoughts. However I hope you’ll be sensible as RSPB Chair because the RSPB is becalmed within the doldrums proper now.

I can’t think about you realize any extra about me than I learn about you so a couple of phrases of introduction. I’m an RSPB Life Member (though they’re referred to as Life Fellows which appears each pretentious and a tad gender-biased for today) and I first joined the RSPB as a YOC member in c1970. I labored for the RSPB from 1986-2011 with the latter half of that interval as conservation director. I write a weblog (on which this letter to you may be posted, alongside together with your reply), have written a number of books (my guide Preventing for Birds (2012) will let you know extra concerning the RSPB within the Eighties-2011 than most present employees might let you know) and my guide Reflections (2023) is fairly complimentary concerning the RSPB and units out my ideas on the state of UK nature conservation. I’m a founder and co-director of the campaigning organisation Wild Justice.

Sufficient about me, besides to say that I’m, I actually am (I’m not simply saying it), about to evaluation my will and I will likely be contemplating charitable donations. My mom handed away this spring and I’ve inherited some cash, a few of which has already gone to native charities, nationwide Alzheimer’s charities and one UK conservation charity (not RSPB) so that is your likelihood to impress me by your response to this missive.

By the way in which, I’ve seen among the responses that others have acquired from you and heard how the recipients felt about them. It’s unclear whether or not you will have  seen, not to mention accredited, the responses despatched out. Possibly the RSPB might spend money on an e mail handle in order that your title is connected to responses in order that it’s clear that you have to take accountability for his or her content material? Within the absence of such a technological repair, maybe you may need a line within the response to this e mail which says one thing alongside the traces of ‘Sir Andrew has seen and accredited this response’?

I’m not going to ask concerning the monetary evaluation being carried out, primarily however not solely involving expenditure on nature reserves, as I’m certain you already recognize that a large number of RSPB members and supporters will likely be watching with nice curiosity and present nervousness to see how that performs out.

Listed below are my questions.  I’ve restricted them to 10 (though some have a number of components).

1. When was the final time you had been on the RSPB’s HQ, The Lodge? What are the plans for the complicated there, buildings, gardens and the SSSI?
2. Does the RSPB intend so as to add an in-person AGM to the web model for 2025? I feel you need to.
3. Will the RSPB publish its response to the NPPF session on its web site? Or will you present full copies of the response to that and different consultations within the 4 UK nations to members on request? I’d wish to see what RSPB says to authorities and determine whether or not or not I agree with it (I’m anticipating that I’ll, however I’d like to make sure).
4. What plans does the RSPB need to row again on its gross sales of hen meals? I ask as a result of I feel there’s ample proof for hurt from illness transmission at hen feeders (and distortion of ecological stability) to warrant a change of RSPB place. In the event you don’t agree then please put me proper on the science. If I spend £20 on hen meals, how a lot of that’s revenue which will be spent on correct nature conservation – would £2 be an excellent guess?
5. I discover that just about each RSPB communication I obtain is making an attempt to get me to spend my cash (on hen meals, on entry to a raffle to win a home value hundreds of thousands of kilos, on Christmas items) however to not donate to land purchases or particular conservation tasks. I’m shocked at this. I’m one of many declining variety of RSPB members who’s cause-led slightly than a transactional member. If I’m going to offer you my cash, and help you in lots of different methods, I must be reassured by proof that you’ll flip it into extra nature on the bottom. I’m a conservation investor  searching for a conservation return on my funding.
6. What number of Lapwings, Bitterns and Roseate Terns nested on RSPB nature reserves in every of the final 10 years? These figures (and people for a lot of different species) was once publicly accessible however I can’t discover them wherever now. Are these figures identified to the RSPB or has their assortment ceased or gone into decline? Any such conservation data is what a conservation investor, like me, can be eager to see and on which funding choices could possibly be made however they’re additionally clearly and basically the kind of data on which the RSPB needs to be judging its personal success. They ought subsequently to be shut at hand. They must be (and had been) figures on which Council made choices about future conservation funding.
7. What number of foxes had been killed on RSPB nature reserves in every of the final 10 years. These figures was once publicly accessible however I can’t discover them – maybe they’re nicely hidden however I’d wish to know please. I’m not towards predator management for nature conservation in the best circumstances – as conservation director I loosened the reins on predator management however on a case by case foundation. I’m simply questioning how issues stand now.
8. Why did the RSPB not preserve an objection to the planning proposal in Caithness for the Hollandmey wind farm nor for an Journey Hub within the Pembrokeshire Coast Nationwide Park. These are simply two examples the place evidently the RSPB is lower than a dogged defender of threatened wildlife.
9. What number of new RSPB members had been recruited within the 2023/24 monetary yr? I’m within the gross determine, not the nett determine.
10. Is there something, something in any respect, you’d like to inform me earlier than I begin to determine on the right way to handle charitable donations in my will?

I’ve invested emotionally, professionally and financially within the RSPB for many years however I’ve now come to the purpose the place I really feel much less assured than ever earlier than that additional funding in RSPB conservation is warranted in contrast with different presents within the conservation market. Try to be assured that others are experiencing comparable qualms. I stay up for your reply.

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