In Reflections: What Wildlife Needs and How to Provide It, Mark Avery writes from his perspective as a British ornithologist, conservationist and author who has dedicated his career to the study and protection of avian life. Formerly serving as the Conservation Director for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Avery's wealth of experience and passion is evident in this book, which offers a captivating and honest critique of the way wildlife conservation is being done in the UK. Throughout the book, Avery invites readers to consider their own relationship with nature and reminds them to appreciate the wildlife around them—even if daily life, as he puts it, ‘does not include coral reefs, wolves, or rainforests’ (p. 33). This quote particularly resonated with me, as early on in my journey into the conservation sector I had always imagined that to encounter remarkable wildlife, I had to be abroad—but that notion turned out to be far from the truth.
The initial chapter, in line with its title, offers ‘glimpses of wildlife' drawn from Avery's personal encounters. We learn about the herb-Robert plant growing by his doorstep, the hedgehogs that have disappeared from his garden, and his appreciation of the now rare pasqueflowers. As expected, the book also vividly showcases his knowledge and love of birds. This sadly includes accounts of diminishing birdlife such as the quieting of nightingales, a once a familiar presence in the woods that Avery visits frequently with his family. In the second chapter, Avery examines the state of wildlife in the UK, beginning with an outline of different wildlife monitoring schemes and how they have developed over time. This is followed by well-researched sections on topics such as species extinctions, reintroductions, the loss of ancient woodlands and the role of the farming industry. I learnt a lot reading this chapter and found Avery's analogy of the Four Horsemen of the Ecological Apocalypse to be an engaging and clever way of explaining some of the main causes behind wildlife declines. Despite all the challenges wildlife conservation is facing, the book does not fall short of showcasing success stories that filled me with hope, inspiration and the conviction that positive change is attainable. A wonderful example is Knepp Estate, an area in West Sussex once intensively farmed, but which has been devoted to rewilding since the early 2000s. Through efforts largely based around the use of free-roaming herds of large herbivores to drive habitat regeneration, the former agricultural land has been transformed into a thriving habitat for a vast array of wildlife, including many rare species, demonstrating that positive ecological outcomes and biodiversity recovery are possible.
The concluding chapters proved to be the most educational and held particular significance for me, as I read the book specifically with the goal of learning more, especially about the importance of politics in conservation. Avery not only boldly outlines where the UK government is failing but also offers an honest critique on the work of NGOs. Although I found some of his criticisms quite harsh, such as the failure of NGOs to celebrate success, I agree that it is essential for organizations to be more politically engaged and not remain in ‘comfortable mode’ (p. 155) amidst a worsening wildlife crisis. Delivering on the promise in its title, the book concludes with seven practical and convincing proposals outlining what wildlife needs, and the different ways we can provide it. Here, Avery urges readers to consider which NGOs they may wish to support, and encourages them to actively engage with the chosen organizations ‘as they are not just the voice of wildlife, but the voice of wildlife supporters too’ (p. 183).
Reflections stands as an illuminating testament to Avery's profound commitment to wildlife conservation. Through personal encounters and well-researched insights, the book not only educates but inspires a deeper connection with the natural world. As Avery critiques the state of wildlife conservation in the UK, he prompts readers to consider the collective impact we have on wildlife. The book is a compelling read and I recommend it to all those who value nature and want to learn more.
Open access
