Wetlands

Blacka Blogger is critical of conservationists when criticism is deserved. When they act in the interests of the English countryside and its people they deserve our support. And many of them habitually do that, some think they do but are misguided and some unfortunately act mainly in their own interests. I was interested in recent reports about conserving wetlands. I have some sympathy with this in some cases, perhaps the majority. But the problem for me is that it can become a bandwagon and a route for special interest groups to claim public money without mature scrutiny. Each case should be taken on its merits but instead of that the whole conservation movement seems to get together and make sure they are singing from the same sheet. They gain strength of purpose from their campaign and back each other up even when a particular situation is not wholly justifiable. It becomes a numbers game: you help with our campaign and we'll help with yours, etc. Sooner or later there's a massive orthodoxy established and those who are not 'on board' are ignored or even discredited.

A case in point is here right in front of us on Blacka. Cowsick bog has been 'managed' in the last few years against the wishes of the majority of users who walk the public right of way going across it. Doubtless the wildlife trust and their allies consider this as their own little wetland but in my view the consequences have been unfortunate even in conservation terms.