Champions

Debbie Abrahams MP (Oldham East and Saddleworth)

Debbie Abrahams is a Labour Party politician in the UK, and has been Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth since 2011. The constituency lies to the east of Greater Manchester, and reaches from central Oldham up in to the Pennines and Saddleworth Moor. Debbie’s constituency includes part of the Peak District National Park and the RSPB’s Dovestone reserve where dunlin, the species she champions, can be found in the breeding season.

Duncan Baker MP (North Norfolk)

Duncan Baker is the Conservative Member of Parliament for North Norfolk. Duncan’s rural constituency stretches across the northern coastline of Norfolk and includes important landscapes such as the Norfolk Broads and the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Duncan is the champion for the glow worm, a beetle within the firefly family, which is in decline and does not currently have any legal protection in the UK. In Parliament, Duncan is a member of the Environmental Audit Committee and is Vice-Chair for the Net Zero All-Party Parliamentary Group.

“As a constituency with two globally recognised Dark Sky Places – Wiveton Downs and Kelling Heath – it seems that there is much we may be able to do here to help the plight of the plucky glow worm. Not only are they beautiful, but they are one of a number of species affected by humankind’s progress, and we owe it to them to do all we can to restore their habitats and promote their breeding.”

Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcester)

Harriett is a Conservative party politician in the UK. She has been the Member of Parliament for West Worcestershire since 2010 and is the champion the Violet click beetle. West Worcestershire is a large, rural and relatively sparsely populated constituency. Harriett is on the Treasury Committee, and was previously Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.

“We are lucky to live in the most beautiful rural countryside and I have been briefed about a specific beetle which lives on Bredon Hill and which needs protecting.

“There are only three sites in the UK where the Violet Click Beetle is known to live so I was keen to sign up and do what I can to help this species.”

Hilary Benn MP (Leeds Central)

Hilary has been the Labour Party Member of Parliament for Leeds Central since 1999 and is championing the water vole . The constituency contains the retail and commercial centre of the city as well as two universities. The River Aire runs through the centre of the constituency and recent improvements in water quality have allowed species such as water vole to return to parts of the river. Hilary was Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2007 to 2010 and continues to regularly contribute in parliamentary debates on nature and the environment.

Saqib Bhatti MP (Meriden)

Saqib Bhatti is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Meriden, which is a slim rural green belt constituency in the West Midlands. Saqib is the champion for the willow tit, a UK Red List bird often found in damp willow thickets. In Parliament, Saqib sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee and is a member of the Conservative Environment Network.

Olivia Blake MP (Sheffield, Hallam)

Olivia Blake is the Labour Member of Parliament for Sheffield, Hallam. Olivia’s constituency is largely rural, with the western part of the seat falling within the Peak District National Park and comprising mostly of moorland. Olivia is the champion for the hen harrier, a bird of prey known for its spectacular ‘sky dancing’. The hen harrier is on the UK Red List and illegal raptor persecution drives their decline. In Parliament, Olivia is a staunch advocate for nature and has previously served as the Shadow Climate Change Minister and the Shadow Minister for Nature, Flooding & Water.

James Cartlidge MP (South Suffolk)

James Cartlidge is the Conservative Member of Parliament for South Suffolk, a rural seat stretching in a narrow horizontal strip along Suffolk`s border with Essex, through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Most of the seat is traditional agriculture, sitting alongside remote commuter bases for those working in London and nearby towns. James is championing the turtle dove, a UK Red List bird found mostly within woodlands in southern and eastern England. In Parliament, James is the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and an Assistant Government Whip.

Therese Coffey MP (Suffolk Coastal)

Thérèse is a Conservative Party politician in the UK. She is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Suffolk Coastal and is championing the bittern. Suffolk Coastal covers 74 miles of coastline, including Felixstowe, the biggest container port in the UK. Thérèse has parliamentary experience as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister, Health Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary.

“As the RSPB’s Bittern Champion I want to raise the profile of this once near-extinct bird which was the star of BBC Springwatch in 2014. The Suffolk coast is a special place and it is our duty to protect the fantastic wildlife who share it with us.”

Robert Courts MP (Witney)

Robert Courts is the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Witney, a largely rural constituency containing the Oxfordshire part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Robert is championing the cuckoo, a UK Red List bird renowned for its iconic song and the female’s habit of laying its eggs in other bird’s nests. In Parliament, Robert sits on the Defence Committee and has been the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Transport Secretary and the Environment Secretary.

Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford)

Tracey is a Conservative Party politician in the UK, and has been Member of Parliament for the constituency of Chatham and Aylesford in south east Kent since 2010. Tracey’s constituency includes part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where one can find wildflowers such as the common poppy – the species championed by Tracey.

Jon Cruddas MP (Dagenham and Rainham)

Jon is a Labour Party politician in the UK. He is the Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham in east London and is championing the European eel. The constituency is undergoing large scale redevelopment of brownfield industrial land along the banks of the river Thames, including the London Riverside Conservation Park. Jon is keen on fishing and is Treasurer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Angling.

Thangam Debbonaire MP (Bristol West)

Thangam Debbonaire is a Labour party politician and Member of Parliament for Bristol West since 2015. Her constituency covers most of central and west Bristol and includes Bristol University and the University of the West of England. The world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, that spans the Avon Gorge and Bristol Zoo are in the constituency. Thangam, who is championing the shrill carder bee, is Labour’s Shadow Minister for Housing.

Philip Dunne (Ludlow)

Philip is a Conservative Party politician in the UK. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Ludlow in south Shropshire. A combination of farmland and market towns, the constituency covers much of the southern half of the county and includes the Shropshire Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A farmer since 1987, Philip has previously spoken out about the need to protect the natural environment. Philip Dunne is the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee. The woods of the West Midlands are one of the remaining strongholds for the Wood white butterfly, the species championed by Philip.

“Working with Butterfly Conservation, I hope my role as Species Champion will raise the profile of this important rare species and help secure its future.”

Sarah Dyke (Somerton and Frome)

Sarah is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the rural constituency of Somerton and Frome, that includes areas of the Somerset Levels and Moors. Sarah is the Species Champion for the Great Crested Newt, which is the UK’s largest newt and a highly protected native species that has experienced enormous declines in both range and abundance. One of Sarah’s primary focuses is the environment, which she is an advocate for in Parliament but also as Somerset County Council’s environmental portfolio lead, supporting local biodiversity and climate objectives.

Sir Roger Gale MP (North Thanet)

Sir Roger Gale is the Conservative Member of Parliament for North Thanet. Sir Roger’s seat stretches along the north-eastern coast of Kent and contains several seaside towns and their rural hinterlands. Sir Roger is the champion for the beaver, a keystone species once native to Britain. Beaver populations are looking to be re-established where they used to live and are credited for their significant positive impact on the environments they inhabit. Sir Roger is also a member of the Conservative Environment Network’s Parliamentary caucus.

Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest)

Mark Garnier is the Conservative Member of Parliament for the Worcestershire constituency of Wyre Forest since 2010, covering the towns of Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley, and various rural villages. The Forest of Wyre, located on the western side of the constituency, is one of the largest areas of semi-natural woodland in the UK and home to the rare lesser-spotted woodpecker, the species championed by Mark. In Parliament, Mark is the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Brunei, Myanmar and Thailand and a member of the International Trade Committee.

“I am delighted to champion the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, the smallest woodpecker in Europe. Worryingly the Lesser Spotted has seen a 50% reduction in numbers over the last 25 years. Representing a constituency with one of the ancient English woodlands, a natural habitat for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, I look forward to learning about this bird and championing its plight.”

John Glen MP (Salisbury)

John Glen is the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Salisbury in Wiltshire since 2010. His is a large rural constituency that includes parts of the West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the northern tip of the New Forest National Park, and the southern part of Salisbury plain, including Stonehenge. He is championing the pheasant’s-eye, a small arable plant found in his constituency. John is Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister.

Robert Goodwill MP (Scarborough and Whitby)

Robert Goodwill has been the Conservative Party MP for Scarborough and Whitby in North Yorkshire since 2005 and was previously a Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber. He is championing the lesser sandeel, a small fish found in UK waters and a vital food source for seabirds. His coastal constituency contains the two seaside towns of Scarborough and Whitby, which still retain some limited fishing activity, and their rural surroundings, where agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities. Robert, whose family owns a 250 acre farm in North Yorkshire, lists his interests as agriculture, fisheries, environment and transport. In Parliament, Robert is the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee and is also a member of the Environmental Audit Committee.

Chris Grayling MP (Epsom and Ewell)

Chris Grayling has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency of Epsom and Ewell since 2001 and is championing the hedgehog. The constituency is a commuter area to the south west of London and contains the Epsom Downs, an area of chalk uplands that is the site of the Epsom Downs racecourse. Chris is the Vice-Chair for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Conservation.

“Surveys by hedgehog experts tell us that we have lost over a third of all our hedgehogs in the past decade. And they are still declining. The reasons for their decline are complex, but I hope to be able to promote the conservation of this animal in Government and see hedgehog numbers back on the rise once again”.

Andrew Griffith MP (Arundel and South Downs)

Andrew Griffith is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs, which is a mostly rural constituency within the South Downs National Park. Andrew champions the redshank, a wading bird with distinctive orangey red legs. In Parliament, Andrew has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary (Minister for Policy and Head of the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit).

Emma Hardy MP (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)

Emma Hardy is a Labour Party politician, and has been the Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle since 2017. In 2019, Emma launched Hull’s ‘Butterfly City’ project, to plant 3000 trees across the city to attract the Brimstone Butterfly, which Emma Champions. In Parliament, Emma sits on the Treasury Committee and has previously been Labour’s Shadow Education Minister.

Sally-Ann Hart MP (Hastings and Rye)

Sally-Ann Hart is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye. Her constituency sits on the south-east coast at the eastern end of Sussex and the seaside town of Hastings and tourist town of Rye are historic locations and Cinque Ports. Sally-Ann champions seagrass, a species that enhances marine environments through boosting biodiversity, stabilising the seabed, acting as a fish nursery, and locking in carbon through carbon capture. In Parliament, Sally-Ann is the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Coastal Communities and is a member of the Conservative Environment Network.

Helen Hayes (Dulwich & West Norwood)

Helen is a Labour Party politician in the UK. She is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Dulwich & West Norwood in south London. The constituency contains a number of woodlands and parks, providing an urban home to a diversity of wildlife including Helen’s species, the common pipistelle. Helen is currently Labour’s Shadow Children and Early Years Minister.

“I’m very pleased to champion the Common pipistrelle. This species can be seen in the green spaces of my constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood as well as in lots of other urban and rural settings across the UK. Watching the aerial acrobatics of common pipistrelles as they hunt insects at night is a pleasure that everyone should have the opportunity to witness. I am delighted to add my voice to that of Bat Conservation Trust in order to speak up for these wonderful but sadly undervalued and misunderstood animals.”

Kevin Hollinrake MP (Thirsk and Malton)

Kevin Hollinrake is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Thirsk and Malton, a huge rural seat in north Yorkshire, and is championing the puffin. His constituency includes part of the North York Moors and a stretch of coastline; the economy is largely based on tourism and agriculture. In Parliament, Kevin is a member of the Treasury Committee.

“This iconic seabird is very special and very precious, and it’s wonderful that we can see it here, on the East Yorkshire coast. We should all be doing our utmost to protect it. I’m delighted to help the cause – and I think taking on this role is really going to impress my eight year old daughter, which is an added bonus.”

Danny Kruger MP (Devizes)

Danny Kruger is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Devizes. Danny’s constituency in Wiltshire includes four main towns and many villages, and overlaps with the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Danny is the champion for the Great Bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world and has only a few small breeding populations left after being pushed to national extinction through persecution and habitat loss but has since been and brought back through restoration projects. In Parliament, Danny sits on the Treasury Committee and has previously held Parliamentary Private Secretary posts in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

“I am delighted to be appointed Species Champion for the Great Bustard – the traditional ‘county bird’ of Wiltshire and once again a familiar sight on Salisbury Plain thanks to the heroic efforts of David Waters and the Great Bustard Group. This huge bird needs a safe habitat in order to thrive and there is no better place in England than here in the heart of Wiltshire for the revival of this ancient indigenous species.”

Tim Loughton MP (East Worthing and Shoreham)

Tim Loughton has been the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the constituency of East Worthing and Shoreham since 1997, and is championing the yellowhammer. His constituency, which is a mixture of urban and rural areas, is located on the south coast of England and stretches from the coast into the chalk hills known as the South Downs. It includes part of the South Downs National Park and Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In Parliament, Tim sits on the Home Affairs Committee and his interests include the environment and housing.

Caroline Lucas (Brighton Pavilion)

Caroline Lucas was elected as the UK’s first Green MP in 2010. She is Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion, situated on the south coast and stretching inland to the South Downs. Caroline is passionate about the importance of securing a healthy natural environment and has sat on the Environmental Audit Committee since her election in 2010. Caroline is championing the county flower of Sussex, the round-headed rampion. Caroline is an active member of a number of environmental All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG), including Chairing the Climate Change APPG, Vice-Chairing the Ocean Conservation APPG, and an officer for the Agroecology for Sustainable Food and Farming APPG.

“I am very pleased to be the species champion for round-headed rampion. This bright blue flower is also known as the ‘Pride of Sussex’ and can be found in great numbers at Castle Hill National Nature Reserve on the edge of Brighton. However, although it is more common on the South Downs than anywhere else in the UK, it is now only found at a few places in southern England because so much of the chalk grassland where it likes to grow has been lost to farming.”

Anthony Mangnall MP (Totnes)

Anthony Mangnall has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency of Totnes since 2019 and is championing the cirl bunting. Anthony’s constituency includes rural and coastal habitats, and features the South Devon Area of Outstanding National Beauty. South Devon is one of the only areas where cirl buntings can be found in the UK. Anthony sits on the International Trade Committee and is a member of the Conservative Environment Network caucus.

Scott Mann MP (North Cornwall)

Scott is a Conservative Party politician in the UK. He is the Member of Parliament for North Cornwall, on the Atlantic coast, and is championing the sea bass. The constituency contains popular holiday resorts, and tourism, fishing and farming are the main industries. In Parliament, Scott is currently an Assistant Whip, and he has previously sat on the Environmental Audit Committee and spoken up for recreational sea anglers.

Julie Marson MP (Hertford and Stortford)

Julie Marson is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford, a constituency comprised of picturesque residential areas and green belt countryside between them. Julie is the Champion for the kestrel, which can be seen all year round in Rye Meads reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Julie’s constituency. In Parliament, Julie is the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Ministerial team and a member of the Treasury Committee.

Rachael Maskell MP (York Central)

Rachael is a Labour Party politician in the UK. She is the Member of Parliament for the urban constituency of York Central and is championing the tansy beetle. The constituency takes in most of the heart of the historic northern city. In Parliament, Rachael was formerly Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and she currently sits on the Ecclesiastical Committee.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the Species Champions initiative and adopt the Tansy beetle. This beautiful beetle has been described as the Jewel of York, and is a special species for many in our local community.”

Kerry McCarthy MP (Bristol East)

Kerry is a Labour Party politician in the UK. She is the Member of Parliament for the urban constituency of Bristol East and is championing the swift. The constituency is home to some of Bristol’s best green spaces. She was the first vegan MP in the House of Commons and is a patron of the Vegan Society. Kerry is Labour’s Shadow Minister for Green Transport.

“I’ve been asked by the RSPB to “champion” the swift as part of an effort to raise awareness and protect this remarkable migrant bird that nests almost exclusively in buildings, particularly in urban areas. Sadly the number of swifts has declined by more than 45% over the last forty years and they have been placed on the amber list. One of the problems they face is a lack of suitable nesting opportunities.”

Alison McGovern (Wirral South)

Alison is a Labour Party politician in the UK. She is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Wirral South in Merseyside – one of four constituencies covering the Wirral peninsula – made up of countryside and farmland as well as residential areas. Alison is a strong supporter of the New Ferry Butterfly Park, an urban nature reserve managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, which is located within her constituency and is home to Alison’s species, the small copper butterfly. In Parliament, Alison is currently Labour’s Shadow Minister for Employment. .

Huw Merriman MP (Bexhill and Battle)

Huw is a Conservative Party politician in the UK. He is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bexhill and Battle; a semi-rural part of East Sussex located on the south coast between Eastbourne and Hastings, and reaching north to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Huw previously chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bees, which campaigns to raise awareness of the risks to pollinators, and he continues to champion the long-horned bee. Currently in Parliament, Huw is the Transport Committee Chair, sits on the Liaison Committee, and is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fruits, Vegetables, and Horticulture.

Ed Miliband MP (Doncaster North)

Ed Miliband is the Member of Parliament for Doncaster North and the Labour Party’s Shadow Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero. He sees the environment and climate change as a defining issue for this generation. Ed has held a number of senior posts in both government and opposition, including being Leader of the Labour Party.

Ed’s constituency covers largely rural and suburban areas north and west of Doncaster, including parts of the River Don and Adwick. Former farmland within the surrounding floodplain, Adwick washland is a mix of wetland and grassland habitat that hosts a variety of wildlife, including the species Ed champions: the Starling.

Damien Moore (Southport)

Damien Moore has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency of Southport since June 2017 and is championing the natterjack toad. Southport is on the northwest coast of England and is an important tourist destination. The area is well known for its beaches and it hosts the largest area of wild dunes left in Britain. These include the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve, which is a stronghold for the natterjack toad. In Parliament, Damien is the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Tunisia and Libya.

Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon)

Layla Moran is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the constituency of Oxford West and Abingdon since June 2017. Layla’s constituency covers the west and north of the city of Oxford, the town of Abingdon and surrounding rural areas. Layla champions the skylark, a widespread bird well known for its display flights, but due to dramatic declines is now in the UK Red List. In Parliament, Layla is the Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and International Development Spokesperson.

Caroline Nokes MP (Romsey and Southampton North)

Caroline Nokes is a Conservative Party politician in the UK. She has been the Member of Parliament for the Hampshire constituency of Romsey and Southampton North since 2010. Caroline has a keen interest in environmental issues and she is championing the Duke of Burgundy butterfly. In Parliament, Caroline is the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Butterfly Conservation to raise the profile of this rare butterfly and I’m hoping that by being a ‘Species Champion’ I can contribute to securing its future in Hampshire.”

Matthew Offord MP (Hendon)

Matthew Offord has been the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the suburban constituency of Hendon in north London since 2010 and is championing the sandwich tern. His constituency contains part of Brent Reservoir (commonly known as the Welsh Harp), a large area of open water designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its breeding waterbirds. In Parliament, Matthew is a member of the Environmental Audit Committee and is Vice-Chair for the Environment and Ocean Conservation All-Party Parliamentary Groups.

Luke Pollard MP (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)

Luke Pollard is the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport and previously served as Shadow Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Luke’s constituency sits on the south-west coast of England, bordering Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, the first of its kind in the UK.

Luke champions the pink sea fan, a species that enhances and enriches the marine environment by providing safe habitats for species and important breeding and feeding grounds for commercial species. In Parliament, Luke is the vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Environment and frequently campaigns for better environmental protection.

Rebecca Pow MP (Taunton Deane)

Rebecca Pow is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Taunton Deane in Somerset, a largely rural constituency containing the market towns of Taunton and Wellington, plus surrounding Somerset villages. Rebecca champions the lapwing, a popular but declining farmland bird with a distinctive display call and flight. Rebecca launched and champions the Sustainable Soils Alliance and, in Parliament, she is the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DEFRA (Minister for Nature Recovery and the Domestic Environment).

Victoria Prentis (Banbury/North Oxfordshire)

Victoria Prentis is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Banbury, a rural constituency with two main population centres: Banbury and Bicester. Victoria, who comes from a farming family, champions the corn bunting, a farmland bird in the UK Red List. In Parliament, Victoria is the Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food.

Selaine Saxby MP (North Devon)

Selaine is the Conservative Member of Parliament for North Devon and is the Species Champion for the European Storm Petrel. Her constituency sits on the South West coast of England, and includes a long coast line and part of the Exmoor National Park. A key priority for Selaine is the environment, and as such she is a member of the Celtic Seas, Climate Change, Oceans and Environment All-Party Parliamentary Groups and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee in Parliament.

Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield)

Barry is a Labour Party politician in the UK. He has been Member of Parliament for the urban constituency of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire since the seat was first established in 1983. In 2015 Barry launched ‘Greenstreams’ – a project dedicated to improving rivers in the Huddersfield area for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

Barry is championing the Noctule bat.

Alex Sobel MP (Leeds North West)

Alex is a Labour Party politician. He has been Member of Parliament for Leeds North West since his election in 2017. Alex has a keen interest in nature, and in 2019 sponsored a Parliamentary debate on insect declines. He is currently Labour’s Shadow Minister for Heritage and Tourism.

Alex is championing the White Clawed Crayfish.

Gary Streeter MP (South West Devon)

Gary is a Conservative Party politician in the UK. He is a long time Member of Parliament for the constituency of South West Devon and is championing the horrid ground weaver spider. His constituency is a mixture of urban and rural, and includes a stretch of the coast line of Devon. Gary writes a weekly article which appears in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon.

Rt. Hon. Sir Desmond Swayne MP (New Forest West)

Desmond is the Conservative MP for New Forest West in Hampshire, is championing the smooth snake, which has a stronghold in the New Forest. The constituency, which he has held since 1997, is located in the south of England and skirts along the western edge of the New Forest and includes several market towns, a port and a stretch of coastline.

Derek Thomas MP (St Ives and the Isles of Scilly)

Derek Thomas is the Conservative Member of Parliament for the Cornish constituency of St Ives and the Isles of Scilly, at the south western tip of England, and is championing the manx shearwater. The economy in his constituency used to be based on tin mining and fishing but is now more tourism orientated. In Parliament, Derek is a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

“I am extremely honoured to have been asked to be the champion of the Manx Shearwater. Having personally been to see where the birds’ breed on the Isles of Scilly (one of just a few locations in the UK) and watched the impressive work done to ensure their conservation and protection from ground predators, I am looking forward to working with the RSPB in safeguarding the existence of this special seabird.”

Kelly Tolhurst MP (Rochester and Strood)

Kelly Tolhurst is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, a largely industrial seat in north Kent situated alongside the River Medway. Kelly is championing the nightingale, a UK Red List bird that has an iconic song and is local to her constituency.

“Recently I had the pleasure and honour of becoming the RSPB’s Nightingale Species Champion, given the importance of our local habitat to their existence and which is sadly under threat. In late 2015, the species was listed on the UK Red List meaning now more than ever greater protection is needed.”

Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP (Berwick upon Tweed)

Anne-Marie Trevelyan is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Berwick upon Tweed, the second largest constituency in England. Anne-Marie’s seat is mainly rural with a long coastline and several market towns. It contains the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve and part of the Northumberland National Park, while the entire coastline is protected for its contribution towards nationally and internationally important coastal and marine ecosystems. Anne-Marie is the champion for the kittiwake, a UK Red List gull that is of global importance. In Parliament, Anne-Marie is the Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade.

Charles Walker MP (Broxbourne)

Charles is a Conservative Party politician in the UK. He is the Member of Parliament for Broxbourne, the predominantly urban seat in south east Hertfordshire, and is championing the Atlantic salmon. Charles is a keen angler and enjoys fishing for chub and barbel on the River Lee. He is the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Angling.

Daniel Zeichner MP (Cambridge)

Daniel is a Labour Party politician in the UK. He is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Cambridge and is championing the ruderal bumblebee. Daniel is a keen environmentalist and is an executive member of Labour’s national environmental campaigning group, SERA, making the case for a shift to a greener tax policy. Daniel is Labour’s Shadow Minister for Agriculture.

“Where would we be without bees? As far as important species go, they are top of the list. I am passionate about protecting our precious pollinator species from decline as they are facing threats from loss of habitat and the Government’s opposition to the European ban on neonicotinoids.”