NEW ROLE FOR AUTHOR AND ACTIVIST MARK AVERY

                                                         

Mark Avery - extinction expert

WILDLIFE author, blogger and activist Mark Avery has been named as  new chair of trustees of the World Land Trust.

This is the international conservation charity that, acre by acre, seeks to protect some of the world's most biologically significant and threatened habitats.

Dr Avery, who lives in Northamptonshire, is one of the country’s most outspoken advocates for nature - he has a special affection for hen harriers and a particular antipathy to driven grouse shooting. 

A Cambridge-educated scientist by training, he is a passionate naturalist and spent 25 years working for the RSPB, 13 of those years as conservation director. 

After standing down from the RSPB in 2011 he began writing, and, as a journalist and blogger, he has an impressive following and reputation as an informed activist.

His book, Message from Martha marked the centenary of one of the best documented extinctions in history - the demise of the Passenger Pigeon. 

This book tells the tale of the Passenger Pigeon, and of Martha - the last Passenger Pigeon which died in Cincinatti Zoo in 1914.

During the 1850s, Passenger Pigeons had ben the most common birds on Earth. They lived in the forests of the eastern USA, feeding in their billions on beechnuts and acorns.

The story goes that if they had been flying past and you fancied pigeon pie for dinner, you just stuck your gun up in the air and fired. Half-a-dozen would probably fall at your feet. 

Dr Avery's analysis of an extinction, which surely has its parallels today, plots how a cornerstone species numbering in the billions can be reduced to nil in 50 years as a result of unleashed hunting, indiscriminate persecution and catastrophic habitat loss. 

While the theme of the book is one of depressing loss, the message gives a beacon of hope.

It is within the power of humans to halt extinctions through knowledge and commitment.

Dr Avery's message is that if we re-forge our relationship with the natural world on which we depend and plan a more sustainable future there is no need to go the way of the Passenger Pigeon.

Mark, a close pal of broadcaster Chris Packham, has always taken a keen interest in WLT’s overseas conservation work.

About his new role he says: “It is both an honour and a responsibility to accept the chairmanship of World Land Trust, a charity I have long admired.  

"WLT’s approach of working with local communities and protecting land of high conservation value has proved highly successful across the world. 

"With our great team of staff, and increasing support from the public, we can make an even greater contribution to protecting wildlife and reducing extinction rates.”