OTWO Magazine October 2020 | Page 64

The Wildlife Park is about to get wilder Jessica Leaper
Every October since 2009 , the Alameda Wildlife Conservation park ( AWCP ) has opened its gates to welcome the local community in for a Halloween fundraiser , in aid of various conservation projects or campaigns supported by the park . Sadly , during the pandemic , such events are just not possible . Not to be held back , throughout the pandemic , the AWCP has turned to social media to get their ‘ big message ’ across to the local community and beyond . This Halloween , the Park will be open to the public as usual and although large events are not possible , there will be Halloween-based activities and more surprises on offer , so keep an eye out for updates on social media !
As part of their Habits for Habitats campaign , launched last year , the AWCP enlisted the support of most of Gibraltar ’ s schools for the JUST ONE Tree , Green Uniform Day , or ‘ Green Day ’ ( as it became known locally ). JUST ONE Tree are a UK-based entity encouraging individuals , schools and businesses to spend just £ 1 to plant a tree , to restore habitats and ecosystems around the world . The last event in Gibraltar was organised by the AWCP , liaising with local schools to get them involved . The event on Valentine ’ s Day this year was a great success , raising over £ 3000 and planting over 3000 trees in Madagascar . This October 16th , Green Uniform Day will take place again in the UK and here in Gibraltar , as many schools have signed up to take part again .
The global pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for us to take care of the planet and to reconnect with nature on a global scale . Habitat and ecosystem restoration is about to become the focus of the United Nation ’ s next ten year plan . 2021-2030
has been named the UN ’ s ‘ Decade of Ecosystem Restoration ,’ highlighting the need for global cooperation to restore degraded and destroyed ecosystems , contributing to efforts to combat climate change , safeguard biodiversity , food security and water supplies .
Rewilding is a form of ecosystem restoration that allows habitats to return to their natural state . It is already becoming a big deal in the UK & Europe , with entities such as Rewilding Britain and Rewilding Europe , leading the restoration of native habitats and reintroducing native species . So why is this so important and what problems will this solve ? Rewilding promises to reverse centuries of ecological damage . It also aims to reconnect people to nature , providing jobs , opportunities and a new way of living alongside nature , rather than against it .
The AWCP , along with its charity , Wild Animal Conservation Trust ( WildACT ), have recently been helping to develop an ecosystem restoration project in the Algarve , Portugal . Although still in the early stages of development , the team at the Wildlife Park are working on the strategic planning for the site and species conservation plans for native Iberian species . The project will be looking for interested parties , partners and funders for this exciting project . In the coming few months , WildACT will be looking to launch its ‘ Wild Guardians Campaign ,’ offering individuals and companies the chance to offset their carbon whilst safeguarding a ‘ Patch of Wild ’. More on this , coming soon ! For more information on this or other campaigns and events at the AWCP , or to get involved , contact the AWCP at : info @ awcp . gi or follow us on Instagram , Facebook & Twitter .
OTWO 15 / OCTOBER 2020 31