England's Record $120M Wildlife Protection Boost

0:00It's April 2nd. You're listening to Europe News today. AI power covers from every European capital. England's government just dropped 90 million pounds to save hundreds of its most at-risk native species from going extinct. That's the biggest investment ever in wildlife protection coming from the Environment Department. The cash targets birds, beavers, beetles, snails, spiders, and even seahorses through support and reintroduction projects. Out of that, 60 million pounds heads to natural England species recovery program over the next three years, funding hundreds of local efforts, like habitat fixes and breeding programs. Another 30 million pounds goes straight to recovery work in England's national forests. The UK sits among the world's most nature depleted spots, with wildlife numbers down by a third since 1970 and one in six species facing. Extinction. Green groups say we're way off track for protecting 30% of land in sea by 2030, but this funding pushes toward halting declines.

1:03By then, and cutting extinction risks by 2042. This new pot more than doubles the last rounds 32 million pounds, which helped over 600 species from 2023 to 2026. Past winds include bringing back red kites, pool frogs, and large blue butterflies, plus recent hatches like the red-billed chuff in Kent after two. Centuries. Defras kicking off a fresh campaign called Wild Again, to restore England's wildlife, building on decades of science-driven partnerships that have, saved over 1,000 species, and stopped 35 from vanishing nationwide. With this boost, more fragile ecosystems like ancient woods and chalk streams stand a real shot at bouncing back.