If you rightly think butterflies need protecting along with the rest of nature, then this is for you

Leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is calling on nature enthusiasts across the UK to design a brilliant banner which will have pride of place at the upcoming Restore Nature Now march.

Restore Nature Now: marching in June

Extinction Rebellion, BBC wildlife legend Chris Packham, Butterfly Conservation, and tens of thousands of members of the public will ‘unite for nature’ by joining a legal and family-friendly demonstration on the streets of central London on Saturday 22 June 2024. They will have a simple demand of all political parties: ‘Restore Nature Now‘.

As the Canary previously reported, this demonstration aims to be the biggest gathering of people for nature and climate that the UK has seen. It will be both a celebration of UK nature and a protest for urgent political action on the biodiversity crisis and climate crisis.

Chris Packham said:

As conservationists and environmental groups we have to accept that the dire state of nature – both in the UK and globally – has happened on our watch. So now’s the time for bolder action, stronger demands, braver tactics and a new way of working… together.

Ticking a box, signing a petition, sharing a post-  it’s simply not enough when we are facing the collapse of our living systems. It’s time for all of us to take to the streets, shoulder to shoulder, whoever we are and demand our leaders Restore Nature Now.

Now, Butterfly Conservation has got a way that people can get directly involved before the event:

Use your creativity to speak up for nature! 🦋📢

We're looking for the next generation of campaigners to come up with a banner design to accompany Butterfly Conservation at the #RestoreNatureNow march in London in June.

Find out how to enter 👉 https://t.co/kv1vDC3BJJ pic.twitter.com/11yevVpOv1

— Butterfly Conservation 🦋 (@savebutterflies) May 4, 2024

Stopping the decline of butterflies and moths

The winning design will be printed and held aloft at the head of the wildlife charity’s party as they, along with thousands of others, march to Westminster in London on Saturday 22 June calling for urgent action to ensure nature’s recovery.

The competition, which runs from 3 May – 3 June, is open to anyone still in education and encourages budding creatives and campaigners to create a standout design which shows their support for butterflies and moths and the vital need to protect them.

Crayons, paints, computers – all mediums are welcome, and the winning banner will be chosen by Butterfly Conservation’s brand-new Youth Panel who will be looking out for fun, bold, emotive, and creative designs.

As well as taking pride of place at the head of the Butterfly Conservation team at the march, the winner will also receive a Butterfly Conservation t-shirt to proudly show their support for wildlife.

Julie Williams, Butterfly Conservation’s CEO said:

Our butterflies and moths are under threat. 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s. Moth numbers have fallen by at least 33% in that same time. We know what is needed to reverse these declines. It’s time to act.

With sufficient resources we have shown that conservation action works at both local and national level. But current government funding and policies are falling short, and our butterflies and moths can’t wait. We will be marching to make our voice and the voices of our supporters heard.

To enter the competition, send a photograph or scan of your design in a landscape format to socialbutterfly@butterfly-conservation.org along with your name, age and a contact email address or telephone number, by 8pm on Monday 3 June 2024.

More details are here.

Featured image via Iain H Leach – Butterfly Conservation