I'm struggling to see what comment of mine you're replying to (still getting the hang of Bluesky!) I believe White Stork was native a long time ago & climate change has made the UK more suitable again, so I don't think it's cut and dry (not that I'm enthusiastic about its reintroduction, as I said)

You mean 'apart from when money is available for collecting an evidence base'? If so, I'd certainly agree, and perhaps that's more common in the UK, but it is definitely a rarity in international conservation funding!

My response seems to have provoked some criticism, so it may be useful to clarify - my key question is what would the counterfactual be if this project wasn't funded? Could it be much better engagement of people with nature to protect species truly at risk? Yes. *Would* it be? I don't think so...

I'm 100% for evidence-based logical decisions, but the reality is that funding pots don't usually have time to wait for good evidence.

I'm not convinced. It could just as easily be said that big flashy species are an easy entry engagement point for those not previously interested. That rings true to me - as a birder who then got into mammals, and now with a pan species interest - but I'd prefer to see evidence of either argument...

Perhaps... as I said, I'm much less familiar with UK conservation. However, I've seen few good efforts personally. This would be a much more compelling argument if it was shown a good effort was turned down in favour of the reintroduction, but my suspicion is that is not the case...

I completely agree that it's using populism to leverage funds for biodiversity. What unintended long term consequences do you see, and why?

I don't know total project costs, but see that £500k comes from the 'London Green Roots' funding pot, which is restricted to engaging local communities with nature. Many such funding pots in the UK have limited flexibility, and so much lower biodiversity conservation benefits from grants than this!

25 years in intn'l conservation has taught me money is most easily raised by a high profile story, preferably with charismatic megafauna. Stork reintroduction would not be top of my list, but if that's what it takes to raise funds to conserve habitats that support a range of species, I'm for it!

Amazing! Would you mind dropping me a message, please? Your settings don't allow me to message you...

Correct - lots of mildews around at the moment!

Impressive! What sort of time were they coming in?

My other half gets them every year in single figures in her garden in Woodbridge. We've had people over to see them before and could do so again...

Hahaha, you clearly don't know me at all! I share your feelings to those who are as you say, but that IS capitulation and/or misplaced trust in the system, rather than honesty.

If you knew me, you would know I am certainly not one for capitulation! I simply choose to hold certain principles higher than winning at all costs. I would rather be honest and die for it, than live in a world of lies. But rather than fight those who are against fascism, why not fight those for it?