Synopsis
This is a very personal account of the author's experiences in the field of conservation. In the first part, he describes how he acquired a neighbouring field some 40 years ago and transformed it into a private nature reserve, with a wood, a large pond and rough grassland, and the wildlife which has subsequently colonized it. In the second, he relates his own local efforts to the wider conservation scene and outlines how the failures of democratic governments to carry out crucial long-term measures might be overcome. In the words of the author: "many people wish to encourage wildlife on their land but do not know exactly what to do or what they can expect to achieve. On the wider scale most are still unaware of the fundamental importance of conservation of wildlife or its connection with our own survival. They are unaware of the urgency of the measures our generations must and can take". Norman Moore is one of our best known and most highly respected naturalists.
He has a wide knowledge and interest in many aspects of British wildlife and has pursued a distinguished career in nature conservation, culminating with the post of Chief Advisory Officer, Nature Conservancy Council from 1979-83. His published works include Dragonflies with P. S. Corbet and Cynthia Longfield; Hedges with E. Pollard and M.D. Hooper and, most recently, The Bird of Time, the science and politics of nature conservation, which was judged the Natural World Book of the Year in 1987, as well as numerous scientific papers and articles.
