I VERY much enjoyed Stroud Nature Festival on Sunday, where it was also clear how much Stroud people care about our environment, wildlife and the climate emergency.

There were so many different organisations present, all working to improve our understanding of and care for the environment.

Understanding and mapping our biodiversity is the first step towards tackling climate change and loss of wildlife.

This was also clear when I joined the RSPB at a parliamentary event this week. The RSPB’s new research demonstrates the role that different habitats play in preventing climate change.

The RSPB has produced a detailed map of the habitats in Stroud constituency, showing areas of woodland, grassland, fens and other areas and how these areas conserve carbon.

Woodland, for instance, holds up to 310 tonnes of carbon per hectare but sadly, despite our rural constituency, the map shows the sparsity of ‘wild’ areas.

This kind of careful mapping work is vital in preserving habitats and tackling climate change. I’ve been working with Gloucestershire organisations as part of my Stroud tree project to increase our woodland and mapping trees has been a key part of that.

Of course, mapping is only the start. Research also shows that some Sites of Special Scientific Interest within our national parks are not being protected as well as they should be.

It’s a classic line that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Certainly that is the case with our precious natural habitats.