Since June this year the Manx Wildlife Trust has been taking action to ensure that wildlife issues and concerns are brought to the attention of candidates seeking election to the House of Keys later this month. The nature conservation charity has produced a series of key information sheets, or “narratives”, which highlight the wealth of wildlife present in each of the Garff and Ayre, Glenfaba and Michael, Middle and Rushen Sheadings and outline the Trust’s vision for the future of wildlife in those areas. Copies of the “narrative” relevant to their proposed constituency have been sent to all candidates for the General Election with an invitation, to meet with representatives of the Manx Wildlife Trust, to discuss their intentions with respect to wildlife and conservation issues on the Island. The charity has been very encouraged by the response from candidates to date, with letters and telephone calls of support having been received and various positive meetings having been held. Further meetings are planned in the run up to the General Election on 29 September 2011. The Manx Wildlife Trust’s Director, Duncan Bridges, said, “We have welcomed the opportunity to meet with election candidates over the past few weeks and discuss with them a range of matters that are causing us concern at present, for example, the impact of motor sports on the fragile Jurby dunes and the Narradale, Glen Rushen, Dalby Mountain and other upland areas. It is clear that a number of candidates share our concerns in this respect and are keen for the needs of conservation and motor sports enthusiasts to be reconciled sooner rather than later.” Duncan went on to say, “We are also very pleased to hear that there is some support for the completion of a biodiversity strategy for the Isle of Man. The Manx Government has already signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity that was agreed at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit but the crucial biodiversity strategy for the Island has yet to be completed. This would give much-needed guidance and commitment to the protection of our wildlife, in terms of both species and habitat and also help inform future legislation.” To further ensure that candidates for the General Election keep wildlife and nature conservation issues in mind, alongside all of the other important aspects of life on the Isle of Man, the Manx Wildlife Trust is encouraging its local members to raise appropriate matters with candidates in their area as and when the opportunity arises. Following the election, the charity will also be in touch with all members of the new House of Keys to seek confirmation of the action they intend to take for wildlife in their constituencies. Ends