Lulworth Rangers launch petition to stop countryside abuse
Visitors to Durdle Door left litter, a mattress and even human excrement for volunteers to remove last year
The Lulworth Rangers are calling on the government to do what they can to stop a repeat of last years scenes of litter across the Dorset beauty spot.
Volunteers were called in to help clean up the beaches at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door – only for them to be greeted by human excrement and in one case a mattress.
The Rangers are launching a petition to protect the countryside and coast from post-lockdown damage. They want the government to make an announcement asking us all to do our bit.
A statement from the Lulworth Estate reads:
“Remember the almost daily news headlines and images last year of how our natural beauty spots were being abused? Mass littering, fly-camping, graffiti and fire being caused by visitors simply unaware of the impact they were having. We are asking that the government should fund nationwide and sustained countryside public behaviour messaging and education including:
• messaging ahead of the current lockdown ending
• an ongoing campaign directed at staycationers across the UK
• a sustained education initiative, thus creating a lasting legacy
“We want everyone on a trip or holiday to learn to take collective responsibility for looking after the UK’s green (and blue!) spaces. From your National Park, to your local park or beach, let’s get the message out there to look after these special places. Let’s face it, with this week’s uncertainty for any foreign holidays, it’s likely we’ll all be holidaying in the UK.”
Head Ranger Maddy Pfaff said:
“I’ve listened to many, many similar stories from professionals and people who live and work in the countryside all saying the same things.
“We’re not the only site, we’ve heard about national issues in Wales in Snowdonia, Wareham Forest caught on fire, we’ve had littering problems so get behind it for the good of the nation.”
If you’d like to sign the petition, you can find it here.