BRIAN CARTER: Harmony with nature is a necessity

AMONG the winter images on the contemporary rural scene there is the fuel for something close to optimism, something to strengthen the defiance of militant nature lovers.

And once again I'll remind you harmony with nature is a necessity to the survival of our species.

Throughout the seasons many countryside happenings give us pleasure, but the environment needs our protection.

Urban expansion at the expense of green land has emphasised this; and I hope protest will continue to gather momentum.

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The urban-based country lovers' lobby can't be ridiculed and written-off by landowners or the Countryside Alliance.

Greater public access hasn't proved to be synonymous with the vandalism forecast by many landowners in the past.

Public awareness has grown with the belief that freedom of access on certain paths, was demanded.

In this respect I can't forget the opposition's hostility when National Parks like Dartmoor became a reality in the early 1950s.

Real vandalism can be witnessed in the results of intensive farming, with its flail-mowed hedges and wildlife herded on to the 'endangered species' list by chemically sprayed farmland.

The concept of public access isn't new.

On the Hebridean island of Mull in the not too distant past there were no laws of trespass.

Walkers were banned, for obvious reasons, during the stalking season. Beyond this, though, country life ticked on.

Grouse were shot, mature stags are killed and eaten; birds of prey and snow hares shared the mountains with walkers.

Public footpaths weren't won without a verbal fight. And if they lead us to a broader vision of nature and green land their value is obvious.

The survival of wild creatures and semi-wild places is dependent on caring human beings.

So, for me the countryside is a breathing space, inviting me to look way beyond self, and help to take wild creatures off the Endangered Species list.