BBC Wildlife Fund

BBC... ASAP... this Thursday (4 August), the BBC is to consider proposals to close down their 'Wild Night In' event. It's raised £3 million for environmental good causes - including some work we're doing in the Amazon on freshwater dolphin, spectacled bear and mountain tapirs. Without the event, this work wouldn't be taking place. Please sign the petition asking the BBC to reconsider and then spread the word - because we need 100,000 signatures to make a difference

http://www.savebbcwildlifefund.net/index.php?utm_campaign=enews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews_2011_august&pc=GHT502005

It seems a shame that this may be cancelled - please sign the petition and pass on. They also have a FB page 'Save BBC Wildlife'

Lai

This really will have a devastating affect on their work. Everyone please sign. I have.
5 reasons for saving the BBC Wildlife Fund
◦It is uniquely placed to promote the need for international conservation
◦It has already successfully addressed threats to key endangered species
◦It was only founded in 2007 and has huge potential
◦It is highly cost effective - savings from its closure will be small
◦Its proposed closure is seen as a great loss by the conservation sector

This is the Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/SaveBBCWildlifeFund

WS

Your right Doogs it would be a real shame if it did'nt go ahead. When you work out what it must have cost to do the programe, against the amount of money it raised.
WS

It's hard to believe what programmes get cancelled and what total rubbish gets shown. Talk about and we pay for a license so we should have a say.

Bring back some good stuff and that can include BIG CAT DIARIES

Lai

Signed the petition and also liked on FB. When something is doing suc great work, where is the sense in cancelling it. It truely is madness but lately the BBC seems to have a big thing about cancelling commisions for wildlife and the Natural history department. Lets hope they do see sense about this.

littlewid-x-

That really is so sad after all the hard work thats been done. The Beeb are clearly looking at programes to cut that will cause the least outcry, and backlash from viewers. If they cut out some of the rubbish they put on, then programes of real value like this could be saved. We need to keep going with the petition. Thanks for the link Doogs, I've posted on their FB page
WS

I got the email yesterday - bad decision and tragic news

Thanks for posting Doogs.

Lai

Thanks Doogs. That is not good news at all and I think you're right WS, they believe that cutting wildlife programmes will cause the least outcry. They are looking for massive ratings and i'm sure they believe all the reality TV stuff is the way to go. Soon we wont have any real programmes on TV, it will all be about Z rated so called stars trying to make a no go come back and flop all over again.

littlewid-x-

Littlewid. the BBC used to be known for such wonderful programmes.

Lai

Ok Ive read this thread twice. What is the reason for closing the fund. Either Im stupid or it just isnt clear. Be careful how you answer that!

Found a couple of snippets

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/aug/04/conservation-wildlife

and

http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/fundraising/news/content/10191/conservationists_slam_bbc_decision_to_close_wildlife_fund

Lai

Mmmmm thats all a bit muddly isn't it

In the first link it's all about there not really being much interest in the fund and donations dwindling. I think the Beeb could advertise it a bit better and drum up more support.
They also talk of putting money where it's more needed, that comes across as in Red Nose day etc......which already do exceptionally well on their own.

The second link lets it slip out the bag that it's all about pensions etc. Well we are all having pension issues but that doesn't mean we are giving up on the good we are doing. We have had pensions issues in the NHS but we are not leaving our jobs or turning people away because of it.

The Natural History Unit has had funds cut, I have a friend who knows these people and their budget for TV programmes is an issue but this is a charitable fund we are talking about. I know they have put money in to it but lets get real it is really in it's infancy and it may just need to get more established and have better promotion.
Also money has been given that has not yet been made public as to what has happened to it. It could be a good inject to the fund but are we ever going to get to know.

So far they say 6.500 have signed the petition, more signatures are needed to support the appeal because in real terms if all those signatures gave £1 it would only equate to £6,500 and they wont keep a fund going for that, even though it would do good work.

I'm rambling as usual, I suppose i'm trying to say, we need to get off our butts and stand up for the fund (the public in general) and the NHU need to give the fund a little more time to evolve into something as big as Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.

littlewid-x-

Littlewid and well said. By the time i saw the petition it was really too late - shame they didnt get it out into the public domain sooner, I am sure it would have had massive support.

Let's hope it isn't too late, but I fear rather like BCD the Beeb have decided and moved on ..................

Lai

You would think, with the Salarys these Guys are on, they could afford their own Taxi fares, and the money could go to things like the BBC Wildlife Fund Programe or BCD
WS

that makes me

Lai