Whether it’s recognising hooting owls at night, enjoying sitting by a shady river on a hot day, making daisy chains, chasing spiders out of the house, right through to forest bathing and ornithology, we all have our own connection with nature.

We are all part of the living world. It supports our existence, society and economy by providing long-term basics such as food, shelter and waste-management. Its diversity is essential to help life adapt to changing environmental conditions. It consists of a web of connections between different species, each performing a vital role in its overall function. Nature has also provided us with inspiration and a spiritual dimension for thousands of years.

Surveys show that one of the things people in New Mills value the most is the surrounding countryside. We have a good variety of habitats; from moorland to river valleys, woodland to gardens. It’s why many of us have chosen to live or visit here; it’s accessible, beautiful, inspiring – but it’s under threat.

Although nature is on the whole a resilient system, human activities are causing serious damage to it. Nature is faring worse in the UK than in most other countries. The latest State of Nature report shows that over half our wild species – plants, insects, birds, mammals – are in decline.

This decline threatens our ability to prosper; socially, economically and spiritually. It is a sad thought that familiar and much loved creatures, such as hedgehogs, sparrows and starlings, have now declined so much they are classified as being endangered.