Avon Needs Trees have launched a new public campaign calling on mayoral candidates to make nature a priority in the upcoming election.

The campaign, called ‘Nature is Lush, Let’s Vote for it’, urges the candidates for metro mayor for the West of England to ‘dig deep and root for nature recovery in the region’ ahead of election day on May 1.

Mayoral candidates were invited to a ceremonial tree planting at Lower Chew Forest, the largest new woodland in the South West in a generation.

Avon Needs Trees welcomed metro mayoral candidates Steve Smith (Conservative), Oli Henman (Liberal Democrats) and Mary Page (Green Party) to planted a ceremonial Hawthorn tree.

A wide coalition of businesses, nature groups and high profile individuals are asking candidates to commit to a specific set of pledges around nature recovery.

An open letter was published on March 25, signed by Deborah Meaden, Chris Packham and Dr Mya-Rose Craig, who believe that these commitments would demonstrate the candidates’ dedication to putting nature and climate to the top of their agenda.

The charity is also calling on the public to add their voices to a petition backing the pledge demands, calling for strong leadership on nature recovery and sustainable green growth.

The campaign aims to gather 5000 signatures to show widespread public support for policies.

Mark Funnell, chair of Avon Needs Trees, said: “Nature in the West of England must flourish alongside other priority issues such as housing and transport.”

“The outgoing mayor’s tenure saw some real progress in this area and this campaign is about making it clear that people want our next metro mayor to continue to champion nature recovery and lead the way on green growth. Nature underpins a strong economy, and is central to the quality of all our lives.”

Oli Henman said: “I believe we've got an opportunity in our region to be leading on nature and biodiversity. I think what is happening at Lower Chew Forest can be an exemplar for many other regions of the country.

“I think we can be a real leader in this part of the world. I would want to make sure that the mayor is, first of all, driving the local nature recovery strategy.”

Steve Smith said: “Lower Chew Forest is a massively exciting project. It's going to be transformational for the area and to be able to come and plant one of the first trees in this location to be part of that was too good an opportunity to miss. And on a beautiful day as well.”

Mary Page, said: “For me this is about how we can undo that loss of nature and biodiversity that we've had and seen over our lifetimes. So a project like this, which actively works to put nature back at the forefront of our minds and at the forefront of the balance books.”

The charity is asking voters to make their voices heard by signing the pledge to ensure nature remains at the heart of regional decision-making.

To find out more about, visit https://avonneedstrees.org.uk/.