She Illuminates Systems - But Needs New Legs

And Why We Should Help The Human Swan

Most of the time, the fish doesn’t see the water in which it swims. And, for most of us, most of the time, it is almost impossible to see the systems of which we are part. Indeed, if you live most of your life in one place, it is hard to understand the pathways and lives of those who support us - or migrate to or through the areas you know best.

That’s why I see Sacha Dench’s work as so important. A good friend, she founded Conservation Without Borders and flew her microlight alongside Bewick’s Swans from Siberia to the UK, across 11 countries, spotlighting the perils facing migratory birds. Next she turned to ospreys and, my favourite yet, has plans to highlight the plight of the world’s vultures.

Her work has been extensively covered, as in the ITV programme, Joanna Lumley and the Human Swan (see image below, source ITVX). Volans also awarded her one of three 2020 Green Swan Awards. But, as many will know, Sacha crashed while flying around Britain’s coastline to land at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. The details of what happened are public knowledge and are also now the subject of a public inquiry.

The key point here, though, is that there is now a Crowdfunder appeal under way to raise the money for her to be fitted with new legs. I have contributed - and I wonder if I can ask you to consider doing so, too? Find out more here.