From the mountains to the coral reefs, wild animals and plants hold intrinsic value - Photo: Ellen Teague
Its Spring here in Britain. The year’s first carpets of snowdrops are appearing in my garden. Also, pink buds on the magnolia tree and a few bees on a mahonia. I feel gratitude to God for the heralds of Spring returning year after year with wonderful colour and biodiversity. The process is so ordinary, but so precious.
Yet, it is in need of protection. In Britain, the most recent comprehensive ‘health check’ of our wildlife, the 2019 State of Nature report, revealed that 56% of our species are in decline and 15% threatened with extinction. Globally, biodiversity is in steep decline and contributes to escalating poverty, migration and conflict.
It is six decades since Rachel Carson drew attention to humanity’s “war against nature.” In her award-winning book ‘Silent Spring’, she wrote: “Most of us walk unseeing through the world, unaware alike of its beauties, its wonders and the strange and sometimes terrible intensity of the lives that are being lived about us.”
World Wildlife Day
United Nations World Wildlife Day is marked annually on March 3rd to celebrate wild animals and plants. Every year, we are urged to recognise the unique contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. From the mountains to the coral reefs, wild animals and plants hold intrinsic value. As essential parts of Earth's intricate web of life, they sustain ecosystems, regulate natural processes, and support biodiversity.
The 2025 theme is: ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance - Investing in People and Planet.’ Innovative finance for wildlife conservation is vital since biodiversity loss is an increasing threat to financial stability and livelihoods.
Particular attention is being paid to pollinators. Over the past 20 years insects in Britain have declined by a shocking 60%. Without pollinators, remaining biodiversity is at risk - and so is our food chain. Insects like butterflies, bees, wasps pollinate the vast majority of plants, including our fruit and vegetables. Yet, action is being taken. Paris and other European cities have banned pesticides from urban use, for example. The British government is being asked to ensure food imports are free from harmful pesticides which kill pollinators and threaten human health.
The latest tree-planting day was on 11 February 2025 and the rewilding events aim to inspire participants to take action in their local communities, fostering a deeper connection to nature - Photo: Ellen Teague
A Columban Mission Priority
Protecting Biodiversity is a Columban mission priority. In fact, Columbans have warned about the damage humanity has caused to God’s creation for at least three decades, highlighting that creation care is an element of Catholic Social Teaching.
Columban expertise in this area was recognised in the leadup to the publishing of the environment encyclical of Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ – the 10th anniversary is being celebrated this May - where Columban eco-theologian Fr Sean McDonagh was a consultant. The encyclical included a section on the protection of biodiversity, with the following words: “Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another.” There was a call for “ecological conversion.”
Columbans produced a study programme for groups based on the encyclical’s themes and Sean McDonagh’s books gave a grounding in creation-centred theology, particularly his ‘To Care for the Earth: A Call to a New Theology,’ based on his two-decades experience of working with tribal people in the Philippines. He has said, “the preface for the Mass of Easter Day rejoices in the fact that the resurrection ‘renews all creation’.”
“Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another.” There was a call for “ecological conversion.” - Photo: Ellen Teague
Since then, Columbans have supported reforestation programmes in the Philippines, environmental workshops in Pakistan, work with indigenous people in the Amazon region and raised awareness about the depletion of fish and other life in our oceans.
Here in Britain, Columbans have campaigned against destructive large-scale extractive industries which destroy habitats for wildlife and heat the atmosphere, causing climate change. On Ash Wednesday, I will be attending an ecumenical service and vigil in a Central London parish, ‘No Faith in Fossil Fuels – Let’s Stop New Oil and Gas in 2025.’
Work to promote sustainability and biodiversity includes rewilding at Columban headquarters in Britain. In 2024, several days were organised where the local community helped build swift boxes, did a nature walk with an ecologist and visited newly installed bee hives. The latest tree-planting day was on 11 February 2025 and the rewilding events aim to inspire participants to take action in their local communities, fostering a deeper connection to nature.
Alongside this, James Trewby, who leads Columban educational programmes in Britain, has run Columban eco-retreats, days for teachers and workshops in many schools. The aim is to inspire a passion for creation care.
On March 3rd, I will listen to birds in my garden singing as dawn breaks and enjoy yellow daffodils swaying in the sunshine. I don’t take them for granted. And on this World Wildlife Day, the prophetic Columban mission work on Biodiversity will be celebrated.
Ellen Teague runs a Media Desk for Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology in Britain.
