LOCAL, national and international problems seem to be proliferating at an unprecedented rate and the vast majority appear to have an environmental component. Consider a short list – the wild boar problem, badger culling, tree diseases, flooding, the Northern Arc controversy, wind farms, nuclear power stations, over-fishing, population pressures, water pollution, global warming and its consequences etc, etc. In Britain, in 2010, 29,000 premature deaths were attributed to poor air quality.

Our planet is utterly unique and has supported life for over 3.5 billion years. Neglecting to care for it properly is a folly of the most unforgiveable kind. However, a prerequisite to caring about any environmental issue is a basic love and appreciation of our incredible, natural world; how it functions and the fact that it is vital for our very existence. Yet, "One in three Local Authority-run, outdoor learning centres are due to close by 2015." (Ref Institute of Outdoor Learning).

A group of enthusiastic friends have been negotiating with Gloucestershire CC to purchase the Wilderness Centre in order to provide vital environmental education and return the centre to its former iconic status as probably the finest environmental studies centre in the entire country.

Children and young people are more likely to be gazing at a computer screen than experiencing, at first hand, what the natural world has to offer. Children are indeed ill-equipped to appreciate and value our most precious possession – the natural world.

The Wilderness project needs more support if it is to deliver sound, basic, environmental education to enable future generations to face the multitude of environmental and social problems they will undoubtedly inherit.

The project has already suffered a severe setback, for I?understand the GCC?intend to sell the Plump Hill site on the open market. Unfortunately, this would reduce the number of students the centre could deal with. Furthermore, it begs the question: 'Will the Wilderness site be withdrawn also?' To do so would be treating our natural environment, grandchildren and future generations as of no consequence.

I urge GCC to ensure that the community is helped in every possible way to ensure a successful takeover of the running of the Wilderness Centre.

– B. Kear, Primrose Hill, Lydney.