We believe a beautiful, thriving countryside is important for everyone, no matter where they live. Millions of town and city dwellers recharge their batteries with a walk or a bike ride in the local Green Belt, spend weekends and holidays in our National Parks, or enjoy fresh local produce. People who live in rural areas keep our countryside beautiful and productive. The countryside is unique, essential, precious and finite and its in danger. Every year, a little more is lost forever to urban sprawl, new roads, housing and other developments. Rural shops and services are closing, and increasingly intensive farming is changing the character of the countryside. Climate change, too, will have serious impacts on the rural environment. Were an environmental charity, and 5,000 members, and supporters including more than 100 affiliated parish councils. Our local knowledge and national profile means ENVIRONMENT MATTERS 247 is effective in tackling both the specific issues that really