Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  • 1 million members
  • In 2013-2014, raised £93.2m in funds from donations and grants
  • RSPB spends 90% of its income on conservation, public education, and advocacy
  • UK’s biggest nature conservation charity
    • Manages over 200 nature reserves in the UK
    • Works with farmers and landowners to protect endagered species habitats
      • Cirl Bunting is the UK’s rarest resident farmland bird, 25% of the population is threatened directly or indirectly by agricultural development
    • Conducts scientific research into wildlife population decline
  • Dual function as a conservation charity helps their public perception and authority as a pressure group

Strategic position in society

  • Over 1 million adult members: 1m+ possible voters
  • 200k youth members: 200k possible future voters
  • Although they are diverse, majority are: female, middle class, rural or sub-urban dwellers, traditionalists

Opposition pressure group

  • No Society for the Destruction of Birds
  • Hard to oppose protecting birds
  • Interests of other pressure groups compete with the RSPB
    • 2019 Crow shooting ban, promoted by RSPB but opposed by Countryside Alliance