Wildlife
RSPB suspends sale of flat bird feeders
The RSPB has withdrawn flat bird feeders due to the concerns they may facilitate the transmission of illnesses such as trichomonosis, which has significantly impacted the greenfinch population.
Exhibitions
Earth Photo comes to Hever Castle
The international photography exhibition, Earth Photo will be showcased in the grounds of Hever Castle & Gardens this February.
Environment
Saving Coton Orchard
Home to 100-year old specimens, the 60 acre Coton Orchard, the largest traditional orchard in Cambridgeshire and 8th largest in the country is at risk of becoming a new bus lane.
Regulation
National Planning Policy Framework to boost building
The government has released the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework, confirming the re-introduction of mandatory housing targets and new ‘golden rules’ for building on the Green Belt.
Environment
Storm Darragh strengthened by human-driven climate change
Research by ClimaMeter shows that storm systems like Storm Darragh are 2 hectopascal (hPa) deeper compared to similar systems in the past.
Charity
Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum granted £190,000 for community project
The Julia Rausing Trust has awarded the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum a £190,000 grant to invest in a community-led tree planting project
Environment
Fungi translocation to restore woodlands
A nature restoration experiment, Forestry England is moving soil rich in vital fungi from an ancient woodland to a newly planted site in North Yorkshire.
Research
Phytophthora ramorum sniffer dogs
Innovative project by Forest Research, successfully trains detection dogs to specifically identify the tree pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum
Plants
National Trust announces recipients of Trees of Hope
Marking National Tree Week, the National Trust announced the recipients of the much-loved Sycamore Gap tree saplings grown from its seed.
Natural Capital
BNGx launches digital BNG marketplace
Green tech start-up, BNGx has unveiled its digital marketplace for Biodiversity Net Gain units, registered with Natural England
Plants
Trials show peat-free growing media outperform peat equivalents
RHS trials show peat-free growing media retains water better than peat equivalents, producing better quality or similar plants
Environment
Biodiversity eDNA study across forests in the UK
A comprehensive biodiversity study is being conducted by means of innovative eDNA Technology across 250,000 hectares of the UK’s forests to ascertain the condition of nature and the variety of wildlife in our forests.
Research
Arctic microalgae can photosynthesise in the dark
Scientists have discovered that microalgae, located 50 metres down in the deep depths of the Arctic Ocean can photosynthesise – in near darkness.
Wildlife
Trichomonosis: Are our bird feeders up to scratch?
Could our feeding of wild birds, be aiding the spread of trichomonosis which has caused rapid decline of the British Greenfinch population and poses a threat to other beloved garden birds?
Report
Trichomonosis: Fatal disease causing rapid decline of our greenfinches
Not mentioned enough, trichomonosis is a fatal disease and the cause of the rapid decline of the British Greenfinch population and poses a serious threat to other, beloved garden birds.
Research
New study investigating routes of finch trichomonosis transmission in gardens
A new study is being conducted to improve understanding of finch trichomonosis transmission and mitigation measures for which public involvement is needed.
Wildlife
Defra reports overall decline in wild bird numbers
Worrying figures from Defra indicate that wild bird numbers in the UK are continuing to fall.
Regulation
Ruth Davis appointed as the first UK’s Special Representative for Nature
The UK government has appointed Ruth Davis OBE as the first Special Representative for Nature, a joint FCDO and Defra role reporting into the Environment Secretary and the Foreign Secretary.
Environment
Green Cities Europe Award 2024
Ten countries are up the Green Cities Europe Award, in recognition of outstanding sustainable, urban green space initiatives across the Continent.
Research
Survey reveals majority of Kew staff are against the Herbarium move
The results of the Herbarium Impact Survey for staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, confirm that the majority of respondents are not in favour of the move to Thames Valley Science Park.