Regulation
Uplift Woodland Creation Offer payments
Defra and the Forestry Commission announce significant uplift in England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) payments to increase tree planting across the country.
Collaboration
Lloyds Banking Group announces strategic environmental partnerships
The group announces Projects for Nature partnership with Knepp Wildland Foundation, West Cumbria Rivers Trust and the National Trust.
Business
Second market round of biodiversity units for the Bristol Avon Catchment Market
Further transactions in the new statutory market for BNG as the Bristol Avon Catchment Market reached the successful settlement of a second market round.
Regulation
Hedgerow regulations to be brought into law to protect wildlife
English hedgerows will be protected in law as the government sets out its plans for domestic hedgerow regulations, following a consultation last year.
Environment
European Parliament passes Nature Restoration Law
Despite the political backlash and protests, the European Parliament passes one of the union’s biggest pieces of environmental legislation.
Research
Wetlands, parks and botanical gardens among the best ways to cool cities during heatwaves
Review led by the University of Surrey reveals that botanical gardens can cool the city air by 5°C during heatwaves.
Natural Capital
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) application to irreplaceable habitats
Defra has released new guidance for how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will apply to irreplaceable habitats.
Natural Capital
Dutch lottery grant boosts wildlife comeback in Europe
The Dutch Postcode Lottery has awarded Rewilding Europe a special grant of 2.2 million euros for the European Wildlife Comeback Fund.
Natural Capital
BNG market drive: Biodiversity as an asset class
Biodiversity markets offer a distinctive avenue to expedite funding for conservation while offering a financial incentive for preserving and restoring natural ecosystems.
Natural Capital
Councils should aim to go beyond 10% BNG
Research by Wildlife and Countryside Link has revealed that in most Local Authorities, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will fail to go beyond “offsetting”.
Natural Capital
How trees channel more carbon into their roots
Intriguing research about how herbivore browsing pressure affects trees’ long term carbon storage potential.
Fungi
Epping Forest valued at £1.9 billion to society
New report reveals that Epping Forest, London and Essex’s largest green space is worth around £64.4 million a year in public benefits, with a present value of £1.9 billion over 50 years.
Worth a read
Will Biodiversity Net Gain benefit the landscape community?
As of the 12th of February, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will mandate the assessment of habitats on development land and require this habitat to be enhanced by a minimum of 10%.
Natural Capital
High-tech aerial mapping of hedgerows
Scientists have harnessed innovative technology to produce a comprehensive map of hedgerows across the length and breadth of England.
Natural Capital
The Statutory Biodiversity Metric
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) publishes the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric calculation tool.
Natural Capital
Grey squirrels thwarting tree planting efforts
Bark-stripping damage has resulted in landowners not planting the trees needed to reach net zero.
Natural Capital
Launch date Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
The government published the secondary legislation, which states that BNG will become mandatory from the 12th of February 2024.
Natural Capital
Government largely off track meeting environmental ambitions
Damning report by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) finds the Government remains largely off track to meet its environmental ambitions.
Natural Capital
£15.6million to help people get out into nature
Supported by the National Lottery, the Heritage Fund awarded the funds for nature recovery projects and to increase the connectivity of spaces for people and wildlife in rural, suburban and urban areas.
On Instagram
River Restoration Knepp Wilding
Restored Adur river project by Knepp Wildland Foundation shows truly impressive performance during the recent intense downpours.
