Natural Capital
The Statutory Biodiversity Metric
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) publishes the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric calculation tool.
Environment
HTA Environmental Horticulture Manifesto
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has officially released its Environmental Horticulture Manifesto, outlining ten key priorities for a future UK Government.
Environment
The fly-tipping curse
Latest government figures show more than one million fly-tipping incidents last year, revealing an issue blighting rural communities across the country.
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.
Wildlife
Researchers develop hedgehog safety test for robotic lawnmowers
Researchers develop hedgehog safety test for robotic lawnmowers to the end of a possible certification scheme of ‘hedgehog-friendly’ mowers to help protect the endangered mammals.
Plants
Pioneering start-up enlists public as citizen scientists to save Britain’s Ash trees
The biochar start-up, Earthly Biochar, has announced the launch of its government-funded project to try and save Britain’s ash trees.
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.
Tourism
New bid for Scotland’s third national park: Affric and Loch Ness
A bid to nominate Affric and Loch Ness as Scotland’s third national park has been launched to celebrate and protect its important natural and cultural heritage.
Health
Eden Project launches Nature Connections Initiative
The Eden Project has announced a number of group activities starting during January which aim to bring people (of all ages) closer to nature and each other.
Worth a read
The world’s ugliest lawn
Tasmanian garden wins prize for world’s ugliest lawn highlighting how people can save water, help animals and free themselves from lawn-mowing
On Instagram
Safe migration journey
Courtesy of @lostfoundartny a highway road sign in Canada wishing monarch butterflies a safe migration south for the winter.
On Instagram
River Restoration Knepp Wilding
Restored Adur river project by Knepp Wildland Foundation shows truly impressive performance during the recent intense downpours.
Environment
Tree ring data shows worsening ‘vapour pressure deficit’ across Europe in 21st century
Research shows the atmosphere across Europe has become markedly drier in recent decades compared to pre-industrial times exacerbating drought and wildfire risks.
Plants
London Borough of Hounslow is giving away trees
The council is giving away 750 free fruit trees to borough residents, schools and local community groups.
Business
Last of the peat-fired electricity power plants in Ireland switches to biomass
The end of an era of peat-fired electricity in the Edenderry power plant in Ireland switches from peat to burning biomass.
Environment
Transformation of Sandilands golf course into wildlife haven
Plans by the National Trust to convert former golf course on the Lincolnshire coast into a nature reserve have been approved.
Worth a read
Ted Green champions ancient forests
The ecologist shares his views on the conservation of irreplaceable, uniquely biodiverse living monuments for their vital genetics in the next generation of ancient trees.
Wildlife
National Trust 2023 Weather & Wildlife Review
Review of the unpredictable weather patterns in 2023 and their impact on nature and wildlife.