Environment
Fireblight concerns for Ireland’s hedgerows
Environmental organisations raise concerns over the risk of fireblight from hawthorn imports in Ireland.
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.
Wildlife
National Highways ‘Lend a Paw’ campaign
In partnership with FCB London, the new National Highways campaign to raise awareness of the impact of road network littering on wildlife.
Environment
UN warns of 56% rise in waste volumes by 2050
A report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns municipal waste is estimated to grow by 56% to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 if urgent action is not taken.
Wildlife
Tree planting targets could risk bumblebee habitats
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust warns about the dangers for nature’s recovery if we get mass tree planting and woodland creation wrong.
Regulation
Preventing the spread of invasive plants from gardens
Invasive non-native plants and animals are one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss and cost the economy over £2 billion a year.
Environment
Southern Water fined £330,000
Double pump failure diverts sewage across fields into watercourse near Southampton for nearly 20 hours.
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.
Environment
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.
Environment
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) application to irreplaceable habitats
Defra has released new guidance for how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will apply to irreplaceable habitats.
Environment
Pollution is changing the scent of flowers
Sensory pollution arising from human activity is degrading the chemical compounds responsible for floral scents, confusing insects trying to locate flowers.
Wildlife
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.
Wildlife
Rare White-spotted Sable moth spotted
Leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is celebrating the discovery of a new breeding group of rare White-spotted Sable moth near Canterbury.
Wildlife
RHS calls on public to spot bumblebees on blooms
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is launching a nationwide initiative to monitor ‘Bumbles on Blooms’, in a bid to identify which plants are most visited by bumblebees in spring and help these vital pollinators to thrive.
Regulation
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.
Regulation
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”.
Environment
Plantlife calls for councils to register for ‘No Mow May’
The annual campaign #NoMowMay calls on green space managers to make a meaningful change for nature.
Worth a read
How trees channel more carbon into their roots
Intriguing research about how herbivore browsing pressure affects trees’ long term carbon storage potential.
Environment
Lawn Association calls for ban on lawn chemicals
David Hedges-Gower, Chairman of the Lawn Association has made a passionate appeal for a nationwide ban on all pesticides used in lawn maintenance.
Health
Nature’s therapeutic power: study on the psychophysiological effects of touching grass
Study reveals that touching real grass increased relaxation, comfort, a sense of naturalness and decreases anxiety levels.
