Business
Sainsbury’s first UK supermarket to launch peat-free mushrooms
The supermarket chain is the first to offer their customers peat-free grown, White Closed Cup and White Baby Button mushroom variants.
Environment
Petition to save Darwin’s Oak delivered to Downing Street
Campaigners working to save the 550-year-old tree delivered their petition to Downing Street this week.
Events
UK Fungus Day 2024
UK Fungus Day brings together fungus experts, enthusiasts and beginners to explore and enjoy the wonders of the Fungal Kingdom
Wildlife
Breeding pair of White-tailed eagles confirmed in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group and RSPB have confirmed that a pair of White-tailed eagles have bred in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland for the first time in 150 years.
Natural Capital
The provision of gardens needs to be central to UK housebuilding targets, says the RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society is calling for a review of the Biodiversity Net Gain 4.0 metric, updated planning guidelines to require cultivated landscapes, and garden masterplans for urban areas.
Wildlife
Alarm bells ring as the Big Butterfly Count 2024 reveals lowest numbers on record
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has declared a national ‘Butterfly Emergency’, with results of the 2024 Big Butterfly Count showing a marked and hugely concerning decline in numbers.
Environment
Scientists cite threat of escalating methane
The powerful greenhouse gas, Methane is rising at the fastest rate in recorded history, despite official pledges from 150 countries to reduce emissions by 30% by the end of this decade.
Environment
North American native, Plane Lace Bug sighted in London
The Forestry Commission has confirmed sightings of the Platanus lace bug (Corythucha ciliata) in the UK for the first time since 2006.
Environment
Cumbria Wildlife Trust seeks public assistance to buy Skiddaw Forest
The Cumbria Wildlife Trust announced the launch of major public appeal to help purchase Skiddaw Forest, including the summit of Skiddaw.
Environment
Scientists call for prioritisation Climate and Nature Bill
Over 1000 leading climate scientists, ecologists, academics and medical professionals are calling on MPs to fast-track new legislation, the Climate and Nature Bill (CAN Bill).
Business
Decarbonisation of the maritime industry could see container shipping costs double
The DNV Maritime ‘Forecast to 2050’ report highlights that the costs associated with decarbonising shipping are set to rise dramatically.
Environment
Japanese, Miyawaki tree planting method delivers higher survival rates at lower costs
Inspired by a Japanese botantist, trials of a Miyawaki urban tree planting method has revealed higher survival rates than standard approaches, and hence proved more cost-effective to establish trees.
Natural Capital
Eight BNG sites covering 500 acres secured under conservation covenants
The Environment Bank and RSK Biocensus secure eight conservation covenants for the national BNG register, doubling the number of sites on the registry.
Environment
March for Clean Water
Taking place in central London, the March for Clean Water aims to highlight the state of water and demand urgent government action to address the UK’s water pollution crisis.
Worth a read
Golf courses can help boost bees and butterflies
Golf courses across Sussex are trialling a rewilding initiative to help protect rare chalk grassland and encourage the growth of wildflowers.
Wildlife
Pioneering hedgehog monitoring programme
National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme is trialling a world-first combination of trail cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to gauge robust hedgehog population estimates.
Gardens
Lawns unfairly targeted in environmental debates, says David Hedges-Gower
Despite the UK’s 20 million lawns, they are sidelined at garden shows and retail events on account of the lack of support for sustainable lawn care, says Lawn Association Chairman, David Hedges-Gower.
Marketing
Dutch campaign encourages reducing paving for greener gardens
Running from June until October, a Dutch campaign was launched to encourage residents with gardens dominated by paving to switch to greener, more permeable gardens.
Innovation
Precision robot weeding
In collaboration with Delft University of Technology, Wageningen University and Kubota, Odd.Bot launched the Maverick, a pioneering and sustainable form of autonomous weed recovery.
Business
Challenges and concerns of grower’s peat-free journey shared with Minister
At a tour of McClaren’s Nurseries in Scotland, Agriculture Minister, Jim Fairlie MSP was updated on the complexities and consequences of the use of peat in horticulture for the industry’s present and future outlook.
