Wildlife
Making bird feeding safer for wild birds
When it comes to supplementary feeding and the use of bird feeders, what exactly are we doing?
Dick Woods
Research
Ten years on: The Living Ash project
Established in 2013, the Living Ash Project (LAP) aims to restore ash as a thriving broadleaved species in the future.
Business
Royal Horticultural Society & Garden Centre Association list of peat-free only compost retailers
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Garden Centre Association (GCA) have produced a list of garden centres and retailers that stock only peat-free growing media.
Business
The Farewell Flowers Directory launched
Launching this week, is the first online service to connect people to independent funeral florists offering natural, beautiful and compostable floral arrangements across the UK
Environment
B&Q’s plant pot recycling stations
The DIY and home improvement retailing company, B&Q have recently launched plastic plant pot recycling stations in over 100 of their stores across the UK.
Wildlife
Hedgehog conservation initiaves
To mark the upcoming Hedgehog Awareness Week (5th – 11th May), thedirt.news sheds light on the various conservation campaigns and initiatives working to halt their decline.
Environment
The Lego Flood House: from vulnerable to flood resilient
Designed by Dr. Edward Barsley and Blue Heart, the Lego Flood House aims to help highlight the impacts of flooding and benefits of adaptation and resilience.
Environment
An estimated £2.9million spent on UK gardens, is wasted due to flood risk, says Flood Re
New data from Flood Re suggests that due to low awareness and understanding of flood risks, people in the UK are wasting £2.9 million per year on their gardens.
Environment
Two men charged for iconic Sycamore Gap tree felling
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers have been charged with criminal damage for cutting down the 200 year old Sycamore Gap tree last September.
Health
New compulsory bird registration rules
Regardless of the size of the flock, Defra has announced compulsory registration requirements for all bird keepers to combat avian influenza outbreaks.
Gardens
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh seeks support to save the Palm Houses
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh needs to raise £250,000 towards completion of the Palm Houses restoration to ensure their ongoing to legacy inspire and educate.
Wildlife
Further insect declines highlighted in 2023 Bugs Matter citizen science survey
The Bugs Matter Survey report reveals that the abundance of flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates has fallen by a staggering 78% since 2004.
Environment
Forestry Commission on reducing plastic tree guards usage
The Forestry Commission outlines their move towards more sustainable forestry with plastic usage reduction and recycling programmes.
Book Release
One Garden Against the World: In Search of Hope in a Changing Climate
In her new book, Kate Bradbury writes passionately about how her climate-change anxiety pushes her to look for positive ways to keep going in a changing world.
Research
Urban trees reduce heat-related mortality rates
Study found that London’s urban forest helped avoid 153 heat attributable deaths, representing around 16% of Urban Heat Island related mortality.
Wildlife
Dutch National Bee Count
Similar to our equivalent Big Butterfly Count, the people of the Netherlands are counting bees to help assess the health and prevalence of wild bee populations in the country.
Wildlife
Often misunderstood, bats are essential for the environment
Despite their maligned reputation, bats carry out important work and contribute to the health of our ecosystem.
Media
Knepp ‘Wilding’ film in cinemas June 2024
Based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling book by the same title, the new documentary feature film about the story of rewilding Knepp releases in June.
Gardens
RHS Chelsea’s Flood Resilient Garden is heading to Howbery Business Park
The Flood Resistant garden, designed by Naomi Slade and Dr Ed Barsley to drive awareness of flood risk is destined for Howbery Business Park in Oxfordshire.
Wildlife
Oxford wood’s Great Tits are adapting their breeding to climate change
Research conducted in Wytham Woods near Oxford suggests that great tits (Parus major) have been able to manage the effects of climate change.