In September 2020, the UK Government announced a commitment to 30% of land for nature by 2030. Sadly, the UK’s National Parks and Areas of Natural Beauty are severely depleted of wildlife through overgrazing, poor management or intensive agricultural practices. Half of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest where nature is supposedly protected are in …
Ruth Pilbeam is a Rewilding Project Officer for Wild Peak and Peatlands Discovery, and Hollie Davis is a Team Wilder Community Engagement Assistant with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. They share varied ways of boosting nature’s recovery through individual and community engagement, providing inspiring stories of rewilding and nature-based activities.
Peatlands are wetland landscapes formed from the accumulation of dead and decaying plants over thousands of years in the presence of waterlogged conditions. This organic matter is called peat. They occupy 3% of land globally and 12% within the UK. There are multiple types of peatlands, three of which are common in the UK: Why …
The importance of woodlands Trees have umpteen benefits; biodiversity, climate change, flooding, air pollution, soil and human health (see this blog for more details). Woodlands are home to more wildlife species than any other habitat. The state of woodlands today Woodlands are essential landscapes but have been diminished and fractured worldwide through human-based activities, such …
Native woods and trees provide the means to tackle the significant environmental crises of our time. Here are a few key benefits based on facts from the Woodland Trust. Trees and climate change Trees are helpful in: Trees and flooding Extreme rainfall events arising from climate change increase the risk of flooding. Trees help reduce …
In a gap year following her science A-levels, Sabaha Hussein took up an NCS Year of Service placement with the Woodland Trust. She shares her experiences at the Young People’s Forest at Mead in Derbyshire, where local people helped plant ~250,000 trees benefiting both people and the planet.
What is a mammal? Mammals, which includes us (and your furry pets), are vertebrate animals (with backbones) characterised by: Mammal species Mammals are diverse; they can be super small, such as bats weighing less than one gram, or impressively large, like the blue whale weighing in at over 180 metric tonnes. There are 5,500 species …
Charlie Le Marquand is the data and information officer for the Mammal Society, whose vital role of determining mammal populations and habitats informs conservation. Charlie shares her enthusiasm and knowledge of British mammals and how we can all get involved in recording their whereabouts.
What is rewilding? Rewilding is the restoration of ecosystems by implementing interventions to the point at which nature can take care of itself. Richard Bunting presents a comprehensive picture of rewilding in his podcast episode. What is the difference between conservation and rewilding? Conservation is the protection and preservation of natural landscapes, ecosystems and species. …
Richard Bunting is Director of Communications & Campaigns International, possessing considerable involvement with organisations prioritising nature. He has much to share on rewilding; what it is, what it looks like, and where it can happen, presenting examples and indicating the myriad of benefits to nature and people.
