Published on: 4 July 2016
There is no doubt that the farming and food sectors face great uncertainty following the EU Referendum result as does the environment. At a time of change, trees are a strong symbol of permanence. And, the good news is that well-placed trees can be an integral and valued part of profitable farming businesses. They can provide: shade, shelter, water & pollution management, soil protection (erosion), pollination, integrated pest management and product diversification. Whilst at the same time helping to improve the biodiversity and connectivity of the natural landscape.
Read More...Published on: 30 June 2016
If we can inspire communities to take action for nature, we can give people a reason to feel inspired and give wildlife a desperately needed helping hand in some of the most deprived places.
Read More...Published on: 24 June 2016
The decision to leave the European Union could be a disaster for the natural environment in the UK with repercussions for the rest of the world. We must fight to make sure that it’s not.
Read More...Published on: 22 June 2016
Every child matters and every child should have the opportunity to experience nature for themselves.
Read More...Published on: 20 June 2016
Recently, Martin Harper, Director of Conservation at the RSPB, spoke at a Westminster Forum seminar on the future of policy on biodiversity and natural capital in the UK. Here is the vision he set out for the Government’s 25 Year Plan on the Environment.
Read More...Published on: 14 June 2016
The Government has recently consulted on proposals to change cost rules for environmental Judicial Review (JR). If introduced, these changes would create profound difficulties for the nature of charity funding, and their cumulative effect will be to deter all but the very rich from pursuing environmental cases.
Read More...Published on: 9 June 2016
We are dependent on healthy soils. Our soils are not only valuable for growing the food we eat; soil quality impacts on our ability to reduce climate change and can also be an important factor in flood management and the quality of our water. We need to take the health of our soils as importantly as we take our air and water quality.
Read More...Published on: 8 June 2016
The framing of a long-term plan matters. It would be a mistake if the 25 year environment plan were to become only a 25 year natural capital plan, because this would be too narrow. The content of the plan needs to make clear that there’s more to restoring and enhancing the environment than economic benefits.
Read More...Published on: 2 June 2016
Ever the optimist, I hold onto my hope that the Government’s 25 Year Plan for the Environment presents a genuine opportunity to really change the way we view and treat our natural world. Over the years, the conservation sector has become quite adept at writing lists of our aspirations for nature, whilst simultaneously and carefully monitoring its steady decline. We, and government, both have to transform the way we think and act.
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