Stay fire aware in the great outdoors
...safe place, note the fire’s location and call 999. Do not start open fires (camp fires or barbeques) in the countryside. Always have them in safe designated places. Don’t throw...
Ravens have seen impressive recovery
...see that on my local patch in lowland Devon. Over the past ten years ravens have moved from being an occasional winter visitor, to a breeding resident. With that very...
Friends in high places: Ringing peregrine falcon chicks at York Minster
...the roof of York Minster for rather impressive (peregrine eye) views of York. The four chicks were colour-ringed with orange rings with three black letters – allowing them to be...
Royalty, Big Business and Catchment Management: Stepping Up A Gear
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) received the royal seal of approval from The Prince of Wales with water and food and supply chain companies at the Catchment Management Summit at Moreton on Marsh on the 29th of May. The event organised …
Defra group champions young farmers
Natural England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming team and the Environment Agency are pioneering partnership working across the Defra family to educate young farmers and improve water quality for all. The Great Farm Challenge is a collaborative project, delivered by Natural England’s …
Reflections: Using nature to overcome 21st Century water challenges
The Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Partnership celebrated World Water Day on Thursday 22nd March. This year’s theme ‘Nature for Water’ provided us with an opportunity to reflect on our core approach to Catchment Sensitive Farming which uses ‘nature’ in its …
Mulch ado about soil health
Humble soil has been enjoying a spot in the limelight lately. Environment Secretary Michael Gove has stressed the importance of soil fertility to protect the productivity of UK earth for farmers and growers. Last week Farming Minister George Eustice outlined …
Educating children on farming and nature
Lead Adviser Alison Muldal, and award winning farmer Lydia Otter, tell us about the benefits of opening up farms to children so they can learn about farming and the environment. Alison: Agri-environment schemes (such as Countryside Stewardship) have been a feature of …
A Blue Belt in Marine protection for Seabirds
Emily Kirkham in our Marine Team tells us about today’s momentous announcement to protect three important sites for seabirds. I work on the Natural England led project to identify a suite of marine Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Today it’s really pleasing …
How to create a wildflower meadow
Dr Andy Cooke is a Natural England national specialist for agri-environment schemes. His work includes monitoring and providing advice on important wildlife habitats. Wildflower meadows are among our most culturally important and best loved habitats, from the upland hay meadows …