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Some lovely news to share…
We’ve just opened up part of our Naturespace project to a local CIC — Daniel’s Kitchen CIC — and I couldn’t be happier about it. This partnership means we’re not just talking about doing good in the community… we’re actually doing it. Together, we’re creating a space where people can grow food, connect with nature,…
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Q3. What Happens When We Treat the Planet as Disposable?
Our world is one of convenience. Use it, bin it, move on. Fast fashion. Single-use plastics. Endless consumption. Just spend five minutes at a rubbish tip and watch what gets thrown away. This can’t end well, can it? Here’s the thing: the planet isn’t disposable, and its resources aren’t infinite. We contribute to the problem…
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Q2. What Does It Mean to ‘Belong’ to the Earth?
Rather than belong, we prefer to be in charge. We’re the apex predator – the masters of the planet. Of the universe! We own land. Build castles. Mark out borders. This is mine. Stay away! It’s tomfoolery, really. Because the truth is, the Earth does not belong to us – we belong to it. And…
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Q1. What Does the Earth Give You That You Cannot Live Without?
It’s a long list. When was the last time you stopped to think about the miracle of life? We breathe. We drink. We eat. We’re on autopilot. After those early science lessons fade from memory, we rarely question where it all comes from. The Earth is the provider of everything we depend on. There’s no…
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Introducing: 24 Questions to Save the World.
What if the Earth could ask us its most pressing questions? What would it say about how we live, the choices we make, and the future we leave behind? WWF say: ‘We are what we leave behind.’ That’s the idea behind 24 Questions to Save the World. In the movies, the hero gets 24 hours…
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We’re All Canaries in the Coal Mine: The Truth About Nature’s Decline.
The most profound truth about climate change and nature’s decline is this: our survival and the planet’s are inseparable. Yet, humanity often acts as though we are separate from nature. We behave as if we are above it, beyond it, or even exempt from its rules. This illusion is the root of the crisis. For…
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Did You Know Britain’s Birds Are Disappearing?
Featuring recent findings* on wild bird populations and actionable steps towards reversing their decline. Birdsong, once the soundscape of the British countryside, is (as Rachel Carson predicted in her book Silent Spring) fading. Recent data on wild bird populations in the UK paints a picture of a species under strain. Birds are affected from farmland…
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Podcast: Simon King interviews world-renowned wildlife photographer, Tom Svensson who reveals his undercover past…
From Photographer to Undercover Agent. In a shocking revelation, Tom Svensson shares that his career as a wildlife photographer was originally a cover. He used it for his covert work tracking the blood money behind illegal wildlife crime. Working undercover, Tom faced life-threatening situations, including being kidnapped by those seeking to exploit endangered species for…
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Learning to Let the Leaves Lie
A Lesson from Martin Woods, Former Head Gardener to the Royal Family As autumn rolls in and our gardens fill with leaves, the urge to tidy up kicks in. This year, I’m holding back on the rake. My decision was inspired by a recent chat with Martin Woods. He is the former Head Gardener to…
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Shrinking Biodiversity: The Impact of Human Actions on Wildlife.
Recent reports paint a stark picture of the challenges our planet’s wildlife faces today. The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report 2024 sounds a chilling alarm: there has been a catastrophic 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations over the past 50 years. Freshwater species have been hit even harder, facing a staggering 85% decline. This…
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Invite: On-line webinar – 10th October…
Dear FFON readers and colleagues We hope you are all well. We are delivering an on-line webinar on 10th October (at 18.00 hours (6.00 pm) British Summer Time) about our work in East Africa for the organisation Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA) and we invite you to join us. It’s very much a personal, historical, account of our relationship with…
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Tortoises, Terrapins, Turtles and Temperature Changes.
The British Chelonia Group Spring Symposium in Cambridge, 9th-10th March 2024. Report by Margaret and John Cooper. The British Chelonia Group Spring Symposium, held in Cambridge on 9th-10th March 2024, was a landmark event that united experts and enthusiasts in a comprehensive discussion on the impacts of temperature changes on tortoises, terrapins, and turtles. This report encapsulates a…
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Wolves in the UK. Do we want them or need them?
By Graham Wellstead. In his thought-provoking piece, Graham Wellstead gets his teeth into the question of whether wolves should be reintroduced to the UK. Reflecting on historical accounts and personal experiences, Graham navigates the complexities surrounding this debate. He highlights the ecological and societal considerations, urging readers to ponder the implications of coexisting with these…
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BADGER TROUBLES
By Graham Wellstead. Understanding Badgers: Conservation Efforts and Controversies Introduction: In this blog post, FFON contributor Graham Wellstead shares his personal experiences and insights into the complex relationship between badgers, one of our native wildlife’s most iconic creatures, and human society. Drawing from years of observation and a deep-seated respect for nature, Graham discusses the…
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Bridging the Gap: From Government Pledges to Global Biodiversity Recovery
We live in a world grappling with environmental challenges, where every action (even the well intended ones) have an equal and opposite reaction. No wonder nature’s on the back foot. Credit where it’s due, though, the UK government’s latest conservation measures (see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nature-recovery-to-be-accelerated-as-the-government-delivers-on-measures-to-protect-land-and-sea ) present a slither of hope. These initiatives, aimed at accelerating nature…
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Crafting an AI in Conservation Charter: Steering Technology for Nature’s Sake
Marrying Innovation with Stewardship In the world of conservation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a much-needed beacon of innovation. Yet, as guardians of the natural world, we bear the responsibility to harness this power wisely. With so much at stake, for the sake of good order, it makes sense to – at the very…
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Part 3: AI for Ecosystem Balance – Tracking Nature’s Intricate Web
In this third part of our series, we delve into the dual-edged sword of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ecosystem management. AI’s application in this field is akin to assembling a complex ecological jigsaw, a task Maxwell Knight, a pioneer in nature conservation, might have found captivating. Let me tell you why… AI: The Modern Nature…
