The fabulous @bsbicountries.bsky.social will be at #BIBConf25 at Edge Hill University on 29 November. This is your chance to talk to James about British & Irish endemic plants inc Whitebeams & to buy a copy (if you haven't already) of his book 'Endemic'. www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...

The House of Commons has voted down amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which would maintain protection to nature and wildlife in future developments Full story:

The majority of Britons think important places for nature should have stronger protections. Only 2% think protections should be weakened... yet that’s where ministers keep pushing.

Apologies to both @jensoilandpen.bsky.social and Rob Schofield. This is, of course, Rob's diary on the longhorns.

You’ve signed petitions. Maybe even started one. But what really happens after 100,000 signatures? 🎧 Hear four Chairs of the House of Commons Petitions Committee explain what your click actually does — and how it can change the law. buff.ly/DtFCEsn

What would legislation to #EndPeatSales contain? 👇 Our legislative asks are now up on our website. See the full description of what we're campaigning for: peatfreepartnership.org.uk/who-we-are/o...

At 2025 Lancs Rural, Wildlife, & Heritage Crime Conference at Langho, this a.m. & early p.m. Wide-ranging agenda from modern slavery to cybersecurity, but including bats, badgers, peregrines, & presentation by DI Mike Harrison of www.nwcu.police.uk @lydiagerman.bsky.social @lancspolice.bsky.social

Desperately seeking Ministers' support for #blanketbog protection amendment to #PlanningInfrastructureBill saverestorewalshawmoor.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/d...

"Joan Edwards, director of policy and public affairs at the Wildlife Trusts, said it was vital that the amendment to disarm the most damaging aspects of the planning bill was supported by MPs in the Commons next* week." *Now starting this week (13th). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

@manccop.bsky.social @lancashirepolice.bsky.social @merseysidepcc.bsky.social FYI

Join us live on Monday 10 November at 5pm (GMT) as we break down what COP30 is all about, why it matters and how countries are preparing to meet their climate commitments. We’ll also explore what it means for us here in the UK – and have your questions answered live! www.youtube.com/live/M7BzIRe...

UK Petition of Parliament "Provide funding for a nationwide, nature-rich river corridor network." petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...

📢New Chair elected for the Environment APPG 📢 We're delighted to announce @fleuranderson.bsky.social as our new Chair! Fleur brings a range of interest and experience to the role, including leading the charge to ban plastic in wet wipes ♻️ We’re excited to work with Fleur on the APPG!

A vote in the House of Lords has offered a glimmer of hope for our most vulnerable habitats and species. Will you ask your MP to vote for Amendment 130 and remove the most dangerous element of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill? https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/lords-vote-for-amendment-130/

Developers of two large Irish Sea wind farms have committed more than £100M to Belfast Harbour in a deal that will see the port used as a staging and assembly base for turbine components Full story:

Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us in our new report with @nationaltrust.org.uk  @pettorelli.bsky.social

Data-centre builders are racing to adapt facilities for artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, but industry specialists warn that supply chains and power networks may not be keeping pace Full story: buff.ly/LTkXqJL

How can we rebuild the political consensus on environmental action? Today we're bringing together leaders from politics, business and civil society to explore this question and chart a path forward. 🧵 We'll be posting live updates from our panels and keynotes right here, so stay tuned. #GAevent

(1/) The distinctive Curlew, with its evocative, bubbling calls declined by 51% between 1995 and 2023 across the UK. This decline was particularly significant in Wales, where it declined by 76%. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology

"Another national forest will be planted in 'the north of England', with a competition to decide the location to be launched early next year as part of a commitment to allocate more than £1bn this parliament to tree-planting & support to the forestry sector." Fit with Land Use Framework?

@clareshawpoet.bsky.social FYI "On Monday 17th November the Northern Culture APPG (all Party Parliamentary Group) will be kicking off its inquiry addressing the first question: What is the true value of the North’s cultural capital?" Secure your place here: buytickets.at/devoagency1/...

No government defeats in the Lords last night in the final night of report stage for the Planning & Infrastructure Bill. Even swift bricks didn't manage to get over the line (vote below). Next is Lords Third Reading on 10 November

Is it possible to have it all: to build 1.5 million homes without accelerating the climate crisis? greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/09/10/i...

While UK's new climate & growth plan proposes measures to support farmers to cut emissions & restore habitats, increasing access to nature & protecting communities against flooding, slow progress means lower emissions savings projected. @green-alliance.org.uk greenallianceblog.org.uk/2025/10/31/a...

Water risks could undermine tech sector’s growth, study finds www.edie.net/water-risks-...

"The rain has helped .. Lancs, Greater Manchester, [&] Merseyside move out of drought status into drought recovery today. While this signals an improvement in this area, the position is fragile & with further dry weather, these areas could move back to drought." www.gov.uk/government/n...

Greater Manchester, Lancashire, & Merseyside are "no longer in drought", but the situation remains "fragile". www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/2558489...

🔔 Nature is at risk, but your voice can help. The Planning Bill is nearly law. An amendment passed by the Lords yesterday offers vital protection - but it needs MP support to stay in. 📢 Tell your MP: please back Amendment 130. wtru.st/49ch28z

Northern Ireland will outlaw mercury fillings from 2035 but no ban is planned in the rest of the UK. Richard Benwell, CE of @wclnews.bsky.social, said “A global deal will be on the table in Nov - the UK should stop dragging its heels and commit to a phase-out.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...

🚨 The Govt has just published its Carbon Budget Delivery Plan - we are calling for nature to be at the heart of net zero “Only nature can put the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’, by restoring landscapes with woodlands, peatlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows" Read here👇 www.wcl.org.uk/only-nature-...

Amendment 130 has passed in the House of Lords 🎉 The Lords have voted decisively that the Govt's new approach on planning - Environmental Delivery Plans - must only apply to water and air issues. Their message is clear: planning reform must not put species and habitats in the firing line.

"Investing in nature recovery is not a ‘nice to have’ – it's the backbone of our net zero strategy, driving green jobs, resilient landscapes and a liveable future for people alongside wildlife.”

'Communities must have the right to own environmental assets' Great letter from @tomchance.bsky.social of the Community Land Trust Network to @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, asking her to amend the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy: www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/news-and-eve...

With only 2% of land currently protected for nature, how can Wales achieve 30x30 in just five years? Our new report with @tirweddaucymru.bsky.social lays out how, with stronger support, clearer leadership & greater collaboration, Wales can be a leader in restoring nature in Designated Landscapes

If you'd like to start the day with an inspiring reminder of what's going on in the natural world across the UK, all you need to do is like and pin the @theguardian.com country diary feed. Pls repost and share with any other interested folks. 🙏

The Planning Bill is back in the Lords today - and it still falls short of the win-win for nature the Government says it wants. We’re grateful to the Peers that have stepped up with vital fixes. But today’s votes help decide whether this Bill truly delivers for nature & people. 👇

A blog musing on (and not on) Walshaw Moor markavery.info/2025/10/29/o... "If there were a fan club for Walshaw Moor then I’d be a member, despite never having set foot on it." #wuthering #hebden #haworth #peat #daftwindfarm #floods #publicland #grouse

Young people are having to live with low access to nature, this needs to change. We all know that spending time outdoors in green and blue spaces can have incredible impacts on our wellbeing, yet young homebuyers are being priced out of areas with good access to nature. @wclnews.bsky.social

"The best time to protect wildlife was twenty years ago. The second-best time is this week, in the Lords Chamber." Philip Box @wclnews.bsky.social www.wcl.org.uk/planning-and...

"This crude and dishonest campaign ... will only erode public trust, needlessly inflame culture wars .. & further degrade the natural world ... Stop pitting people against nature & start working with those striving to ensure that new developments benefit both." www.theguardian.com/environment/...

How do Environmental Values and Attributes Influence Coastal Community Acceptance of Tidal Energy? Evidence from the Bristol Channel, UK ukerc.ac.uk/publications...

#GAevent | This week the government will release its climate and growth plan. Will it show people how climate action = warmer homes, cleaner air, better transport, thriving nature and good jobs? Join our webinar next Wednesday w/ Green Alliance experts to see if the plan meets the moment.

The #PlanningBill is in its final days in the Lords. This is the last real chance to make sure England’s planning system helps – not harms – nature. 🌿 We’re backing key amendments to put promises into law and secure nature’s place in planning. 🔗 wcl.org.uk/planning-and...

Is it a Happy Birthday for the Water Framework Directive? Some suggestions for happier returns are presented below. 🎁 www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/ali-mor... .

"Could it be that the city [of Manchester] has become too wedded to the name, or the history, of Piccadilly Gardens?" manchestermill.co.uk/are-the-picc...

Our seabeds are silent climate heroes! 🌊💙 Join @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social free online Wild LIVE: 'Mud Matters' to hear from experts about the value of UK seabeds for climate and wildlife. Tuesday 28 Oct at 6.30pm 👉 wildlifetrusts.org/events/2025-...

Red Moss SSSI Visit Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting Red Moss Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Many people might not know but we are blessed to have this wonderful site just at the back of the Middlebrook.

Some holey bricks (like air bricks) are in building regulation while others are not Swift bricks would help endangered species recover, but are not in regulations Planning reforms must get #WilderByDesign - including regulation for nature-friendly design like swift bricks to be in new developments

@lydiagerman.bsky.social - as its as much about Comms ...