Conservation
Somerset river re-routed back to its original floodplain
The river reset has allowed the Aller on Exmoor in Somerset to find its natural course, and should help reduce flooding by slowing the flow… Read More »Somerset river re-routed back to its original floodplain
River Sherbourne to be returned to historical route
Led by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, the latest stage of the Sherbourne Valley Project will focus on an area known as Coundon Wedge. It will… Read More »River Sherbourne to be returned to historical route
River Wye: How the Government’s new housing rules could prolong damage to the ‘dying’ waterway
Ministers plan to ditch laws requiring housebuilders to ensure new homes don’t increase the level of nutrient pollution in protected rivers, with more than 2,000… Read More »River Wye: How the Government’s new housing rules could prolong damage to the ‘dying’ waterway
Growing number of countries consider making ecocide a crime
Mexico latest country where government is considering passing new laws to criminalise environmental destruction. While damaging the environment is already an offence in most countries,… Read More »Growing number of countries consider making ecocide a crime
What is Stage Zero River Restoration?
The term “Stage Zero” refers to the state of a river before human disturbance or land use. This approach to river restoration is a recently… Read More »What is Stage Zero River Restoration?
Unlocking a river: rare silver fish returns to its ancient spawning grounds – in pictures
When four navigational weirs were built on the Severn in the 1840s they blocked the route of shoals of twaite shad as they made their… Read More »Unlocking a river: rare silver fish returns to its ancient spawning grounds – in pictures
‘Rewiggle’ room: Lewes river channel project will create new wetland
The Cockshut is a 1.9-mile long chalk stream that flows from the foot of the South Downs in Kingston, joining the River Ouse at Lewes… Read More »‘Rewiggle’ room: Lewes river channel project will create new wetland
Plant diversity in urban green spaces led to sevenfold increase in insect species, study finds
Scientists find ‘substantial ecological changes’ after greening initiative by major road in Melbourne, Australia. The benefits of urban greening initiatives are increasingly well documented: they… Read More »Plant diversity in urban green spaces led to sevenfold increase in insect species, study finds
The Guardian view on canals: a national success story under threat
The restoration of much of Britain’s vast canal network has been a notable and uplifting success story. Originally saved in the 1960s from Beeching-style closures by Labour’s… Read More »The Guardian view on canals: a national success story under threat
IUCN launches guide to effectively and equitably conserving at least 30% of the Earth by 2030
The International Union for Conservation Nature’s World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN WCPA) has launched a freely available guide to achieving Target 3 or the “30×30… Read More »IUCN launches guide to effectively and equitably conserving at least 30% of the Earth by 2030
Egg farmer halves pollution levels
A conservation group has said an environmental project at a chicken farm in Herefordshire has halved the amount of pollution entering local watercourses. A project… Read More »Egg farmer halves pollution levels
‘An utter disgrace’: 90% of England’s most precious river habitats blighted by raw sewage and farming pollution
Observer investigation reveals the shocking state of the country’s protected freshwater sites of special scientific interest. More than 90% of freshwater habitats on England’s most… Read More »‘An utter disgrace’: 90% of England’s most precious river habitats blighted by raw sewage and farming pollution
Trees, rivers and mountains are gaining legal status – but it’s not been a quick fix for environmental problems
As the scale and severity of environmental issues become more obvious, lawmakers are experimenting with new ways to protect nature. One approach that has gone from blue-sky… Read More »Trees, rivers and mountains are gaining legal status – but it’s not been a quick fix for environmental problems
Extreme water stress faced by countries home to quarter of world population
Data from the World Resources Institute suggests these countries are regularly using 80% of their water supplies each year. WRI’s Aqueduct water risk map reveals… Read More »Extreme water stress faced by countries home to quarter of world population