Category: News and events

Look under leaves, search under stones and turn over twigs on the hunt for interesting insects.

A great looking event from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust!

Sign up at Eventbrite.

Butterflies are an important indicator species for biodiversity health, and because their short lifespans is quick to respond to environmental changes such as global heating.

Butterfly Conservation is running its annual Big Butterfly Count again this year, a UK-wide survey aimed at helping assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) that can be seen. Please take some time out to take part in this vital annual count (and if you snap any good shots be sure to get them uploaded to iNaturalist too!).

After a visit to the Molescroft Grange Community Allotments this week by MWN, it was only fitting that the daughter of one of our founding members released a wonderful book “This Allotment” edited by Sarah Rigby.

This Allotment brings together thirteen brilliant contemporary writers in a glorious celebration of these entirely unique spaces: plots that mean so much more than the soil upon which they sit.

We know that not everyone wants to talk about politics, or the election, but one of the best ways to campaign for change that impacts biodiversity, and our local wildlife landscape, is to let those who are keen to secure your vote, what your expectations are for them.

The Yorkshire Rewilding Network has a great piece about how to engage over the election cycle!

YRN would like your help to tell every political candidate in Yorkshire:

• how important nature recovery is
• how rewilding can play a massive part in that recovery
• that you want government policies and action that enable nature to thrive

Read the full article here. And don’t forget your photo ID on polling day!

If environmental concerns feel overwhelming, engaging in personal eco-action can be a constructive approach. Springwatch and the Open University are interested in a piece of citizen science research with people their sharing experiences of eco-anxiety and eco-action. Volunteers are invited to explore, participate, and contribute to making a difference.

This initiative aims to foster a deeper connection with nature through various transformative actions. From hands-on activities to mindful moments in nature, discover practical ways to manage eco-anxiety while contributing to environmental protection and enhancement.

Check out the Springwatch page, or download the Mindful Moments booklet online.

Tophill Low Nature Reserve is having its annual open day on Sunday 9th June.

Admission to the reserve is FREE for this event. The day will start at 10am and finish at 4pm with a whole range of conservation organisations taking part. There are twenty five organisations that will be setting out their stalls and be able to tell visitors all about the work that they do in the area and further afield. Organisations such as Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, East Riding countryside service, In Focus optics and Experience Community highlight the range of information available.

For more information see the Tophill Low Nature Reserve website.

30 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts’ annual challenge event, where everyone involved does one wild thing a day throughout the month of June.

For more information check The Wildlife Trusts website.

Did you complete No Mow May? Your wildflowers and pollinators appreciate your effort in transforming your lawn and local green spaces.

But the work doesn’t have to stop here. Consider dedicating a part of your garden to let nature thrive in June as well. Whether you decide to maintain different grass lengths, watch out for wildlife, or mow selectively, you can continue to make an impact for wildlife and biodiversity.

Check out Plantlife’s guide to keeping the garden a wildlife haven: https://www.plantlife.org.uk/let-it-bloom-june-no-mow-may-is-over-whats-next/

Gardens hold huge potential to address the climate and biodiversity crisis, yet they are increasingly being covered with plastic, paving, and other materials that reduce their ecological value. Urban areas are witnessing a decline in biodiversity due to habitat destruction.

Across the UK a shift from green spaces to concrete and plastic has led to the disappearance of hedgehogs, pollinators and other key species, highlighting the consequences of such changes. Urban gardens, parks, and balconies can mitigate these effects by offering habitats for wildlife, linking ecosystems, and helping regulate urban temperatures. They can also act as carbon sinks, absorbing pollution and providing a buffer against climate impacts.

Efforts to preserve and enhance urban green spaces can make a significant difference. Planting pollinator-friendly flowers, maintaining wild gardens, and creating specific habitats for wildlife can transform gardens into biodiversity havens. This not only supports wildlife but also connects people with nature, fostering a greater appreciation and awareness of the environment.

Protecting and nurturing our green spaces is crucial in combating the climate and biodiversity crises. By prioritizing gardens and natural habitats over concrete and plastic, we can create a more sustainable and resilient urban environment for both wildlife and humans.

These themes are explored in an excellent article in The Guardian, where author of One Garden Against the World: In Search of Hope in a Changing Climate, Kate Bradbury, has a “Long read” summary of her new book.