Ben Eagle

How We Can Eat Our Landscapes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4KmKoj4RSZw&list=PLa5_CCZ0k9jHQtKYDl1c1vmhRaKP15dDE Pam Warhurst is a very inspirational speaker in this, a TED talk on possible ways for communities to make use of land. I would certainly recommend you spare ten minutes or so to watch this and think again about how we can structure our communities,using food production as a common purpose.

Dry Stone Walling – the world’s most difficult jigsaw puzzle

Earlier today I traveled to Dolebury Warren in North Somerset with Bristol University Conservation Group. The purpose of the trip (the group’s final trip of the academic year) was to rebuild a section of wall to provide habitat for various plants and invertebrate species as well as create a new boundary wall for an incomingContinueContinue reading “Dry Stone Walling – the world’s most difficult jigsaw puzzle”

The biodiversity challenge in Europe

Yesterday evening I attended the 43rd Annual Bristol University Alumni Convocation Lecture. The subject chosen was something of great interest to me personally, ‘Biodiversity in Europe’, delivered by Dr Hans Friedrich, who only recently left his post as the European Regional Director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Dr Friedrich, a Dutch geographerContinueContinue reading “The biodiversity challenge in Europe”

The Future of Wheat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QZz86KgoM_E It is estimated that in the next 50 years we will have to produce more wheat than we have over the past 10,000 years. Innovation is apparent in the agricultural sector. From engineering to plant science, specialists have been steadily moving forward. But are we moving forward quickly enough to sustain a rapidly growingContinueContinue reading “The Future of Wheat”

Bees , Pesticides and Politicians

A week ago, all eyes in the European arable industry were on the European Commission as they decided whether or not to place a ban on neonicotinoids, the pesticide family thought to be influencing the decline in bee populations. In fact, in the end, only 15 member states voted for the ban on clothianidin, imidacloprid andContinueContinue reading “Bees , Pesticides and Politicians”