Inspiring the next generation of conservationists

By ‘inspiring the next generation of conservationists’ I do not just mean inspiring a generation to ‘go into’ nature conservation as a career path. I mean to inspire a generation to ‘think as conservationists’ and to think with the natural world in mind. This is of absolute importance as we move forward and face theContinueContinue reading “Inspiring the next generation of conservationists”

New Nature Writing – a response to Mark Cocker’s Article

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2015/06/death-naturalist-why-new-nature-writing-so-tame Mark Cocker has called the recent expansion of “new nature writing”  ‘among the most significant developments in British publishing this century’. Further, he claims that, whilst the audience is probably bigger than ever before, the presence of ‘real nature’ is perhaps less cogent. Generally, I agree. In a recent article in the New StatesmanContinueContinue reading “New Nature Writing – a response to Mark Cocker’s Article”

My Vision for Nature (and Farming)

This post was written for the ‘Vision for Nature’ Campaign being run by ‘A Focus on Nature’, the principal network for young conservationists in the UK. The original can be found on the AFON website. For me, improving the state of nature goes hand in hand with improving land management techniques and engaging with the farmingContinueContinue reading “My Vision for Nature (and Farming)”

What is High Nature Value Farming and why should we support it?

Recently I came across High Nature Value farming (HNV) as an ‘alternative’ approach to looking at the food and environmental sustainability debate. The more I have read the more embarrassed I feel to not have heard about it before. In fact, it has deep roots as an idea and has been European policy for someContinueContinue reading “What is High Nature Value Farming and why should we support it?”

Focusing on…THE ALLERTON PROJECT

Taking part in the Big Farmland Bird Count at the weekend made me more aware of the work of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and particularly the Allerton Project. This post will be part of a number of blog posts profiling organisations and environmental/conservation projects. According to the GWCT website the aims of theContinueContinue reading “Focusing on…THE ALLERTON PROJECT”