#521: National Tree Week 2025

The resource pack from the Tree Council for this year's National Tree Week has been made available as a PDF download via this link.

The week itself runs from the 22nd to the 30th of November.

By the way, for an excellent book on British woodlands check out 'British Woodland' by Ray Mears. A lovely book! It's in my library...

#428: Launch the GCSE Natural History now!

So say campaigners according to this Guardian piece from the weekend.

It could apparently be delayed until 2030....

The previous Conservative administration had supported creating the GCSE, which would teach pupils how to observe, identify and classify plants and animals.
However, campaigners have claimed the plans had been shelved by Labour because the qualification was seen as a “Tory initiative”.

In response to a letter sent by Mary Colwell, Caroline Lucas and others...

A Department for Education spokesperson said on Saturday: “We are committed to driving high and rising standards in schools and ensuring all pupils benefit from a rich and balanced curriculum that sets them up for work and life.

“Through our National Education Nature Park programme, led by the Natural History Museum, children and young people are inspired to connect with nature and develop their understanding of their own role in climate change.

“The government is currently in the process of considering the next steps for a natural history GCSE.”

Let's see what happens next...

#390: Canopy

 Canopy is a group of campaigners who are interested in woodland in particular.

It collates the activities of a whole range of organisations that are concerned to protect existing tree cover, and expand the area of woodland.

It seems to have new additions each time I check in...

#329: Today's march in London

Will be interesting to see what stance the specification will take on the ability to include events like this in the teaching, or will this be classed as 'political'... The logos on the bottom suggest that this is something a lot of important nature conservation groups take very seriously.

Best wishes to all those making their way to London today.

#314: Countryfile Wild Britain

The BBC's long-running Countryfile programme has a Wild Britain campaign. 

This is aimed at the general public and to try to capture acts of kindness towards the wildlife of the country.

We are one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, and whilst we may have some amazing wildlife in this country it’s sadly in crisis: more than 40% of UK species populations have declined since the 1970s and a quarter of British mammals are at risk of extinction.

Wildlife needs you more than ever before. We want you to become a nature champion and choose an action to give wildlife a boost whether that’s making a bog garden to feeding the birds, creating hedgehog homes or mini beast hotels, everyone can help in their own way, no matter what size of space you have. Whatever you choose to do, please add your action to BBC Countryfile Wild Britain map.

#288: RSPB: Nature can't wait

This is a list of logos of organisations that are behind the RSPB's campaign that Nature Can't Wait for us to act on climate change.

They are similar to the organisations that were originally supporters of the GCSE Natural History.

One of the more prominent organisations is the RSPB. 

They have a huge membership and own a number of reserves within and beyond the UK.

I've been a member of the RSPB for well over thirty years.

'Nature can't Wait' is a campaign hub on the main RSPB page.

#56: Nature 2030

The next general election is likely to see the environment as one of the issues that people consider when voting: the state of the country's rivers perhaps, or the proposals for reducing carbon emissions...

A campaign has been launched, supported by a large number of wildlife charities, many of whom are also supporters of the GCSE Natural History.

Politicians pledge to stop #nature's decline by 2030, but vital funding & policies are no where to be seen.

Today, with 80 charities, we launch #Nature2030, calling on all political parties to commit to 5 actions to improve our environment. Please sign!https://t.co/g872LhU9dX pic.twitter.com/PXEemWW79v

— Richard Benwell (@RSBenwell) July 18, 2023