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Framing Nature – conservation and culture‘Framing Nature – conservation and culture’ by Laurence Rose, recommendation by Rosie Wood Covering just ten species, Laurence dedicates a chapter to nine of them. The tenth, our own, winds through and around the fates of the...

Why I joined the Middle Marches Community Land Trust Why did I join the Middle Marches Community Land Trust? By Andrew Wood Well, my wife is one of the Trustees and I didn’t really feel I had any choice! Seriously?  Yes. She’s my life partner and I try to support her...

The return of the turtle doveThe soft purring of the turtle dove was something many of us were once very used to hearing in the summer – but for most British people, no more. Their numbers fell by 77% between 1970 and 2001 (source British Trust for Ornithology). And...

Restoring Shropshires Verges Project (RSVP)Over the last 60 years, 97% of our wildflower meadows have been lost, which has had a huge impact on wildlife. Road verges offer a real opportunity to help reverse this loss and if managed correctly, they could form long,...

3D Buffer Strips 3D buffer strips - doing more for the environment A new study looks at how buffer zones can deliver even more benefits for the environment, and reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture. This presentation is a summary of the findings. How riparian...

Pine martens Pine martens by Stuart Edmunds Pine martens were presumed extinct in Shropshire for over a century and numerous reported sightings of these elusive mammals between 1976 and 2015 were never verified. Then, July 2015, a small population was discovered,...

Notes from the HillBy Simon Cooter and the Natural England staff at Rigmoreoak (June 2020) As lockdown eases, but the thoughts of holidaying are still restricted somewhat, we are seeing a lot more visitors on the hill. The site is probably robust enough to cope with...

Today's walkBy Rob Rowe (June 2020) In response to the change in weather, there have been a few amazing fungi growths. Mainly bracket fungi which grow directly out of the tree. I passed one on a side road last week growing just out of reach on an oak tree....