July positive news
Ten positive environmental news stories from this month.
Article by: Eveline Vouillemin
This month’s collection of climate positive news stories highlight the creation of wildlife corridors in Aberdeen, a walking charity that is expanding a free training programme to break down the barriers that prevent young people from getting outdoors, and how deforestation has fallen to its lowest level in 23 years in Colombia.
1. Dog backpacks used to help seed nature reserve
Dogs with backpacks are being used to help rewild a nature reserve in East Sussex.
The specially designed pouches sprinkle wildflower seeds as the dogs sniff about on their daily walks.
The pilot scheme is being run by Railway Land Wildlife Trust in Lewes and aims to replicate the activity of wolves which used to roam our landscape before they went extinct in Britain in around 1760.
Find out more on the BBC website.
2. Pre-loved toy business partners with wildlife trust
Charlotte Liebling, 28, from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, started Loved Before as an online business from her conservatory and her toys are now stocked in Selfridges stores.
The pre-loved stuffed animals will now feature at 11 Essex Wildlife Trust sites in a partnership that Ms Liebling said was "beautifully aligned".
Toys are donated to the business before they go through "meticulous deep cleaning" and are then rehomed, with a backstory to every teddy. Loved Before has permanent stands in Selfridges stores in Birmingham, Manchester and London.
Find out more on the BBC website.
3. Wind and solar overtake fossil fuels in the EU
Wind and solar produced more energy in the EU during May than all fossil fuels combined, according to energy think tank Ember.
This is the first full month on record where these renewables produced more power - with almost a third of the bloc’s electricity coming from wind and solar. Fossil fuels generated a record low of 27 per cent.
Find out more on the Euronews website.
4. Deforestation in Colombia falls to lowest level in 23 years
Deforestation in Colombia fell sharply in 2023 to its lowest level in 23 years, the country’s environment ministry has said. The amount of forest loss fell from 1,235 sq km in 2022 to 792 sq km in 2023 – a 36 per cent decrease, official figures revealed.
Most of the environmental gains were in the Amazon rainforest, where the Colombian government is focusing much of its conservation efforts.
Find out more on The Guardian website.
5. Controlled grazing of cows helps bee orchids return to nature reserve
A species thought lost from Spurn Point National Nature Reserve has flowered for the first time in 30 years. Staff believe the reappearance of the bee orchid is due to a new conservation grazing regime.
Cows were controlled via GPS collar and allowed to eat only in specific areas, rather than roaming freely where they were naturally attracted to eating sweet flowers. By controlling where the cows grazed, the nature reserve allowed a wide variety of wild flowers, including the orchid, to grow. Rosie Jaques, reserve and marine officer, said this was an "amazing result".
Find out more on the BBC website.
6. Wildlife corridors to support bees
Work to create wildlife corridors in Aberdeen is ongoing with the aim of helping bees thrive in the city. The Aberdeen B-Lines project is hoping to use 20 hectares of council owned land to help offset the loss of flower-rich grasslands. It is focusing on areas such as the River Don, River Dee, and along the coast.
Find out more on the BBC website.
7. Nature reserve celebrates finding its 500th moth
A nature reserve has identified its 500th species of moth, one that has not been seen there for 50 years.
The sighting, at RSPB Saltholme, is only the fourth time the Reed Minor has been recorded in County Durham since it was first spotted in 1881. It is one of 12 newly recorded moth species at the reserve which are considered nationally scarce.
Find out more on the BBC website.
8. Livestock farmer gets conservation champion award
Neil Anderson, a livestock farmer from Kingsdown, Kent, has won a top annual conservation award, the Emsden Trophy, for his work supporting nature.
Mr Anderson has been recognised for his work to improve soil health, cut chemical use and provide safe nesting, breeding and feeding sites for native wildlife. He said: “It’s great to be recognised for the conservation work. I have always felt that the environment comes first”.
Find out more on the Farming UK website.
9. Charity 'breaking down barriers' to get young people outside
A walking charity has said it is expanding a free training programme that aims to break down the barriers that prevent young people from getting outdoors. The Ramblers’ Out There Award was first launched in Scotland in 2019 and will now be offered to up to 70 people in South West England.
Events for 18 to 26-year-olds will be hosted in Bristol, Taunton and Bridgwater, no matter what their background, budget or experience. The programme, which takes place over two days, gives people the chance to gain basic outdoor skills.
Find out more on the BBC website.
10. Rare bumblebee numbers rise after meadows restored
Rare bumblebee numbers are rising in Shropshire following a successful project to restore old hay meadows. The National Trust is leading Stepping Stones, an initiative which aims to reconnect isolated patches of wildlife habitat across the Long Mynd and Stiperstones.
Jinlye Meadows, on the Long Mynd, is now thriving with wildflowers and insects and as a result, the population of bilberry bumblebees has increased.
Find out more on the BBC website.