Nature

Managing the impacts of drought in the Midlands

Two Environment Agency officers, a man and a woman, both wearing waterproof bib-and-brace dungarees, walk up a shallow, narrow stream in the forest with nets and buckets looking for any fish in need of rescue and removal to safer, deeper waters.

What is the situation in England? The National Drought Group met today (15 July) and a drought was declared in the West and East Midlands. The region joins the north-west and Yorkshire which officially declared drought last month. Dry weather …

How does science support sustainable places and pathways to net zero?  

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Nature, Science
Rolling green hills around the Greenbooth Reservoir, with wind turbines in the background and a house in the foreground.

By Dr Gina Cavan, Lead Scientist for Land Research  Achieving net zero by 2050, the UK’s legally binding target, will be a national effort. All parts of the country will contribute in different ways. Areas rich in natural resources will …

Working together to protect and restore the Mimram catchment

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Invasive species, Nature, Rivers, Water
Drone footage of the River Mimram flowing underneath Digswell railway viaduct.

Thanks to funding from the Environment Agency, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has appointed Heidi Mansell as the new Chalk Rivers and Farm Advisory Officer to lead crucial efforts to restore and protect the River Mimram—one of Hertfordshire’s rare and …

Kielder a ‘beacon of hope’ in work to save pearl mussel

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Fisheries and biodiversity, Nature, Water
Image shows a wild juvenile freshwater pearl mussel lying on someone’s hand.

The critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel populations have declined drastically worldwide over recent decades. But conservation work at Kielder Salmon Centre in Northumberland is aiming to reverse that trend through a captive breeding programme and by working with partners to create healthier rivers.

Big data, tiny microbes: environmental DNA in action

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Fisheries and biodiversity, Invasive species, Nature, Rivers, Water
Picture of a white clawed crayfish on a rock.

All living things, from bacteria to blue whales, have DNA in their cells. DNA provides the blueprint for life, directing how organisms grow, reproduce, and live. Since DNA gives a unique genetic code for every species on Earth, we can …

More projects improving the environment through nature market initiatives 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Nature, Sustainability

More projects improving the environment through nature market initiatives  Today we hosted our Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF) Round 3 grantees at the University of Warwick for a dedicated networking and learning day.   This fund is one of the …