I’ve read ‘Wild Service’ and think Patrick Barkham is right to describe it as a “founding text for a new environmentalism”.

It puts words to so much that I’ve experienced since stepping into service to the River Wye.

A beautiful, revolutionary book.

theguardian.com/environment/20…

My first butterfly in flight shot of the year, a magnificent male orange tip patrolling our lane. OM1mk2 and 40-150 OM SYSTEM Cameras Butterfly Conservation 🦋 West Midlands Butterfly Conservation Matthew Oates Patrick Barkham Iolo Williams BBC Springwatch RSPB

Roger Deakin/The Swimmer is on tour this summer – dates so far include:
May 9, Aylsham, Book Hive
June 18, Steyning Bookshop
June 19, Ipswich, Suffolk Book League
June 26, Haslemere Bookshop
July 25, Rossiter, Ross-on-Wye
Aug 23, Edinburgh Festival
ticketsource.co.uk/rossiterbooks/…

Grow your grass long man! 93% boost for butterflies (in intensive farming areas) Brilliant research by Richard Fox and Butterfly Conservation 🦋 theguardian.com/environment/20…

The sound of the soil. Fascinating report by my colleague Phoebe Weston theguardian.com/environment/20…

Loss of wild sound – both diversity and intensity. Sad news. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Marine Miles - THE ROUTE! 📍🚶‍♂️🗺

Very excited to share our convoluted route for myself and Katie Monk walk from Lands End to John O' Groats this summer raising money for the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust.

Thanks so much for your amazing support so far!

Donate here 👇
gofundme.com/f/marine-miles…

'As the developer, it is the Council’s responsibility to show there is no satisfactory alternative to their scheme and that the conservation status of the bats will not be negatively affected.' I can answer this for Norfolk County Council: there are alternatives & bat will be harmed.

I'm giving a talk about the wild life of Roger Deakin to the brilliant Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society in Lenwade, Norfolk, this Thursday, 7.30pm. Event open to all and tickets are £3 – now that's a proper price, how things used to be! wvbs.co.uk

Lovely Country diary by Mark Cocker on the wonder that is the Fortingall yew – theguardian.com/environment/20…

Celebrated the earthworm's triumph at the UK Invertebrate of Year 2024 contest by adding one of my compost heaps (and thousands of worms) to the veg patch. Mighty worms helped create all this, and continue to make it better and better. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Patrick Barkham The Guardian Chris Packham Excellent choice!🪱the #Earthworm is an amazing creature & we know that the Earthworm Society UK will be cheering loudly too!

Want to know more about them, then do check out our Guest Blog, from Keiron Derek Brown Recording Officer at the Earthworm Society UK
👇
buglife.org.uk/blog/the-secre…

Good Six Inches of Soil debate! Disagree with George Monbiot here – coal mine analogy doesn't actually apply to livestock farming. Must tackle food markets, meat consumption & most of all, support farmers/land managers who are making positive enviro changes.
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

UK Invertebrate of the Year 2024. We have a winner! Thank you The Guardian Buglife Chris Packham and the THOUSANDS of other people who took part and spread the invertebrate love. Here's to govt and everyone taking more action to help them. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Whenever someone asks me, 'What wildflower is easy to grow & good for bees?'....which happens quite a lot, my answer is AlWAYS the dandelion.

When these fitties grow in clumps, that bursting yellow is just magic & bees, like this buff tailed bumblebee love them.

Let them grow!

Six Inches of Soil is sold out on April 26th in Hackney but tickets still available for the screening Reepham, Norfolk! Looking forward to discussing it afterwards.

I enjoyed Ali Smith (writer, photographer and New Yorker Ali Smith) on moving from New York to... the fine city of Norwich theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

Everything is starting to come to life in the garden as flowers are blooming, birds are singing & bees are buzzing🌱🌸🐸🐝

In this episode of Tiny Tutorials, we’ll be looking at some of the ways you can help wildlife in your garden this April #gardeningtips #wildlifegardening

This is a great idea for people who want help with creating a more wildlife-friendly garden.