Britain’s Hidden Jungle? Scotland’s Tiny Rainforest is Full of Dennis the Menace Lichens and Ancient Magic

When people think of rainforests, they usually picture the Amazon, tropical heat, parrots screeching overhead and maybe the odd snake lurking in a tree.

But Britain has its own rainforest.

And honestly? It is wonderfully weird.

Tucked away beside beautiful Loch Katrine in the heart of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, visitors can now explore one of the easternmost surviving fragments of Scotland’s incredibly rare temperate rainforest thanks to a brand new nature trail celebrating this ancient landscape.

Yes, rainforest. In Scotland.

The newly opened Scotland’s Rainforest Nature Trail has been created by the Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust and winds its way through mossy woodland near Trossachs Pier, an area often described as the birthplace of Scottish tourism.

And this is not just any woodland stroll.

These forests are part of Scotland’s Celtic Rainforest, a habitat that now covers less than one percent of the country. Think twisted ancient trees, emerald-green mosses, rare lichens, damp air and the sort of scenery that looks like it belongs in a fantasy film.

The rainforest has been quietly evolving since the end of the Ice Age, creating the perfect conditions for all sorts of unusual wildlife to thrive, including butterflies, moths, liverworts and lichens so strange-looking they have nicknames.

Which brings us to perhaps the greatest rainforest resident of all.

A shaggy lichen affectionately nicknamed “Dennis the Menace” because it looks like the famously wild-haired Dennis the Menace from DC Thomson.

Naturally, the trail now includes the comic troublemaker himself on one of its information panels after special permission was granted to mark Dennis’s 75th anniversary year.

Only in Britain could a rainforest conservation story somehow involve Beano comics.

The trail has been carefully designed to help protect the fragile habitat too, with enclosed pathways and boardwalks guiding visitors through sensitive areas while reducing erosion and disturbance.

It also links directly to the Scenic Tower & Lookouts above the loch, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across the water and surrounding hills, the same landscapes that inspired Sir Walter Scott when writing The Lady of the Lake.

With more than 250,000 people visiting Loch Katrine every year, the new trail is helping shine a spotlight on one of Britain’s most magical and overlooked ecosystems.

So next time somebody says Britain does not have rainforests, you can tell them we absolutely do.

Ours just happen to come with lichens named after comic book characters.

https://www.lochkatrine.com

Tourism That Gives Back: National Forest Celebrates Businesses Helping Nature Thrive

National Forest Tourism Champions

There is something wonderfully hopeful about the story of the National Forest. 

Once shaped heavily by industry and mining, the landscape has been transformed over the past three decades into one of Britain’s great environmental success stories, and now tourism businesses are helping drive the next chapter.

This week, organisations helping build a more regenerative future for tourism were recognised as the National Forest unveiled its new Transformative Tourism Framework at Hoar Cross Hall.

The initiative is all about making tourism a force for good, not just for visitors, but for nature, local communities and the wider rural economy too.

Presented by Lady Victoria Borwick, the inaugural Champions received sustainable wooden plaques crafted from National Forest timber in recognition of the work they are already doing to create greener, healthier and more welcoming visitor experiences.

Rather than focusing on rigid accreditation schemes or perfection, the framework encourages practical progress and collaboration. It is built around five key pathways: supporting a greener economy, encouraging low-carbon travel, improving accessibility, boosting wellbeing and restoring nature.

Among those recognised for low-carbon travel was National Forest E-Bike and Walking Holidays, which encourages visitors to explore the Forest sustainably through guided cycling and walking adventures. Meanwhile, National Memorial Arboretum was praised for improving public transport access through its dedicated bus connection to Tamworth railway station.

Businesses championing sustainability in hospitality and enterprise included Tollgate Brewery, woodland skills specialists Greenwood Days and Hoar Cross Hall, which has invested in biomass energy systems.

Elsewhere, organisations such as Calke Abbey, Bradgate Park and Hicks Lodge were recognised for making outdoor spaces more accessible and inclusive.

Nature and wellbeing sit at the heart of the Forest’s growing appeal. Projects including Whistlewood Common and Wild Minds are using outdoor learning, volunteering and nature connection to support mental health and community wellbeing.

Perhaps most inspiring of all is the sheer scale of the transformation.

Since the early 1990s, forest cover across the area has increased from just six per cent to more than 26 per cent. Earlier this year, the Forest celebrated the planting of its 10 millionth tree,  a remarkable milestone that highlights what long-term environmental ambition can achieve.

Today, over 8.5 million visitors explore the National Forest every year, contributing almost £620 million to the local economy while enjoying woodland walks, cycling trails, forest bathing, wildlife experiences and nature-based stas.

At a time when many destinations are asking how tourism can become more sustainable, the National Forest is showing that tourism can do far more than simply minimise harm — it can actively help restore landscapes, support biodiversity and strengthen communities.

And that feels like a future worth exploring.

To learn more and see a full list of the champions visit https://www.nationalforest.org

World Turtle Day: Why These Ancient Ocean Travellers Need Our Help More Than Ever

Every year on 23 May, the world celebrates World Turtle Day, a chance to shine a spotlight on one of nature’s most fascinating and resilient creatures.

Turtles have been around for more than 200 million years. 

They survived the extinction of the dinosaurs, adapted to changing oceans and climates, and became vital parts of marine and freshwater ecosystems across the globe.

Yet despite their incredible history, many turtle species are now fighting for survival because of modern environmental pressures.

For a blog like That’s Green, World Turtle Day is a reminder that conservation is not just about protecting distant wildlife. It is about protecting the balance of the natural world that ultimately supports all of us.

Sea turtles play a surprisingly important role in ocean health. Green turtles help maintain healthy seagrass beds by grazing on them, keeping the underwater ecosystems productive and balanced. Other turtle species help control jellyfish populations and contribute to healthy coral reef environments.

But turtles face mounting threats almost everywhere they live.

Plastic pollution remains one of the biggest dangers. A floating plastic bag can easily be mistaken for a jellyfish, leading turtles to ingest waste that can seriously injure or kill them. Lost fishing gear, known as “ghost gear”, can trap turtles in the water, while coastal development destroys nesting beaches that female turtles return to year after year.

Climate change is adding even more pressure. Rising sand temperatures can actually affect the sex of hatchlings, with warmer beaches producing far more females than males. Stronger storms and rising sea levels are also damaging fragile nesting habitats around the world.

The good news is that conservation efforts are making a difference.

Protected marine areas, beach clean-up campaigns, wildlife rescue centres, and international conservation programmes are all helping turtle populations recover in some regions. Around the world, volunteers work tirelessly to monitor nests, protect hatchlings, and reduce pollution entering the oceans.

And ordinary people can help too.

Simple actions such as cutting down on single-use plastics, supporting sustainable seafood, joining local litter picks, and spreading awareness all contribute to protecting marine life. Even small choices can have a ripple effect when enough people get involved.

World Turtle Day is ultimately about respect, for wildlife, for oceans, and for the fragile ecosystems that connect us all.

After millions of years on Earth, turtles deserve a future that is safer, cleaner, and far more sustainable than the one humans are currently giving them.

https://www.worldturtleday.org

Clean Energy Meets Rewilding as PLAN-B NET ZERO Joins Forces with Planet Wild

Big climate challenges need big ideas, and sometimes the best solutions come when two worlds collide. 

That is exactly what is happening with a new partnership between Swiss GreenTech company PLAN-B NET ZERO and Berlin-based rewilding organisation Planet Wild.

The two organisations have announced a strategic partnership that blends clean energy with large-scale nature restoration, proving that fighting climate change is not just about switching to renewable power, but also about helping the natural world recover.

And honestly? It makes perfect sense.

Solar panels, wind farms and greener energy systems are vital, but forests, wetlands, oceans and wildlife all play a huge role in keeping the planet balanced too. Healthy ecosystems absorb carbon, support biodiversity and help protect communities from environmental damage.

This new partnership aims to tackle both sides of the equation.

Planet Wild has quickly become one of Europe’s most talked-about conservation movements. Founded in 2022 by Markus Gilles, Jonas Brandau and Andreas Pursian, the organisation has built a huge online following through its ambitious rewilding missions, all documented publicly on YouTube.

What started with just 12 supporters has exploded into a global movement. By 2025, Planet Wild had completed more than 30 missions across 25 countries, with some projects attracting over €250,000 in community funding.

That growth shows something important, people want hopeful environmental stories. They want to see action, not just headlines.

Now, with PLAN-B NET ZERO becoming Planet Wild’s first official B2B Rewilding Partner, even more projects are on the horizon.

Upcoming missions are set to take place in Kenya, Argentina and Australia, focusing on restoring damaged ecosystems, protecting endangered species and working directly with local communities.

Julia Schnitger, Head of Marketing at PLAN-B NET ZERO, summed it up perfectly, saying that clean energy alone is not enough without healthy ecosystems to support a stable planet in the long term.

And that is the key takeaway here.

The future is not just about lowering emissions. It is about rebuilding the natural systems that make life possible in the first place.

Partnerships like this show that climate action and rewilding do not have to compete for attention. In reality, they work best together, and the planet desperately needs both.

https://www.planetwild.com

Rewilding Britain Passes £1 Million Milestone as Nature Recovery Projects Gather Pace

Britain’s rewilding movement has just hit a major milestone, and it’s brilliant news for wildlife, coastal communities and the fight against climate change.

Rewilding Britain has now awarded more than £1 million in grants through its Rewilding Innovation Fund, helping ambitious projects across the country bring landscapes, coastlines and marine habitats back to life.

And the latest round of funding shows one thing loud and clear: working with nature is rapidly becoming one of Britain’s best defences against climate change.

From the shores of North Wales to the windswept islands of Orkney, communities are embracing rewilding not as a luxury, but as a practical solution to rising sea levels, habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.

Wales Looks Beneath the Waves

One of the standout projects is the Menai-Connecting Coasts initiative in North Wales, led by the Zoological Society of London and Bangor University.

The project aims to restore marine habitats across the Menai Strait and Conwy Bay, with a particular focus on reviving native oyster reefs.

That may sound niche, but oysters are environmental superheroes. Healthy oyster reefs can improve water quality, boost biodiversity and create thriving underwater habitats for marine life. They can even support local fishing and tourism economies.

The project will now explore where oyster recovery could successfully take place across North Wales, laying the foundations for large-scale marine restoration.

Orkney Fights Back Against Coastal Erosion

Meanwhile, in the Orkney Isles, the Growing Sanday Land & Sea project is tackling one of the biggest threats facing island communities: coastal erosion.

Parts of Sanday sit only a few metres above sea level, and some dunes have already retreated by an astonishing 37 metres.

Instead of relying purely on expensive man-made defences, the community is turning to nature itself.

The project plans to restore kelp forests, dunes and saltmarshes to create natural coastal protection systems capable of helping shield the island from storms and erosion.

It’s a powerful example of how rewilding is no longer just about “letting nature grow wild” — it’s increasingly about helping communities survive and thrive in a changing climate.

More Than Just Wildlife

Other projects receiving funding include river restoration work along Dorset’s River Char to reduce flooding and boost biodiversity, alongside habitat recovery efforts in the Cairngorms National Park, where degraded peatlands, woodlands and freshwater systems are being revived.

And that’s the key point here: rewilding benefits people as well as nature.

Healthier ecosystems can reduce flooding, store carbon, support wildlife, improve water quality and create greener local economies. In many cases, restoring nature is proving cheaper, and far more sustainable, than constantly battling environmental damage after it happens.

Rebecca Wrigley, CEO of Rewilding Britain, said the growing demand for funding reflects the rapid rise of rewilding projects across the country, with communities increasingly choosing long-term nature-based solutions over short-term fixes.

A Wilder Future?

Rewilding Britain wants to see at least 30% of Britain’s land and seas rewilded by 2030, an ambitious target, but one that feels increasingly achievable as projects like these gain momentum.

And perhaps most encouraging of all is the fact that many of these schemes are community-led. From Welsh coastlines to Scottish islands, ordinary people are helping shape a greener, wilder and more resilient future.

Nature, it seems, may finally be getting a fighting chance.

http://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk

World Bee Day: What Happens if the Buzz Disappears?

There are some sounds that instantly say “British springtime.” 

Birds singing at dawn. Lawnmowers firing into life for the first time in months. 

Someone three gardens away attempting a barbecue in weather that is definitely not, yet, warm enough.

And then there is the gentle buzz of bees.

On World Bee Day, people around the globe are being encouraged to think more seriously about one uncomfortable question:

What happens if that buzzing stops?

Bees Are Nature’s Workforce

Bees are not simply “nice to have” insects floating around gardens looking decorative. They are one of the foundations of healthy ecosystems.

Pollination carried out by bees helps wild plants reproduce, supports biodiversity and provides food and shelter for countless other species.

Without bees, entire natural systems begin to weaken.

The scary part is that this would not happen dramatically overnight like a disaster movie. It would happen gradually. Fewer flowers. Fewer berries. Reduced crop yields. Less wildlife. Less resilience in the environment.

Nature would become quieter, duller and less productive.

Britain Has Lost Huge Amounts of Wildflower Habitat

One of the biggest problems facing pollinators in the UK is habitat loss.

Over the decades, huge areas of wildflower meadows have disappeared due to construction, intensive agriculture and changing land use. Tidy gardens, artificial lawns and paved outdoor spaces may look neat, but they often provide little for bees to feed on.

Even road verges, once packed with wildflowers, are frequently cut back before plants have a chance to bloom.

The result? Bees are often forced to travel further for food while having fewer safe nesting spaces.

Climate Change Is Creating Confusion

Bees are also struggling with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

Warmer winters can encourage bees to emerge earlier than usual, only for sudden cold snaps to wipe out flowering plants. Heavy rain and storms can also reduce the time bees are able to forage.

Nature relies heavily on timing, and climate change is throwing that timing badly out of balance.

The Good News: Small Changes Really Matter

One of the encouraging things about bee conservation is that ordinary people genuinely can help.

You do not need to own a nature reserve or become a full-time beekeeper.

Simple actions can have a surprisingly large impact:

Plant pollinator-friendly flowers

Avoid pesticides where possible

Leave some areas of grass to grow naturally

Support local conservation projects

Put water out during hot weather

Buy from environmentally responsible growers and farmers

Even window boxes and small urban gardens can become important feeding stations for pollinators.

Relearning How to Share Space with Nature

Perhaps one of the biggest lessons of World Bee Day is that modern life has become a little too obsessed with controlling nature.

We trim everything. Pave everything. Spray everything. Remove weeds. Remove insects. Remove wildness.

But bees remind us that a healthy environment is not supposed to look sterile.

A slightly messy garden buzzing with life may actually be a sign that nature is doing exactly what it should.

More Than Just Bees

Protecting bees also helps butterflies, birds, hedgehogs and countless other species that rely on thriving ecosystems.

In many ways, bees are a warning light for the wider health of the planet.

If pollinators are struggling, the environment itself is struggling.

So this World Bee Day, perhaps the most important thing we can do is not simply admire bees — but rethink the way we interact with the natural world around us.

Because once the buzz disappears, getting it back may be far harder than we imagine.

The Slow Loris Is Fighting Back Against the Illegal Pet Trade

There are some animals that instantly melt hearts online. 

The slow loris, with its enormous eyes, tiny hands and teddy-bear appearance, is one of them.

But behind many of those “cute” social media videos lies a far darker reality, illegal wildlife trafficking, cruelty and the destruction of endangered species populations.

But now Now there's finally some encouraging news.

Ahead of Endangered Species Day, Indonesian conservation organisation Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI), working in partnership with International Animal Rescue, has released a powerful new report showing determined conservation work really can make a difference.

The report, Out of the Shadows: Exposing and Opposing Indonesia’s Illegal Slow Loris Trade, reveals how more than a decade of rescue work, education campaigns, law enforcement action and public awareness efforts have helped dramatically reduce the illegal trade in slow lorises across Indonesia.

A “Cute” Animal With A Serious Problem

Slow lorises are among the most heavily trafficked primates in Southeast Asia. Their popularity exploded online after viral videos portrayed them as adorable exotic pets. Sadly, many viewers had no idea these animals are protected species or that the pet trade causes immense suffering.

Wild slow lorises are often captured illegally, transported in terrible conditions and sold through markets or social media groups. In many cases, traders even remove their teeth to stop them biting owners, leaving the animals unable to survive properly in the wild.

According to the report, researchers from YIARI identified activity in at least 469 Facebook groups linked to slow loris trading between 2012 and 2022. More than 5,000 online sale posts were recorded, with at least 4,100 slow lorises being offered for sale online.

Physical wildlife markets also remained a major problem, with surveys recording over 1,300 slow lorises being sold openly.

The Good News? Things Are Changing

What makes this report so important is that it does not simply highlight the problem, it shows that progress is possible.

Over the years, conservationists, law enforcement agencies and policymakers worked together to crack down on wildlife crime. The results have been significant:

111 wildlife crime enforcement cases linked to slow lorises were recorded

1,271 slow lorises were confiscated

Around 78% of cases resulted in arrests

More than half led to successful convictions

Over 1,300 rescued slow lorises were cared for through YIARI’s rehabilitation network

Perhaps even more encouraging is the change in public attitudes.

Back in 2015, around 90% of Instagram content featuring slow lorises presented them as pets or entertainment. By 2022, that kind of content had sharply declined, while educational and conservation-focused posts increased dramatically.

That shift matters because wildlife trafficking often survives on ignorance. The more people understand the damage caused by the exotic pet trade, the less demand there is for these animals.

Conservation Is About People Too

One of the strongest messages in the report is that wildlife conservation is not just about rescuing animals — it is about changing behaviour.

Dr Karmele Llano Sánchez explained that rescue work alone cannot solve the issue if the root causes of wildlife crime are ignored.

Instead, the success seen in Indonesia came from multiple groups working together: charities, journalists, enforcement agencies, government departments and public awareness campaigns all played a role.

Gavin Bruce said the findings prove illegal wildlife trading isn't something most people actually support, many simply did not understand the consequences before.

That's an important reminder in today’s social media age. Viral animal content may look harmless, but it can unintentionally fuel demand for endangered species.

A Rare Piece Of Environmental Good News

Stories about endangered wildlife can often feel overwhelming, but this is one of those rare examples where long-term conservation efforts are clearly working.

It shows that education, awareness and cooperation genuinely can reduce wildlife crime.

For environmental campaigners and animal lovers alike, that is something worth celebrating.

The Out of the Shadows report and companion book are available to download free online:

Indonesian version https://yiari.or.id/publikasi/keluar-dari-bayang-bayang/

English version https://yiari.or.id/publikasi/out-of-the-shadows-exposing-and-opposing-indonesias-illegal-slow-loris-trade/

To learn more about protecting slow lorises and supporting conservation efforts, visit International Animal Rescue’s Slow Loris campaign https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/animals/slow-loris