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

Don’t Step On A Bee Day. Why Britain’s Buzziest Little Workers Deserve A Bit More Respect

Every now and then, a novelty awareness day pops up that sounds slightly silly at first glance, and then you realise there is actually a very important message behind it. 

That is certainly true of Don't Step on a Bee Day.

Yes, the title may raise a smile, but the idea behind it is serious. 

Bees are among the most important creatures on the planet, and without them our gardens, countryside, food production and ecosystems would look very different indeed.

Quite simply, bees help keep the world blooming.

Why Bees Matter So Much

Bees are vital pollinators. As they move from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen, they help plants reproduce. Many of the fruits, vegetables and crops we eat depend heavily on pollination.

Without bees, supermarket shelves would suddenly become a lot less colourful. Apples, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers and even coffee all rely, to varying degrees, on pollinators.

In the UK, bees are also essential for supporting wildflowers, hedgerows and natural habitats that countless other species depend upon.

Yet despite their importance, bee populations have faced increasing pressures over recent years due to habitat loss, pesticides, climate change and changing land use.

That is why awareness days like this matter.

The Problem With Panic

One of the biggest issues bees face is human fear.

Many people automatically panic when a bee buzzes nearby, waving their arms around wildly or trying to swat it away. In reality, most bees are not aggressive at all. They are busy gathering food and generally want to avoid trouble as much as we do.

Unlike wasps, bees are usually far more interested in flowers than fizzy drinks or sandwiches.

In fact, if a bee lands near you, the best thing to do is stay calm and let it continue on its way. Most of the time, it will lose interest within seconds.

And of course, literally not stepping on bees is also a very good idea.

Small Changes That Can Help Bees

The good news is that helping bees does not require enormous effort. Small changes can make a genuine difference.

Here are a few bee-friendly ideas:

Plant pollinator-friendly flowers such as lavender, foxgloves and wildflowers

Avoid excessive pesticide use in gardens

Leave parts of your garden slightly wild

Put out shallow water dishes during hot weather

Support local honey producers and bee-friendly farms

Allow dandelions and clover to grow naturally where possible

Even a window box filled with bee-friendly plants can become a valuable feeding stop.

The Bumblebee Bonus

Britain’s bumblebees are particularly fascinating. Their fuzzy appearance, loud buzzing and rather clumsy flying style make them oddly lovable little creatures.

There is also something reassuringly British about seeing a bumblebee slowly drifting around a summer garden while everyone debates whether it is warm enough for a barbecue yet.

A Day Worth Buzzing About

So yes, Don't Step on a Bee Day may sound light-hearted, but it carries an important reminder.

Bees are not just background noise to summer. They are essential workers quietly helping nature function every single day.

The least we can do is watch where we are putting our feet on July 10th and every other day, too!

https://beegood.co.uk

World Penguin Day: Why These Beautiful, Brilliant Birds Need Our Help

Every year on 25 April, World Penguin Day gives us the perfect excuse to celebrate one of nature’s most charming and recognisable creatures. 

Many Penguins may look like they are dressed for a formal dinner, but behind the waddles and adorable looks lies a serious environmental story.

For That’s Green, World Penguin Day is not just about cute photos and novelty socks featuring emperor penguins. 

It is about understanding why these remarkable birds matter and why protecting them matters even more.

Penguins are some of the most specialised birds on Earth. Found mainly in the Southern Hemisphere, they have evolved to thrive in some of the harshest environments imaginable, from the icy extremes of Antarctica to the rocky coasts of South Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Species such as the Emperor Penguin and the Adélie Penguin depend heavily on stable sea ice for breeding and feeding. Others, like the African Penguin, face pressure from warming oceans, overfishing, and habitat destruction.

Climate change is one of the biggest threats penguins face. Rising global temperatures are melting Antarctic ice, disrupting breeding colonies, and altering the delicate marine food chains penguins rely on. If krill populations decline because of warming seas and changing ice patterns, entire penguin colonies can struggle to survive.

Plastic pollution is another major issue. Marine debris can entangle penguins or be mistaken for food. Oil spills also remain a serious risk, especially for coastal species. Even tourism, when poorly managed, can disturb nesting sites and fragile habitats.

The World Wildlife Fund and groups such as BirdLife International continue to work on penguin conservation, habitat protection, and marine preservation. But conservation cannot rely on charities alone.

Small actions matter.

Choosing sustainable seafood helps protect marine ecosystems. Reducing plastic use keeps oceans cleaner. Supporting reputable wildlife charities helps fund rescue and conservation work. Even simply learning more and raising awareness can make a difference.

World Penguin Day also reminds us that wildlife conservation is often connected to much bigger global choices. Cleaner energy, lower emissions, and stronger protection for our oceans all help species far beyond our own back gardens.

Penguins may live thousands of miles away from most of us in the UK, but their future is tied to the same planet we all share.

So yes, enjoy the penguin documentaries, the penguin memes, and perhaps even the penguin-themed mug. But also take a moment to think about what these extraordinary birds are telling us.

When penguins struggle, it is often a warning that the wider planet is struggling too.

And that is something we should all be paying attention to.

https://support.wwf.org.uk/adopt-a-penguin

#WorldPenguinDay 

Why the Tesla, Inc. Powerwall Is Changing the Way We Think About Home Energy

For years, solar panels have been seen as the poster child of greener living.

But there has always been one obvious problem: what happens when the sun goes down?

That's where the Tesla, Inc. Powerwall steps in.

It's not a futuristic gadget for tech enthusiasts with too much disposable income. It's a practical home battery designed to store electricity generated by solar panels, or even cheaper off-peak electricity from the grid,. so you can use it later when you actually need it.

In simple terms, it helps your home become smarter, greener and a lot less dependent on the grid.

Tesla describes Powerwall as a compact home battery that stores energy generated by solar or from the grid, allowing homeowners to use that power day and night, including during outages. It also offers customisable power modes for backup protection and electricity bill savings.

That matters more than ever in the UK, where energy prices remain unpredictable and more households are looking for ways to cut long-term costs rather than simply complain about the latest bill over a cup of tea.

Powerwall can also provide backup during power cuts. Unlike noisy generators that sound like someone has started a lawnmower indoors, it switches automatically to stored energy when the grid goes down. 

Tesla says severe weather preparation features can even automatically charge the battery when outages are forecast.

The current system offers 13.5 kWh of energy capacity, enough to make a meaningful difference for many households, especially when paired with solar panels.

Of course, it's not cheap. Installation costs can be significant, and it works best when properly matched to your home’s energy use. It is not a magic money-printing box attached to your wall.

But for households serious about reducing carbon emissions, improving energy resilience and making better use of renewable power, it is a strong option worth exploring.

The real appeal of Powerwall is not just the sleek design or the famous badge on the front. It is the idea of energy independence.

Use less. Waste less. Panic less when the lights flicker.

That feels very green indeed.

Because the future of sustainability is not just generating clean power, it's being smart enough to keep it for when you need it.

https://www.tesla.com/en_gb/powerwall

SocialBox.Biz Champions “Reuse Before IT Disposal” for Earth Day 2026

In celebration of Earth Day 2026, SocialBox.Biz has announced a strategic call to London businesses to rethink their computer hardware life-cycle strategies.

This is the core message of the "Call SocialBox.Biz First" initiative. 

By contacting SocialBox.Biz first, companies ensure their functional IT equipment goes towards more high-impact reuse with SocialBoxBiz.

The initiative highlights a shift from traditional computer recycling to a "reuse-first" model with SocialBoxBiz, emphasising the dual benefits of environmental sustainability and social equity such as older adults supported by Age UKs in London.

A recently published case study by Age UK Islington (view here: https://shorturl.at/iAKxI) showcases the tangible impact of this collaboration.

 By diverting functional IT hardware from recycling scrap heaps, SocialBox.Biz provides repurposed laptops and tablets to disadvantaged individuals, including older adults who rely on computer access for essential services and social connection.

"With the growing concern over the environmental impact of decommissioned technology, this partnership serves as a timely call to action," a spokesperson for SocialBox.Biz told That's Green.

"By choosing to donate and reuse before they recycle, London companies can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while helping provide computer access to those who can not afford computer hardware or software in our local communities."

Key highlights of the Earth Day 2026 campaign include:

Environmental Protection: Promoting reuse as a superior alternative to recycling, saving an average of 316kg of CO2 per laptop.

Social Empowerment: Providing technology to disadvantaged groups and older adults.

Corporate Responsibility: Helping London firms meet impact targets through secure, data-wiped hardware reuse and donations.

As Earth Day 2026 approaches, SocialBox.Biz are calling on business leaders to pledge their old, functional IT equipment to this cause.To learn more about the IT reuse program or to arrange a collection, please visit https://www.socialbox.biz/.