It’s not often that a giant magical tree stars in a Hollywood mega blockbuster film. And what could possibly connect it to a key story in the transformation of Northern Europe from pagan-worshippers to Christians? These are the kinds of thoughts which wash around my brain after an invigorating mental workout at the Oxford Real […]
Some thoughts on the Oxford Real Farming Conference 2019
Natural Capital debate cartoon by Rebecca Roberts @envirovisuals Last week’s 10th Oxford Real Farming Conference was bigger than ever, with over a thousand delegates attending – and nearly as many again, on the waiting list for returned tickets. The conference was spread over even more venues this year, to cater for the extra people, and […]
Looking after farmers as well as the land : Guest blog by Heidi Saxby
By milesking on August 8, 2018 in Agriculture, Guest blog, mental health benefits of nature, Public policy
I recently read a fascinating paper exploring how farmers gain personal benefits to their wellbeing, from taking part in projects which help wildlife on farms – in this case a project to help conserve rare cornfield wildflowers in North Yorkshire. I contacted the author Heidi Saxby, and this is a blog she has written on […]
Wildflowers find a new home at the Eden Project
By milesking on July 18, 2018 in Eden Project, mental health benefits of nature, National Wildflower Centre
Being in nature is good for you. All the evidence is there, it improves physical health, it lifts your mood and your spirits. Recent research, over a very long timescale, shows that the brains of older people who spend more time in nature (specifically green spaces in towns and cities) stay healthier for longer. Age-related […]
Sacred Places: for nature and people
At this time of year (and with this amazing summer weather) hardly a day goes by when I don’t think how lucky I am to live in Dorset. Just a hundred yards up the road is a fascinating and special place, right in the middle of the town. Maumbury Rings is on one level a […]
Health and Harmony: last chance to respond.
I’m posting this here as well as on my own blog, for maximum reach. It’s the People Need Nature response to Michael Gove’s consultation on the future of agriculture in the England. If you haven’t submitted a response yet, please find an hour over the long weekend to write something. Feel free to make use […]
Smartphone Technology and Nature Connection
This was just published on Miles Richardson’s Finding Nature blog. Miles has given permission for it to be reproduced here. The UK is a ‘smartphone society’ with 68% of adults owning a smartphone. Excessive use can give rise to social, behavioural and affective problems – 10% of British adolescents have been reported to exhibit problematic […]
Loss of Sheffield trees is more than just a bit of greenery gone: guest blog by Jane Wilkinson
By milesking on March 13, 2018 in birdsong, Guest blog, Jane Wilkinson, mental health benefits of nature, Public policy, Trees, Uncategorized
Many people have heard about the “battle” to prevent a Local Authority contractor cutting down some of Sheffield’s trees as part of a road maintenance contract. National newspapers, charities, celebrities, and local protesters have all decried the loss of the trees; as well as the tactics of the contractors, security staff and, lately, the police […]
Health and Harmony? Government lays out stall on future of UK agriculture after Brexit
Last week was a momentous one in the life of farmers and anyone who take an interest in our food. The National Farmers Union (NFU) took the historic step of appointing a woman to be its President – it’s symptomatic of these strange days, that the NFU, the most conservative of bodies, should appoint a […]
Guest Blog: Minds Need Natural Restoration by Jane Wilkinson
By milesking on February 21, 2018 in Guest blog, mental health benefits of nature, nature and reflection
Sitting in a bird hide calms me. Walking down “Green Lane” at my local nature reserve slackens the umbilical cord to my stress and worries for a while. Its February in the UK. Temperatures hover around freezing. It rains, snows, and the wind blows. And yet, wrapped up well, I am transported to a […]