Energy & Environment

Tree planting grows in England

Today we are looking at the latest government tree planting statistics published by the Forestry Commission.

Updated: Thu Jun 15 2023

Working to improve Norfolk's chalk streams

Today, as the Chalk Stream Restoration Strategy (CSRS) Implementation Plan, is officially launched, our Norfolk catchment coordinator Amy Prendergast tells us about some partnership projects she has worked on to help improve chalk streams in Norfolk. As a catchment coordinator ...

Updated: Thu Jun 15 2023

One year into fisheries management measures for English offshore MPAs

On 13 June 2022, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) introduced new byelaws to protect four offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) from damaging fishing activity. This marked a significant step in our work to assess and appropriately manage fishing activities to ...

Updated: Tue Jun 13 2023

Coverage on dangerous dogs

There has been continued coverage on dangerous dogs, including in The Mirror as part of their Time for Action on Dangerous Dogs campaign. The campaign calls for a 'Jack Lis Law', named in honour of the 10-year-old tragically killed by a dog.

Updated: Mon Jun 12 2023

Pollution prevention visit Northamptonshire

In my role as an Environment Officer in the Lincolnshire land and water team I cover a range of topics from abstraction licenses to inspecting sewage treatment works and attending incidents.

Updated: Mon Jun 12 2023

Celebrating World Ocean Day 2023: Building Partnerships for Planet Ocean

World Ocean Day is an annual event celebrated on 08 June that not only serves as a day of observance but also fosters collaboration and encourages year-round conservation action. This global celebration unites individuals and organisations from around the world, ...

Updated: Thu Jun 08 2023

How we're increasing productivity and enhancing nature on our farm

In the latest in our series of films from the Lake District, we visit Miller Farming in Penruddock. Upland farmers, Garry and Hazel Miller, have sheep, cows, and free-range hens. They talk about how they've increased productivity and enhanced nature at the same time.

Updated: Wed Jun 07 2023

Forestry Apprenticeship: becoming a 'tree family'

Gareth is one of 15 people who joined us in September 2022 as a Development Woodland Officer studying the Forestry Apprenticeship. Here he reflects on his first nine months with the Forestry Commission.

Updated: Tue Jun 06 2023

Tackling the metal pollution legacy of Britain's mining history

Metal mines played a major part in Britain's history, but these abandoned mines are the largest source of metals to our rivers and seas which can seriously harm aquatic life such as fish and river-flies. Hugh Potter, the Environment Agency's Water and Abandoned Metal Mines lead, looks at the action being taken to address the legacy.

Updated: Tue Jun 06 2023

Coverage on Hedgerows

We recognise hedgerows are vital elements of our landscapes, upholding the distinct character of the countryside, improving local air quality, and serving as crucial wildlife habitats. This is why we will be consulting shortly on how we can best continue to support and enable farmers to conserve hedgerows after phasing out the Common Agricultural Policy.

Updated: Fri Jun 02 2023

A council view of the fly tipping curse

Fly tipping is more than a nuisance. It isn't just 'a bit of dumped waste' for the local council to clear. It's an Environmental Health Officer sent to investigate. It's a Waste Operative (or two) the council can ill-afford to ...

Updated: Wed May 31 2023

Coverage of River Wye roundtable meeting

There has been coverage of a roundtable meeting hosted by the Environment Secretary, which discussed actions to restore the River Wye, as well as an update to the river's status by Natural England.

Updated: Wed May 31 2023

Everything you need to know about duckweed on the River Witham

Periods of hot and dry weather can be busy times for the Environment Agency as we work to protect not just our water resources; but our precious environment and the wildlife that depends on it. During these conditions we receive a lot of calls about duckweed in Lincolnshire, particularly on the River Witham. This blog explains what duckweed is, why it is a problem in dry weather and the challenges of managing it.

Updated: Wed May 31 2023

Assessing the health of the River Wye and its catchment

By Emma Johnson, Area Manager - West Midlands Team The Wye Valley is an iconic landscape, hugely important for biodiversity due to the wide range of rare river wildlife, loved by people and important for farming. It's because it's so ...

Updated: Tue May 30 2023

Improving and extending our offer for upland farmers

It is our mission to create an offer that is workable for every farmer and farm type in England. Upland farmers are a crucial part of our rural communities, economies and landscapes - they are central to the production of high-quality food and other goods. In this post, we set out the offer for upland farmers and share the work we are doing to make sure that it is accessible, broad and rewarding, and that it helps us to achieve our ambitions for food production, productivity and the environment.

Updated: Tue May 30 2023

Delivering on Animal Welfare

There has been widespread online coverage following the Government's update in the House yesterday on the status of the Kept Animals Bill.

Updated: Sat May 27 2023