Press releases 2010
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What a difference a year makes - Access to Nature helps recovery
(21 December 2010) New Year is all about new starts and one group in Essex is celebrating a new outlook for some recovering alcohol and drug abusers.
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Pink footed geese family day Saturday 8 January
(15 December 2010)A family fun day of face painting, craft activities, informative talks and an opportunity to bid farewell before the tens of thousands of pink footed geese leave Norfolk after wintering here has been rescheduled for Saturday 8 January 12-4pm.
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Join us to watch birds come home to roost at Walberswick
(14 December 2010) Now that starlings from as far away as Scandinavia and Russia have boosted the resident Walberswick flock it is a good time to visit one of England’s biggest reedbeds at Suffolk Coast (Walberswick) National Nature Reserve in Suffolk to see fantastic aerial displays of shimmering starlings.
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Rare moth spreads its wings to new sites
(14 December 2010) Research has shown that Colchester Zoo’s breeding programme for one of Britain’s rarest moths is proving successful on two sites where the Fisher’s Estuarine has been introduced into the wild.
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Spare a thought for wildlife this festive season
(13 December 2010) As the big freeze looks set to continue into December, one of East Anglia’s leading environment experts is calling for gardeners across the region to spare a thought for wildlife this festive season.
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Meandering along the River Wensum
(1 December 2010) Natural England has helped the Environment Agency develop a strategy to put shape back into a Norfolk river.
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Find out more about Environmental Stewardship in the East of England
(30 November 2010) Environment specialists will be touring the East of England to provide practical advice on how to manage land in an environmentally friendly way.
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Milton Keynes South Midlands green design guide gets national award
(29 November 2010) A guide detailing how to transform urban life by including green spaces, the first of its kind in the UK, has scooped a national award.
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Come and see the pink footed geese spectacular
(26 November 2010) To celebrate one of the most spectacular wildlife sights in Britain taking place in Norfolk, Natural England have organised a family activity day on Saturday 4 December.
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Hertfordshire farmer scoops BBC Farmer of the Year award
(25 November 2010) Hertfordshire farm manager Jonathan Birchall has been named BBC Farmer of the Year. He was presented with the award at the BBC Good Food Show on Wednesday (24 November) at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
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Willie Thorne set to learn more about wildlife
(19 November 2010) Snooker star Willie Thorne will be in Peterborough next month to help wildlife charity Froglife launch ‘Wildlife Ambassadors’, a new scheme to help adults and teenagers looking to get into work, education or training.
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Environment Minister visits the Great Fen
(10 November 2010) Environment Minister Richard Benyon paid a visit to the Great Fen today to discuss some of the issues and challenges involved in restoring 3,700ha of wetland.
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(9 November 2010) Cambridgeshire shoppers swapped supermarket aisles and queues for footpaths and fresh air at the weekend and demonstrated how easy it is to give your health a boost.
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Growing support across the East of England for Farm Environment Campaign
(4 November 2010) A major campaign to protect and enhance the countryside of the eastern region is seeing encouraging results as it celebrates its first birthday.
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Barberry carpet moth takes a beating
(28 October 2010) Conservationists have finally given up hope of the rare barberry carpet moth returning to its last known foothold in Suffolk.
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Web of spider images released to celebrate Halloween
(27 October 2010) Natural England has released some ‘spook-tacular’ images of rarely spotted spiders in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire just in time for Halloween.
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Winters all wrapped up at Holkham National Nature Reserve
(25 October 2010) It’s time to get your winter woollies ready because Holkham National Nature Reserve (NNR) is ready to launch its winter programme of activities. Things kick-off 27 October during one of the reserve’s monthly guided walks when visitors will have the chance to find out about Norfolk’s pink footed geese.
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UK’s largest ancient flood- meadow saved
(19 October 2010) An internationally important wildlife site in Cambridgeshire is set to return to its former glory thanks to Natural England and the Environment Agency.
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Essex school top of the class for wildlife
(11 October 2010) Pupils in Essex who created a wildlife haven for bumble bees, butterflies and birds have won the regional title of ‘School Garden of the Year’ in Natural England’s Big Wildlife Garden competition.
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Suffolk farmers win Countryside Farmer of the Year at the ‘Oscars’ of the farming industry
(8 October 2010) Cousins Brian and Patrick Barker from Suffolk have scooped the prestigious Countryside Farmer of the Year Award. They were presented with their award by Natural England’s Chair Poul Christensen at the Farmers Weekly Awards 2010 during a glittering awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House hotel last night (7 October).
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Norwich man amongst winners announced for British Wildlife Photography Awards 2010
(7 October 2010) A celebration of British wildlife during International Year of Biodiversity 2010 A showcase of talented photographers of all ages
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Bag it and bin it please - says Natural England
(22 September 2010) Despite being voted Best Beach in Britain two years in a row, and this year welcoming breeding spoonbills, volunteers still managed to collect 25 sacks of rubbish on Holkham National Nature Reserve on Saturday (19 September 2010).
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Rare moths living the high life in Norfolk’s protected tree-tops
(16 September 2010)Threatened moth species turn up in woodland canopy survey.
Only fourth recorded Norfolk sighting for ginger-haired moth.
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Rare moths living the high life in Cambridgeshire’s protected tree-tops
(16 September 2010) Threatened moth species turn up in woodland canopy survey
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Norfolk’s nature takes centre stage
(14 September 2010) Children’s puppets created from environmentally-friendly natural materials took centre stage to mark the end of a series of summer of events at Holkham National Nature Reserve (NNR).
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Protecting Bedfordshire’s wildlife beauty spots
(9 September 2010) Wildlife conservationists would like to raise awareness of the damage off-road activity causes to protected wildlife sites in Bedfordshire as many off-road vehicle users may not be aware of what is beneath their wheels.
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Norfolk called to join the army of volunteers turning the tide on litter
(2 September 2010) Natural England are calling for volunteers to help clean up the award-winning Holkham beach on 19 September as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS’s) annual Beachwatch Big Weekend.
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In focus for photographic adventure
(17 August 2010) A group of 16 intrepid explorers got into focus and took part in a photographic adventure tour in a picturesque Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) in Suffolk.
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Environmental Stewardship tour launches in Norfolk and Hertfordshire
(16 August 2010) Natural England's Farm Advice Unit will be touring the East of England with a series of free events offering land managers to chance to view first-hand the benefits of Environmental Stewardship and speak to advisors and farmers about the scheme.
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Guests check-in to Cambridgeshire’s newest hotel
(13 August 2010) Making sure your guests feel at home and catering to their needs is key to running any successful hotel - even when your guests are of the feathered variety.
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Clean up the beach - shore thing!
(4 August 2010) Volunteers who took part in a beach litter survey on an award winning beach discovered the ‘art of rubbish’ when they turned their unusual findings into works of art.
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Starlets get new home on north Norfolk coast
(31 July 2010) The nationally protected starlet sea anemone population at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s (NWT’s) Cley Marshes were relocated earlier this month by Natural England to another part of the coastal nature reserve, in a bid to protect it from potential local extinctions.
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Further protection for an important Ice Age site in Cambridge
(26 July 2010) Natural England has extended protection to nationally important geological deposits located next to the Traveller’s Rest Pit Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Cambridge.
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Flowers, fauna, and frogs as Flegg High School gets back to nature
(23 July 2010) More than 100 students from Flegg High School, Norfolk, did something different with their last week of term and got back in touch with nature by taking part in pond dipping and other outdoor activities as part of the first ‘Do something different with your school’ day.
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Pupils develop an interest in wildlife and photography at Dersingham NNR
(20 July 2010) The three winners - all from St George’s Junior School - will be presented with their prizes at assembly in the ‘The Transition from Spring to Summer’, run by Natural England and organised by Nigel Downer, a lecturer in photography.
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Ipswich nature project receives £350,000 funding boost
(16 July 2010) More than 100 budding bug hunters and photographers gathered in Ipswich yesterday (July 15) to celebrate the launch of Ipswich Access to Nature, an exciting new project which aims to reconnect the people of Ipswich to the natural world on their doorstep.
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Free family activity day at Peterborough nature reserve
(9 July 2010) Families from across Peterborough are invited to Natural England’s ‘Dragonfly Day’, a free family activity day at Castor Hanglands National Nature Reserve (NNR), a local dragonfly hot spot, this Sunday (July 11).
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Essex school children go wild in the garden
(30 June 2010) The creation of a wildlife haven at an Essex school has earned it a top wildlife gardening award.
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Langley Abbey opens to the public for the first time since 1197
(8 June 2010) June saw Langley Abbey on the Norfolk Broads’ beautiful Wherryman’s Way open to the public for the first time since it was built in 1197
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Night time magic at Cambridgeshire nature reserve
(25 June 2010) Would you like the opportunity to see some of nature’s brightest and unique creatures? If so, Natural England invite you to join their free guided glow worm walk at a wildlife hot spot located just seven miles north west of Peterborough.
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Farmers urged to renew ELS agreements to avoid missing out
(24 June 2010) Natural England is urging farmers with expiring Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) agreements to renew as soon as possible in order to avoid a gap between agreements. Agreement holders receive on average £4,000 a year through ELS schemes – more than £330 a month – and those who submit late applications are likely to suffer a gap in their ELS income.
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Schools put Dersingham Bog into focus
(21 June 2010) Children from St. George’s Junior School, Dersingham enjoyed an exciting afternoon at the Dersingham Bog National Nature Reserve, with Jim Allitt from Natural England and Nigel Downer, professional freelance photographer and lecturer.
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Rare Seabirds Protected By Co-operative Working
(16 June 2010) Almost 100 pairs of a rare seabird, the little tern, nesting on a Suffolk beach face a brighter future thanks to a partnership of conservation organisations.
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1,500 turn out for open farm day
(14 June 2010) Shotford Hall Farm in Harleston opened the farm gates to the general public on 13th June for Open Farm Sunday organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) and sponsored by Natural England.
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2,000 flock to farms on open day
(14 June 2010) College Farm in Duxford and Fenrose Farm in Isleham threw open the gates to the general public on 13th June for Open Farm Sunday.
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Record numbers flock to the farm
(14 June 2010) Award winning Pilkington Farm in Offley opened the farm gates to the general public on 13th June for Open Farm Sunday organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) and sponsored by Natural England.
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Larry, Bob and Bertie big favourites at open farm day
(14 June 2010) Woodfield Farm in Gressenhall, near Dereham opened the farm gates to the general public on 13th June for Open Farm Sunday organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) and sponsored by Natural England.
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Norfolk volunteers go back to nature at Holkham National Nature Reserve
(11 June 2010) To celebrate National Volunteers Week (June 1 to 7) Natural England invited more than 20 Norfolk walk leaders to the coast to learn about volunteering at Holkham National Nature Reserve (NNR).
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New green design guide to add value to development
(10 June 2010) A new practical design guide to ‘green’ new developments has been published, following close work between planners, developers and the environment sector in the Milton Keynes South Midlands Growth Area.
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Langley Abbey opens to the public for the first time since 1197
(8 June 2010) June saw Langley Abbey on the Norfolk Broads’ beautiful Wherryman’s Way open to the public for the first time since it was built in 1197
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Guided orchid walk at Cambridgeshire beauty spot
(28 May 2010) A free guided walk giving the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful wildflowers that the region has to offer will take place at one of Natural England’s Nature Reserves located just seven miles north west of Peterborough.
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Norfolk pupils on track for lessons in the great outdoors
(26 May 2010) Pupils from a Norfolk school left their class room behind and headed for the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail for an interactive lesson in live data collection, thanks to a scheme funded by Natural England.
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Volunteers on the beach to help rare birds
(13 May 2010) Volunteers and staff from the RSPB will be busy on the beach this week as they prepare for the return of one of Britain’s rarest sea birds to its breeding colony at Great Yarmouth.
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Pupils bring Cavenham Heath into focus
(12 May 2010) Pupils of Tuddenham School took a guided tour of Cavenham Heath recently when they learnt about the rare stone curlew and why grazing sheep and rabbits is important for the success of Britain’s wild bird populations.
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Spring is in the air at Holkham National Nature Reserve
(11 May 2010) Spring migrants are beginning to return to Holkham National Nature Reserve after what seemed like an eternal winter.
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Hertfordshire conservation efforts help endangered UK mammals featured on stamps
(15 April 2010) Conservation and wildlife rescue efforts in Hertfordshire are helping several of the animals featured on Royal Mail’s set of ten Mammals stamps issued on 13 April including otters, water vole, dormouse, hedgehogs, polecats and bats.
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Saved! Last lobster joins crustacea crawl
(7 April 2010) Marine advisors for Natural England dropped into Mundesley First School on Monday for a talk on England’s sea and marine life and challenged the pupils to exercise their artistic talents and decorate a lobster for the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster Festival.
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Outdoor education packs a punch in Suffolk
(29 March 2010) The Suffolk Punch was the centre of attention for pupils from Culloden Primary School, London last Thursday 25 March.
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New research: discovering big outdoors boosts mental health
(26 March 2010) “Connecting with nature and physical activity are powerful and proven tools in the fight against mental health problems”, says Paul Lefever, project manager of Discovery Quest; an initiative of Norfolk based mental health charity Julian Housing Support Trust.
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National Environment Award for Trinity Broads
(25 March 2010) Fifteen years of hard work to transform part of the Broads has been rewarded with a prestigious national environment award.
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Brighter future for birds in Suffolk
(24 March 2010) Brights Farm in Lavenham, Suffolk saw more than 100 yellowhammers and flocks of 30 linnets descend this winter, birds normally seen in much smaller numbers since their decline in the 1970’s.
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Two new weirs on River Lark to boost wetland wildlife
(22 March 2010)Two new weirs have been built on both sides of the River Lark just above Temple Bridge on the edge of Cavenham Heath National Nature reserve and a number of water level structures and an earth embankment.
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For peat’s sake: Locking carbon in the soil could be the key to slowing climate change
(17 March 2010) The vital role of England’s peatlands in combating climate change has been emphasised today as a new Natural England report highlights that almost three quarters of the deep peat area in England is now damaged, degraded or inappropriately managed.
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Wildlife Challenge: England's lost and threatened species (Cambs)
(11 March 2010)• First ever audit of England’s lost and declining native species
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough home to some of England’s most threatened plants and animals
• Corncrake and a rare aquatic plant fight for survival on our doorstep
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Wildlife Challenge: England's lost and threatened species (Suffolk)
(11 March 2010)• First ever audit of England’s lost and declining native species
• Suffolk is home to some of England’s most threatened plants and animals
• Silver studded blue butterfly (pictured) and wild flowers fight for survival on our doorstep
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Wildlife Challenge: England's lost and threatened species (Essex)
(11 March 2010)• First ever audit of England’s lost and declining native species
• Essex is home to some of England’s most threatened plants and animals
• Dainty damselfly lost forever and sea hog’s fennel fights for survival
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Wildlife Challenge: England's lost and threatened species (Norfolk)
(11 March 2010)• First ever audit of England’s lost and declining native species
• Norfolk home to some of England’s most threatened plants and animals
• Rare fern and waterbirds fight for survival on our doorstep
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Construction company fined for damaging resting place of newts
(8 March 2010)On 8 March 2010 at Lowestoft Magistrates Court, Barnes Construction Limited of Ransomes Europark, Ipswich, was fined £700 with £200 costs and a victim surcharge of £15 after pleading guilty to damaging or destroying a resting place of great crested newts at the construction site for a new Travelodge in Leisureway, Lowestoft.
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Red Lodge Heath undergoes major clean up
(3 March 2010) Local people and volunteers are gathering in earnest this Saturday, 6th March, for a major clean-up operation to protect the plants and animals of Red Lodge Heath.
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(24 February 2010) The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Natural England welcomed the launch yesterday (23 February) of the Fishing Coalition for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
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Save Our Soils! Act now to protect your soils from the changing climate
(16 February 2010) Natural England is bringing together farmers, land managers and scientists in the East of England to discuss and explore the potential effects of extreme weather on our soils and its capabilities for future production.
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Workshops to encourage Entry Level Stewardship Applications
(5 February 2010) Entry Level Stewardship is a 5 year funding scheme that famers can apply for in exchange for more biodiversity on their farms, such as pollen and nectar rich wild flower areas beside fields for bees and butterflies, and buffer strips to protect hedgerows and provide shelter for our native birds.
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Green belts: more than lines on a map
(28 January 2010) The first major survey of the environmental state of Green Belt land and the benefits it provides for people and wildlife is published today in Green Belts: a Greener Future - a joint report produced by Natural England and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).
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ELS applications resume after improvements are completed ahead of schedule
(26 January 2010) Natural England is pleased to announce that farmers can now resume applying to join Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) after the applications system was successfully upgraded ahead of schedule.
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Brettenham Heath reveals its majesty
(21 January 2010) Mike Taylor and Bill Nickson had many reasons to cheer this Christmas and New Year as their guided walk on 28th December over Brettenham Heath provided one of the best days for seeing its amazing wildlife.
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Broad success for visitor access
(18 January 2010) Research has shown that disabled people, minority groups, young people and those who live in inner city areas are less likely to access the natural environment. The reasons vary, but most put it down to transport, finances and a lack of habit.
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School children go wild at Dersingham Bog
(12 January 2010) Primary school pupils from West Norfolk recently took part in a pilot project aimed at getting school children more involved in the natural environment by visiting their local nature reserve.
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Putting the record straight on sea eagles
(6 January 2010) The project to assess the feasibility of re-introducing white-tailed (sea) eagles to Suffolk has attracted considerable publicity in recent weeks and with various claims being made about the status of the project it is worth clarifying a range of points about the work that is underway.
