Andy McLaughlin
@andymcwild.bsky.social
CEO at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, growing hope for a wilder future. Trustee at Forest of Avon Trust. Views my own etc.
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
I've interviewed Tony Juniper, Natural England chair. He was necessarily diplomatic about the planning bill. I only hope central govt listens to his expert advice! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Natural England chair rejects ministers’ claim that nature blocks development
Exclusive: Tony Juniper, who will oversee nature restoration fund, says claims ‘not fully backed by evidence’
www.theguardian.com
June 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I've interviewed Tony Juniper, Natural England chair. He was necessarily diplomatic about the planning bill. I only hope central govt listens to his expert advice! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
Keir Starmer needs to listen not to housebuilders but nightingales! More great reporting by my colleague Helena Horton. Madness that the best place in Britain for this endangered bird is owned by a housing quango. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘All the birdsong in the world in one sound’: England’s nightingale haven at risk from planning bill
Conservationists warn that losing Lodge Hill in Kent to housing could be a catastrophe for one of Britain’s most at-risk birds
www.theguardian.com
June 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Keir Starmer needs to listen not to housebuilders but nightingales! More great reporting by my colleague Helena Horton. Madness that the best place in Britain for this endangered bird is owned by a housing quango. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
5,000 English nature sites at risk under Labour’s planning proposals www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Revealed: 5,000 English nature sites at risk under Labour’s planning proposals
Exclusive: Planning bill includes mechanism for developers to ‘pay to pollute’ valuable ecosystems, experts warn
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
5,000 English nature sites at risk under Labour’s planning proposals www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Tune in to the One Show at 7pm tonight to hear about @gloswildlife.bsky.social work helping adders recover in the Cotswolds. 🐍👇
May 28, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Tune in to the One Show at 7pm tonight to hear about @gloswildlife.bsky.social work helping adders recover in the Cotswolds. 🐍👇
@gloswildlife.bsky.social is joining calls urging the Labour Government to scrap the ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Wildlife charities urge Labour to scrap ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill
Conservationists say part of bill allowing developers to avoid environmental laws by paying into nature fund should be ditched
www.theguardian.com
May 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
@gloswildlife.bsky.social is joining calls urging the Labour Government to scrap the ‘licence to kill nature’ in planning bill www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
So Angela Rayner just issued a judgement based on the new Planning Policy Guidance about the greenbelt - and it's a sign of seismic change to come in the countryside.
So there used to be 5 purposes to the greenbelt. But these were recently been reduced by Labour to three.
1/?
So there used to be 5 purposes to the greenbelt. But these were recently been reduced by Labour to three.
1/?
May 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
So Angela Rayner just issued a judgement based on the new Planning Policy Guidance about the greenbelt - and it's a sign of seismic change to come in the countryside.
So there used to be 5 purposes to the greenbelt. But these were recently been reduced by Labour to three.
1/?
So there used to be 5 purposes to the greenbelt. But these were recently been reduced by Labour to three.
1/?
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill must: ✅ Avoid harm ✅ Help nature before damage ✅ Use science & meet legal tests ✅ Protect chalk streams & Wildbelt sites This protects nature and allows homes to be built where needed. 🗣️ Have your say: wtru.st/planning-bill
Planning and Infrastructure Bill | The Wildlife Trusts
A Wilder Future helps everyone benefit from and enjoy wildlife near them. However, parts of the UK Government's new Planning and Infrastructure Bill currently threaten nature's recovery in England. Th...
wtru.st
May 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill must: ✅ Avoid harm ✅ Help nature before damage ✅ Use science & meet legal tests ✅ Protect chalk streams & Wildbelt sites This protects nature and allows homes to be built where needed. 🗣️ Have your say: wtru.st/planning-bill
Alarming’ bug splat decline on UK cars raises fears for flying insect numbers www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Alarming’ bug splat decline on UK cars raises fears for flying insect numbers
Annual survey of numberplates from more than 25,000 journeys reveals 63% fall in squashed bugs since 2021
www.theguardian.com
April 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Alarming’ bug splat decline on UK cars raises fears for flying insect numbers www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
Labour’s great nature sellout is the worst attack on England’s ecosystems I’ve seen in my lifetime | George Monbiot
Labour’s great nature sellout is the worst attack on England’s ecosystems I’ve seen in my lifetime | George Monbiot
The horrifying planning bill, which rips up environmental protections, was drafted with CEOs in mind. We know because Keir Starmer told us, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Labour’s great nature sellout is the worst attack on England’s ecosystems I’ve seen in my lifetime | George Monbiot
Is this river alive? @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social on the lives, deaths and rights of our rivers www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Is this river alive? Robert Macfarlane on the lives, deaths and rights of our rivers
As pollution levels hit record highs and fresh water becomes ‘the new oil’, is it time to radically reimagine our relationship to the natural world?
www.theguardian.com
April 26, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Is this river alive? @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social on the lives, deaths and rights of our rivers www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
@gloswildlife.bsky.social President Dame Fiona Reynolds on the nature of our economy👇
Dame Fiona Reynolds shares her insights from serving on the Advisory Panel for the Dasgupta Review.
'We've become used to nature's decline. Yet, climate operates within nature, these aren't separate things. It is the system in which climate change is happening.'
'We've become used to nature's decline. Yet, climate operates within nature, these aren't separate things. It is the system in which climate change is happening.'
April 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
@gloswildlife.bsky.social President Dame Fiona Reynolds on the nature of our economy👇
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
Without big changes, the Government’s Planning Bill could spell disaster for nature 🥀
The Gov has promised a win-win for building & nature, but right now the Bill doesn't deliver🏡
@richardbenwell.bsky.social explains what the Gov needs to do to make the Bill work for people and nature 👇
The Gov has promised a win-win for building & nature, but right now the Bill doesn't deliver🏡
@richardbenwell.bsky.social explains what the Gov needs to do to make the Bill work for people and nature 👇
April 9, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Without big changes, the Government’s Planning Bill could spell disaster for nature 🥀
The Gov has promised a win-win for building & nature, but right now the Bill doesn't deliver🏡
@richardbenwell.bsky.social explains what the Gov needs to do to make the Bill work for people and nature 👇
The Gov has promised a win-win for building & nature, but right now the Bill doesn't deliver🏡
@richardbenwell.bsky.social explains what the Gov needs to do to make the Bill work for people and nature 👇
Planning bill ‘throws environmental protection to the wind’, say UK nature chiefs www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Planning bill ‘throws environmental protection to the wind’, say UK nature chiefs
Heads of 32 charities warn proposals could push species towards extinction and lead to irreversible habitat loss
www.theguardian.com
April 9, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Planning bill ‘throws environmental protection to the wind’, say UK nature chiefs www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
So @wildjustice.bsky.social is too edgy for @privateeyenews.bsky.social ! We're fans because the magazine speaks truth to power . That's what WJ tries to do too . We were surprised when PE said that it wouldn't run our second and third adverts , especially as they gave no reason for this .
April 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
So @wildjustice.bsky.social is too edgy for @privateeyenews.bsky.social ! We're fans because the magazine speaks truth to power . That's what WJ tries to do too . We were surprised when PE said that it wouldn't run our second and third adverts , especially as they gave no reason for this .
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
We’ve talked a lot about the bat #tunnel recently. This is because we are having to push back against inaccurate rhetoric in speeches and the media. It is being used to scapegoat #bats. Or #scapebat as a colleague suggested.🦇 Read on for some facts @cieem.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social
🦇Throwing bats under the train: HS2’s bat tunnel and the dangerous spin behind deregulation. Read our latest news piece here: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/04...
Throwing bats under the train: HS2’s bat tunnel and the dangerous spin behind deregulation - News - Bat Conservation Trust
HS2's so-called bat tunnel has become a political scapegoat, used to justify rolling back environmental protections. But the real story is very different. This page breaks down what the bat tunnel is,...
www.bats.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
We’ve talked a lot about the bat #tunnel recently. This is because we are having to push back against inaccurate rhetoric in speeches and the media. It is being used to scapegoat #bats. Or #scapebat as a colleague suggested.🦇 Read on for some facts @cieem.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
Where did all the butterflies go? 🚨🦋
Newly released data has revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK, and more than half of butterfly species are now in long-term decline.
We are in a #ButterflyEmergency.
Newly released data has revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK, and more than half of butterfly species are now in long-term decline.
We are in a #ButterflyEmergency.
April 2, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Where did all the butterflies go? 🚨🦋
Newly released data has revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK, and more than half of butterfly species are now in long-term decline.
We are in a #ButterflyEmergency.
Newly released data has revealed that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK, and more than half of butterfly species are now in long-term decline.
We are in a #ButterflyEmergency.
“The promise of a new forest in the west of England is a hopeful one” by @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on new forests: a vision born in the Midlands is worth imitating | Editorial
Editorial: If a tree-planting scheme in western England can match the first national forest, people as well as wildlife will benefit
www.theguardian.com
March 31, 2025 at 10:57 AM
“The promise of a new forest in the west of England is a hopeful one” by @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
In the 1960s Switzerland had some of Europe's filthiest waterbodies.
Now its cities boast near-pristine rivers & lakes: "We are united by a love of water".
Lessons to learn here, about building emotional connection to water as well as infrastructure investment.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Now its cities boast near-pristine rivers & lakes: "We are united by a love of water".
Lessons to learn here, about building emotional connection to water as well as infrastructure investment.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
From sewage and scum to swimming in ‘blue gold’: how Switzerland transformed its rivers
In the 1960s, the Swiss had some of the dirtiest water in Europe. Now, their cities boast pristine rivers and lakes – and other countries are looking to follow their lead
www.theguardian.com
March 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
In the 1960s Switzerland had some of Europe's filthiest waterbodies.
Now its cities boast near-pristine rivers & lakes: "We are united by a love of water".
Lessons to learn here, about building emotional connection to water as well as infrastructure investment.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Now its cities boast near-pristine rivers & lakes: "We are united by a love of water".
Lessons to learn here, about building emotional connection to water as well as infrastructure investment.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK charities urge ministers to stop scapegoating nature for planning failures www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK charities urge ministers to stop scapegoating nature for planning failures
Exclusive: RSPB and National Trust among groups saying rhetoric from Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer at odds with public sentiment
www.theguardian.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
UK charities urge ministers to stop scapegoating nature for planning failures www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
Brilliant news! At last, confirmation that the Govt *will* go ahead with the #NaturalHistoryGCSE 🎉 We have to get to know our fellow travellers on this planet again. Young people who know & love nature are far more likely to protect & restore it - as well as enjoying better physical & mental health
Department for Education confirms launch of natural history GCSE
Campaigners have been calling for the qualification for years but plan stalled despite a curriculum being drawn up
www.theguardian.com
March 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Brilliant news! At last, confirmation that the Govt *will* go ahead with the #NaturalHistoryGCSE 🎉 We have to get to know our fellow travellers on this planet again. Young people who know & love nature are far more likely to protect & restore it - as well as enjoying better physical & mental health
Some exciting news we’re part of @gloswildlife.bsky.social about the new national forest coming to Gloucestershire and neighbours: New national forest to see 20m trees planted www.bbc.com/news/article...
New national forest to see 20m trees planted across West by 2050
The government says the new Western Forest project will help the UK meet its tree-planting targets.
www.bbc.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Some exciting news we’re part of @gloswildlife.bsky.social about the new national forest coming to Gloucestershire and neighbours: New national forest to see 20m trees planted www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
Yet again, #DowningSt shows itself to be trapped in a misinformation and disinformation bubble when it comes to nature laws.
Meanwhile, the PM seems to have very little to say about housebuilders that are sitting on 100ks of granted planning permissions, but not actually building houses!
Meanwhile, the PM seems to have very little to say about housebuilders that are sitting on 100ks of granted planning permissions, but not actually building houses!
Sir Keir has misrepresented the impact of conservation on housing in Ebbsfleet. The majority of the homes are going ahead. The distinguished jumping spider isn’t even in the development area, but it is a precious habitat. Let's move beyond nature vs. growth - sustainable development benefits us all.
March 14, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Yet again, #DowningSt shows itself to be trapped in a misinformation and disinformation bubble when it comes to nature laws.
Meanwhile, the PM seems to have very little to say about housebuilders that are sitting on 100ks of granted planning permissions, but not actually building houses!
Meanwhile, the PM seems to have very little to say about housebuilders that are sitting on 100ks of granted planning permissions, but not actually building houses!
Invest in beaver dams, ponds and wild driveways to curb flooding, @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social report urges www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
Invest in beaver dams, ponds and wild driveways to curb flooding, report urges
Natural flood measures can deliver £10 in benefits over 30 years for every £1 invested, a study says.
www.independent.co.uk
March 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Invest in beaver dams, ponds and wild driveways to curb flooding, @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social report urges www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
We've published fantastic new research today showing that natural flood management works, and delivers ten times the benefits compared to costs over 30 years. From beavers to re-wiggled rivers to wild driveways, #letnaturehelp
#NFM #Climate #Nature #adapt 🧪
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
#NFM #Climate #Nature #adapt 🧪
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
New research finds that Wildlife Trust natural flood management schemes deliver £10 of benefits for every £1 invested | The Wildlife Trusts
Government and businesses urged to invest in beaver dams, bogs and ponds
www.wildlifetrusts.org
March 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
We've published fantastic new research today showing that natural flood management works, and delivers ten times the benefits compared to costs over 30 years. From beavers to re-wiggled rivers to wild driveways, #letnaturehelp
#NFM #Climate #Nature #adapt 🧪
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
#NFM #Climate #Nature #adapt 🧪
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
Reposted by Andy McLaughlin
Sir Keir has misrepresented the impact of conservation on housing in Ebbsfleet. The majority of the homes are going ahead. The distinguished jumping spider isn’t even in the development area, but it is a precious habitat. Let's move beyond nature vs. growth - sustainable development benefits us all.
March 13, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Sir Keir has misrepresented the impact of conservation on housing in Ebbsfleet. The majority of the homes are going ahead. The distinguished jumping spider isn’t even in the development area, but it is a precious habitat. Let's move beyond nature vs. growth - sustainable development benefits us all.