We're trialling something new this year at the BSBI - an activity designed to support absolute beginner botanists with identifying *and* recording their first ever 100 plants in 2026 🌿

If you know anyone that might like to take part then please spread the word:

bsbi.org/take-part/ac...

Is this 14,000 acre estate in West Berkshire an access-to-nature nirvana? Patrick Galbraith thinks so. This week he took @righttoroam.bsky.social to task for its criticism of the Englefield Estate, owned by the former Conservative Minister in charge of.. access to nature.

I explore the reality 👇

This May sees the release of Our Land - a feature length documentary film about the Right to Roam campaign, directed by Orban Wallace.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=est-...

@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour seen today: lots of snowdrops!

@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour seen today: red dead nettle, aconite, hazel catkin (with ladybird), alder catkin

Good web conference on recreational disturbance issues in the outdoors today. Lots of common ground, still some philosophical gulfs to bridge.

A few takeaways.

-the reason many of our protected SSSIs exist is *because* the land was originally protected for access. That's why the two often overlap.

We're incredibly PROUD to be offering 80+ online and in-person courses (most completely FREE to attend!).

Led by passionate specialists who want to share their knowledge, book as many as you want!

This is a huge opportunity for nature enthusiasts🌿

Join us NOW!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-biolog...

How to trespass: It often doesn’t come naturally - we’re conditioned to stick to paths, obey signs, and respect boundaries. We’re going back to basics to share core principles for roaming respectfully and interacting with the world around you with care.

"£500m over 20 years is sod all," said @jakefiennes.bsky.social, responding to this week's announcement of govt funding for Landscape Recovery

As Jake rightly points out, this is a fraction of the overall farming budget & not what was originally promised

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Enclosure Acts took away centuries of shared access to land, putting fences between people and nature. Securing the Right to Roam is about reclaiming the freedom to explore, enjoy, and reconnect with our countryside once again.

Why do you support a Right to Roam?
forms.gle/6q1uu2yf7ip3...

Have a go, back freedom to swim, and maybe win a great prize!

‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library

Historian Peter Mandler said it was “a sorry state when a major piece of public infrastructure like this is hit so badly and no one in authority even seems to notice, much less care”.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...

On Sunday 30th November, a small group set out to find the source of the Pigeonhouse Stream - one of the hidden headwaters of Bristol’s “forgotten river,” the Malago.

Kernow showed up in force for river access last weekend. Twenty people gathered near Bodmin to trespass a stretch of the River Camel, while another seven walked the full 20 miles of the Camel Trail to highlight the inadequacy of the government’s proposed nine river walks.

The Countryside Right of Way (CRoW) Act succeeded in giving partial access across the nation.

Lovely to return to Hebden Bridge, memories of access-campaigns and Walkers are Welcome events, this time to celebrate 25th anniversary of Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000. Wet walk to Mere Stones, formerly forbidden land, then conference where all pledged to press government to act for access

This is our monthly right to swim protest in West Norfolk:
Bawsey Brickyard Lake, Sun 14 Dec 2025
11:00 option to swim what3words.com/water.victor...
Calling for the Right to Swim and for Access to the
Outdoors for All, so we can enjoy water safely.
#RightToSwim #FreedomAndFun

Temperatures and leaves are falling, time for www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/how-to-be-an...

#sharetheswimlove

The Government have today announced an Access Green Paper which will consult on how to ‘strengthen the public’s legal right to access’.

This is welcome - but further delay isn't: Labour MPs & access NGOs are united on the need for access legislation now.

@righttoroam.bsky.social comment: