Wildlife and Countryside Link
@wclnews.bsky.social
Wildlife and Countryside Link represents 90 organisations working together to support & enjoy the natural environment
Today we’ve joined with over 160 orgs to urge UK Gov to secure a healthier, fairer, more sustainable food system
We’re united behind 3 priorities:
🌱 A joined-up food & farming plan
🌾 Nature-friendly farming
🥗 Healthy diets for everyone
Read the letter here: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Food_St...
We’re united behind 3 priorities:
🌱 A joined-up food & farming plan
🌾 Nature-friendly farming
🥗 Healthy diets for everyone
Read the letter here: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Food_St...
December 4, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Today we’ve joined with over 160 orgs to urge UK Gov to secure a healthier, fairer, more sustainable food system
We’re united behind 3 priorities:
🌱 A joined-up food & farming plan
🌾 Nature-friendly farming
🥗 Healthy diets for everyone
Read the letter here: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Food_St...
We’re united behind 3 priorities:
🌱 A joined-up food & farming plan
🌾 Nature-friendly farming
🥗 Healthy diets for everyone
Read the letter here: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Food_St...
England’s protected site system isn’t failing – it’s being failed. And the consequences for nature are severe ⤵️
December 4, 2025 at 11:14 AM
England’s protected site system isn’t failing – it’s being failed. And the consequences for nature are severe ⤵️
WCL CEO Richard Benwell on #BBCPoliticsLive today:
“You can increase habitat, benefits for people, and get development working under the current law.”
Our message is clear: nature and good planning go hand-in-hand
“You can increase habitat, benefits for people, and get development working under the current law.”
Our message is clear: nature and good planning go hand-in-hand
December 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
WCL CEO Richard Benwell on #BBCPoliticsLive today:
“You can increase habitat, benefits for people, and get development working under the current law.”
Our message is clear: nature and good planning go hand-in-hand
“You can increase habitat, benefits for people, and get development working under the current law.”
Our message is clear: nature and good planning go hand-in-hand
📉 New UK Biodiversity Indicators released today paint a stark picture: long- and short-term declines across most species
Only 2 species indicators are improving long-term. None are improving short-term.
Specialist species like turtle doves, corn buntings & marsh tits are struggling most.
Only 2 species indicators are improving long-term. None are improving short-term.
Specialist species like turtle doves, corn buntings & marsh tits are struggling most.
December 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
📉 New UK Biodiversity Indicators released today paint a stark picture: long- and short-term declines across most species
Only 2 species indicators are improving long-term. None are improving short-term.
Specialist species like turtle doves, corn buntings & marsh tits are struggling most.
Only 2 species indicators are improving long-term. None are improving short-term.
Specialist species like turtle doves, corn buntings & marsh tits are struggling most.
The Environmental Improvement Plan is out🎉
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
December 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The Environmental Improvement Plan is out🎉
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
We took the Government to court over the last one. This time, warm words won’t cut it – nature needs delivery.
1/5 🧵
25yrs ago the Countryside Rights of Way Act opened up landscapes for public access – but left many without a right to enjoy inland waters💧
Today we remember that milestone – and renew the call for fair access to inland waters.
Read more by Ben Seal, @PaddleUK: www.wcl.org.uk/the-crow-act...
Today we remember that milestone – and renew the call for fair access to inland waters.
Read more by Ben Seal, @PaddleUK: www.wcl.org.uk/the-crow-act...
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM
25yrs ago the Countryside Rights of Way Act opened up landscapes for public access – but left many without a right to enjoy inland waters💧
Today we remember that milestone – and renew the call for fair access to inland waters.
Read more by Ben Seal, @PaddleUK: www.wcl.org.uk/the-crow-act...
Today we remember that milestone – and renew the call for fair access to inland waters.
Read more by Ben Seal, @PaddleUK: www.wcl.org.uk/the-crow-act...
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill will soon be law, but huge amounts of detail remain to be decided. Government needs to minimise environmental risk and uncertainty, as well as ensure that safeguards for wildlife are upheld. With nature in decline, we can't afford to leave it to chance.
November 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill will soon be law, but huge amounts of detail remain to be decided. Government needs to minimise environmental risk and uncertainty, as well as ensure that safeguards for wildlife are upheld. With nature in decline, we can't afford to leave it to chance.
Reposted by Wildlife and Countryside Link
UK waters are reeling from #nurdle & #biobead spills 🌊
Both are #microplastics and both are too often spilled into the environment. But they come from different industries.
Our new blog explores the key differences 👉 www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/news/uk-reel...
📸 C Buckingham & Clacton litter pickers
Both are #microplastics and both are too often spilled into the environment. But they come from different industries.
Our new blog explores the key differences 👉 www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/news/uk-reel...
📸 C Buckingham & Clacton litter pickers
November 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM
UK waters are reeling from #nurdle & #biobead spills 🌊
Both are #microplastics and both are too often spilled into the environment. But they come from different industries.
Our new blog explores the key differences 👉 www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/news/uk-reel...
📸 C Buckingham & Clacton litter pickers
Both are #microplastics and both are too often spilled into the environment. But they come from different industries.
Our new blog explores the key differences 👉 www.nurdlehunt.org.uk/news/uk-reel...
📸 C Buckingham & Clacton litter pickers
Good news! Danny Chambers 'Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill' has passed today.
It's good to see Government deliver a manifesto promise for animal welfare. We hope that the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy is ambitious in creating a better world for animals.
It's good to see Government deliver a manifesto promise for animal welfare. We hope that the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy is ambitious in creating a better world for animals.
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Good news! Danny Chambers 'Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill' has passed today.
It's good to see Government deliver a manifesto promise for animal welfare. We hope that the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy is ambitious in creating a better world for animals.
It's good to see Government deliver a manifesto promise for animal welfare. We hope that the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy is ambitious in creating a better world for animals.
Yes! Hilary McGrady and the National Trust are right. Nature isn't a blocker to development - it's fundamental to a healthy, thriving economy.
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
Nature isn’t a “blocker” – it makes our lives better.
Our coast, countryside, heritage and wildlife underpin our food, water and health and put millions of pounds into the economy. The Government must not weaken the laws that protect them.
Our coast, countryside, heritage and wildlife underpin our food, water and health and put millions of pounds into the economy. The Government must not weaken the laws that protect them.
November 20, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Yes! Hilary McGrady and the National Trust are right. Nature isn't a blocker to development - it's fundamental to a healthy, thriving economy.
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
The Chancellor must stop bat-bashing and instead embrace people's love of nature and the economic opportunity that it brings.🌳
📢 Over 80 conservation organisations, land-managers and rural businesses have written to Government to warn that exempting sub-0.5 ha sites from BNG would remove 97% of planning applications from the UK’s only national nature compliance market.
November 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
📢 Over 80 conservation organisations, land-managers and rural businesses have written to Government to warn that exempting sub-0.5 ha sites from BNG would remove 97% of planning applications from the UK’s only national nature compliance market.
Reposted by Wildlife and Countryside Link
GYBN UK are excited to become a member of Wildlife and Countryside Link, the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England with more than 90 members. We are looking forward to working with WCL and its members, and to providing youth-led perspectives.
#youthcandoit @wclnews.bsky.social
#youthcandoit @wclnews.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
GYBN UK are excited to become a member of Wildlife and Countryside Link, the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England with more than 90 members. We are looking forward to working with WCL and its members, and to providing youth-led perspectives.
#youthcandoit @wclnews.bsky.social
#youthcandoit @wclnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Wildlife and Countryside Link
📢As the Aarhus Convention MOP kicks off next week, we're supporting this joint letter from 40+ NGOs to the UK PM, urging him to uphold the Convention for the good of environmental justice. 🧵
📢 40+ NGOs have written to the PM urging him to uphold the Aarhus Convention – the cornerstone of environmental justice
The Convention protects your right to:
✅ Access environmental information
✅ Have a say in decisions that affect nature
✅ Seek environmental justice affordably
The Convention protects your right to:
✅ Access environmental information
✅ Have a say in decisions that affect nature
✅ Seek environmental justice affordably
November 13, 2025 at 12:49 PM
📢As the Aarhus Convention MOP kicks off next week, we're supporting this joint letter from 40+ NGOs to the UK PM, urging him to uphold the Convention for the good of environmental justice. 🧵
Reposted by Wildlife and Countryside Link
I’ve just announced I’ll be leading a National Emergency Briefing on 27 November . At a time when climate is in free fall on the political agenda , it’s vital our leaders realise what is at stake if we do not accelerate a just , green transition for all .
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
November 9, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I’ve just announced I’ll be leading a National Emergency Briefing on 27 November . At a time when climate is in free fall on the political agenda , it’s vital our leaders realise what is at stake if we do not accelerate a just , green transition for all .
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
Tackling wildlife crime means tackling organised crime❗
Wildlife crime offenders are involved in other serious crimes:
💥 59% linked to violence
💰 58% linked to theft or criminal damage
🐇 For poaching and hare coursing, that rises to over 70%
🚨 27% have links to domestic violence
Wildlife crime offenders are involved in other serious crimes:
💥 59% linked to violence
💰 58% linked to theft or criminal damage
🐇 For poaching and hare coursing, that rises to over 70%
🚨 27% have links to domestic violence
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Tackling wildlife crime means tackling organised crime❗
Wildlife crime offenders are involved in other serious crimes:
💥 59% linked to violence
💰 58% linked to theft or criminal damage
🐇 For poaching and hare coursing, that rises to over 70%
🚨 27% have links to domestic violence
Wildlife crime offenders are involved in other serious crimes:
💥 59% linked to violence
💰 58% linked to theft or criminal damage
🐇 For poaching and hare coursing, that rises to over 70%
🚨 27% have links to domestic violence
2,000 crimes against wildlife were reported last year, with just 2% of these leading to convictions (exc fisheries) ⚖️
We need wildlife crime to be notifiable to the Home Office, to aid police response & ensure justice for nature 👮♀️
Read more 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/wildlife-cri...
We need wildlife crime to be notifiable to the Home Office, to aid police response & ensure justice for nature 👮♀️
Read more 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/wildlife-cri...
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM
2,000 crimes against wildlife were reported last year, with just 2% of these leading to convictions (exc fisheries) ⚖️
We need wildlife crime to be notifiable to the Home Office, to aid police response & ensure justice for nature 👮♀️
Read more 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/wildlife-cri...
We need wildlife crime to be notifiable to the Home Office, to aid police response & ensure justice for nature 👮♀️
Read more 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/wildlife-cri...
💷Its Buy Nothing New Month with @keepbritaintidy.bsky.social
🌳Did you know resource extraction and processing is responsible for 90% of biodiversity loss?
🛠 Thats why we should reduce, repair, and reuse!
🚫See if you can buy nothing new this month! Find out more: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/assets/...
🌳Did you know resource extraction and processing is responsible for 90% of biodiversity loss?
🛠 Thats why we should reduce, repair, and reuse!
🚫See if you can buy nothing new this month! Find out more: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/assets/...
www.wcl.org.uk
November 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
💷Its Buy Nothing New Month with @keepbritaintidy.bsky.social
🌳Did you know resource extraction and processing is responsible for 90% of biodiversity loss?
🛠 Thats why we should reduce, repair, and reuse!
🚫See if you can buy nothing new this month! Find out more: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/assets/...
🌳Did you know resource extraction and processing is responsible for 90% of biodiversity loss?
🛠 Thats why we should reduce, repair, and reuse!
🚫See if you can buy nothing new this month! Find out more: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/assets/...
📗 New report by @britishecologicalsociety.org & @nationaltrust.org.uk
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
📗 New report by @britishecologicalsociety.org & @nationaltrust.org.uk
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Our CEO, Richard Benwell, features in the Winter issue of @ciwem.bsky.social The Environment 🌿
He speaks about rebuilding trust over planning reform, putting nature at the heart of green growth, and how government can turn ambition into action.
🗞️ Read the interview here
He speaks about rebuilding trust over planning reform, putting nature at the heart of green growth, and how government can turn ambition into action.
🗞️ Read the interview here
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Our CEO, Richard Benwell, features in the Winter issue of @ciwem.bsky.social The Environment 🌿
He speaks about rebuilding trust over planning reform, putting nature at the heart of green growth, and how government can turn ambition into action.
🗞️ Read the interview here
He speaks about rebuilding trust over planning reform, putting nature at the heart of green growth, and how government can turn ambition into action.
🗞️ Read the interview here
Reposted by Wildlife and Countryside Link
500 govt meetings with oil lobbyists last year ✓
22 new oil fields pending ✓
8 fields in or next to marine PROTECTED areas ✓
Our govt considering the true ocean impact ❌
Game over. The #OilFieldFiles are public.
📧 Email your MP to stop this → act.oceana.org/page/171529/...
22 new oil fields pending ✓
8 fields in or next to marine PROTECTED areas ✓
Our govt considering the true ocean impact ❌
Game over. The #OilFieldFiles are public.
📧 Email your MP to stop this → act.oceana.org/page/171529/...
November 4, 2025 at 10:27 AM
500 govt meetings with oil lobbyists last year ✓
22 new oil fields pending ✓
8 fields in or next to marine PROTECTED areas ✓
Our govt considering the true ocean impact ❌
Game over. The #OilFieldFiles are public.
📧 Email your MP to stop this → act.oceana.org/page/171529/...
22 new oil fields pending ✓
8 fields in or next to marine PROTECTED areas ✓
Our govt considering the true ocean impact ❌
Game over. The #OilFieldFiles are public.
📧 Email your MP to stop this → act.oceana.org/page/171529/...
📢 40+ NGOs have written to the PM urging him to uphold the Aarhus Convention – the cornerstone of environmental justice
The Convention protects your right to:
✅ Access environmental information
✅ Have a say in decisions that affect nature
✅ Seek environmental justice affordably
The Convention protects your right to:
✅ Access environmental information
✅ Have a say in decisions that affect nature
✅ Seek environmental justice affordably
November 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
📢 40+ NGOs have written to the PM urging him to uphold the Aarhus Convention – the cornerstone of environmental justice
The Convention protects your right to:
✅ Access environmental information
✅ Have a say in decisions that affect nature
✅ Seek environmental justice affordably
The Convention protects your right to:
✅ Access environmental information
✅ Have a say in decisions that affect nature
✅ Seek environmental justice affordably
Reposted by Wildlife and Countryside Link
Locking cattle indoors and calling it ‘progress’? 🚫
In his blog post for @wclnews.bsky.social, Anthony Field, Head of our UK Team, warns that the Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare while doing little for the planet.
Read the full blog: bit.ly/43LuBrE
In his blog post for @wclnews.bsky.social, Anthony Field, Head of our UK Team, warns that the Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare while doing little for the planet.
Read the full blog: bit.ly/43LuBrE
November 1, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Locking cattle indoors and calling it ‘progress’? 🚫
In his blog post for @wclnews.bsky.social, Anthony Field, Head of our UK Team, warns that the Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare while doing little for the planet.
Read the full blog: bit.ly/43LuBrE
In his blog post for @wclnews.bsky.social, Anthony Field, Head of our UK Team, warns that the Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare while doing little for the planet.
Read the full blog: bit.ly/43LuBrE
“We cannot keep with this business-as-usual approach. It’s simply not working.”
In his latest blog, Anthony Field @ciwf warns that Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare without tackling the challenge of carbon emissions from cattle
🔗Read more: www.wcl.org.uk/a-more-robus...
In his latest blog, Anthony Field @ciwf warns that Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare without tackling the challenge of carbon emissions from cattle
🔗Read more: www.wcl.org.uk/a-more-robus...
November 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
“We cannot keep with this business-as-usual approach. It’s simply not working.”
In his latest blog, Anthony Field @ciwf warns that Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare without tackling the challenge of carbon emissions from cattle
🔗Read more: www.wcl.org.uk/a-more-robus...
In his latest blog, Anthony Field @ciwf warns that Government’s methane plan risks worsening animal welfare without tackling the challenge of carbon emissions from cattle
🔗Read more: www.wcl.org.uk/a-more-robus...
Dental fillings are taking a bite out of our river health🦷
Research shows that fish & mussels across the UK contain high levels of mercury – commonly used in fillings❗
The UK must match other countries & ban mercury from our teeth 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/mercury-fill...
Research shows that fish & mussels across the UK contain high levels of mercury – commonly used in fillings❗
The UK must match other countries & ban mercury from our teeth 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/mercury-fill...
Mercury fillings are taking a bite out of British wildlife and river health
Nature groups are warning that mercury fillings should be banned across Great Britain.
www.wcl.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Dental fillings are taking a bite out of our river health🦷
Research shows that fish & mussels across the UK contain high levels of mercury – commonly used in fillings❗
The UK must match other countries & ban mercury from our teeth 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/mercury-fill...
Research shows that fish & mussels across the UK contain high levels of mercury – commonly used in fillings❗
The UK must match other countries & ban mercury from our teeth 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/mercury-fill...
Amendment 130 has passed in the House of Lords 🎉
The Lords have voted decisively that the Govt's new approach on planning - Environmental Delivery Plans - must only apply to water and air issues. Their message is clear: planning reform must not put species and habitats in the firing line.
The Lords have voted decisively that the Govt's new approach on planning - Environmental Delivery Plans - must only apply to water and air issues. Their message is clear: planning reform must not put species and habitats in the firing line.
Nature at risk: report warns of ‘evidence black hole’ in Planning Bill
A new report by Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of 90 nature organisations, has warned that there is no scientific evidence that the proposed “Nature Restoration Levy” will work for most…
www.wcl.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Amendment 130 has passed in the House of Lords 🎉
The Lords have voted decisively that the Govt's new approach on planning - Environmental Delivery Plans - must only apply to water and air issues. Their message is clear: planning reform must not put species and habitats in the firing line.
The Lords have voted decisively that the Govt's new approach on planning - Environmental Delivery Plans - must only apply to water and air issues. Their message is clear: planning reform must not put species and habitats in the firing line.