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.
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.
📢 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.
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...
📗 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
📢 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
“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...
🚨 The Govt has just published its Carbon Budget Delivery Plan - we are calling for nature to be at the heart of net zero
“Only nature can put the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’, by restoring landscapes with woodlands, peatlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows"
Read here👇
www.wcl.org.uk/only-nature-...
“Only nature can put the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’, by restoring landscapes with woodlands, peatlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows"
Read here👇
www.wcl.org.uk/only-nature-...
October 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
🚨 The Govt has just published its Carbon Budget Delivery Plan - we are calling for nature to be at the heart of net zero
“Only nature can put the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’, by restoring landscapes with woodlands, peatlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows"
Read here👇
www.wcl.org.uk/only-nature-...
“Only nature can put the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’, by restoring landscapes with woodlands, peatlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows"
Read here👇
www.wcl.org.uk/only-nature-...
📄 Alongside 10 other health and environment charities we have written to the Govt urging it to match the EU’s new Toy Safety Regulation
🌍Restricting harmful chemicals in toys is vital for protecting both children and nature from harmful chemicals
💚 Read the letter here: tinyurl.com/5ckcct8f
🌍Restricting harmful chemicals in toys is vital for protecting both children and nature from harmful chemicals
💚 Read the letter here: tinyurl.com/5ckcct8f
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
📄 Alongside 10 other health and environment charities we have written to the Govt urging it to match the EU’s new Toy Safety Regulation
🌍Restricting harmful chemicals in toys is vital for protecting both children and nature from harmful chemicals
💚 Read the letter here: tinyurl.com/5ckcct8f
🌍Restricting harmful chemicals in toys is vital for protecting both children and nature from harmful chemicals
💚 Read the letter here: tinyurl.com/5ckcct8f
The #PlanningBill is in its final days in the Lords. This is the last real chance to make sure England’s planning system helps – not harms – nature. 🌿
We’re backing key amendments to put promises into law and secure nature’s place in planning.
🔗 wcl.org.uk/planning-and...
We’re backing key amendments to put promises into law and secure nature’s place in planning.
🔗 wcl.org.uk/planning-and...
October 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The #PlanningBill is in its final days in the Lords. This is the last real chance to make sure England’s planning system helps – not harms – nature. 🌿
We’re backing key amendments to put promises into law and secure nature’s place in planning.
🔗 wcl.org.uk/planning-and...
We’re backing key amendments to put promises into law and secure nature’s place in planning.
🔗 wcl.org.uk/planning-and...
First-time buyers are forced to choose homes in nature-poor areas 🥀
Far too often, affordable = low access to nature 🏠
This leaves younger homebuyers at higher risk of health issues including depression & anxiety❗
Planning reforms must integrate parks & nature into developments👇
buff.ly/NVWciBu
Far too often, affordable = low access to nature 🏠
This leaves younger homebuyers at higher risk of health issues including depression & anxiety❗
Planning reforms must integrate parks & nature into developments👇
buff.ly/NVWciBu
October 26, 2025 at 8:01 AM
First-time buyers are forced to choose homes in nature-poor areas 🥀
Far too often, affordable = low access to nature 🏠
This leaves younger homebuyers at higher risk of health issues including depression & anxiety❗
Planning reforms must integrate parks & nature into developments👇
buff.ly/NVWciBu
Far too often, affordable = low access to nature 🏠
This leaves younger homebuyers at higher risk of health issues including depression & anxiety❗
Planning reforms must integrate parks & nature into developments👇
buff.ly/NVWciBu
Some holey bricks (like air bricks) are in building regulation while others are not
Swift bricks would help endangered species recover, but are not in regulations
Planning reforms must get #WilderByDesign - including regulation for nature-friendly design like swift bricks to be in new developments
Swift bricks would help endangered species recover, but are not in regulations
Planning reforms must get #WilderByDesign - including regulation for nature-friendly design like swift bricks to be in new developments
October 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Some holey bricks (like air bricks) are in building regulation while others are not
Swift bricks would help endangered species recover, but are not in regulations
Planning reforms must get #WilderByDesign - including regulation for nature-friendly design like swift bricks to be in new developments
Swift bricks would help endangered species recover, but are not in regulations
Planning reforms must get #WilderByDesign - including regulation for nature-friendly design like swift bricks to be in new developments
Plans for new penalties for water companies are good, but we need to stop pollution being an acceptable business cost🪙
This means strong enforcement firmly on the table in cases of serious harm to rivers💦
Fines must be ringfenced to restore our rivers🐟
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
This means strong enforcement firmly on the table in cases of serious harm to rivers💦
Fines must be ringfenced to restore our rivers🐟
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
October 23, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Plans for new penalties for water companies are good, but we need to stop pollution being an acceptable business cost🪙
This means strong enforcement firmly on the table in cases of serious harm to rivers💦
Fines must be ringfenced to restore our rivers🐟
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
This means strong enforcement firmly on the table in cases of serious harm to rivers💦
Fines must be ringfenced to restore our rivers🐟
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...
The proposed Nature Restoration Levy could accelerate the decline of vulnerable wildlife if applied to the wrong species🚨
We’re calling on Government to back up planning reforms with evidence & field trials to deliver on promise to boost nature & building in tandem 🏡
www.wcl.org.uk/evidence-bla...
We’re calling on Government to back up planning reforms with evidence & field trials to deliver on promise to boost nature & building in tandem 🏡
www.wcl.org.uk/evidence-bla...
October 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM
The proposed Nature Restoration Levy could accelerate the decline of vulnerable wildlife if applied to the wrong species🚨
We’re calling on Government to back up planning reforms with evidence & field trials to deliver on promise to boost nature & building in tandem 🏡
www.wcl.org.uk/evidence-bla...
We’re calling on Government to back up planning reforms with evidence & field trials to deliver on promise to boost nature & building in tandem 🏡
www.wcl.org.uk/evidence-bla...
Environment groups team up with industry for a letter calling on Government to deliver planned policies on packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) on time & with increased ambition. This would help to:
🗑️ Reduce waste
🧴 Increase reuse
♻️ Increase recycling
www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Industr...
🗑️ Reduce waste
🧴 Increase reuse
♻️ Increase recycling
www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Industr...
October 17, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Environment groups team up with industry for a letter calling on Government to deliver planned policies on packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) on time & with increased ambition. This would help to:
🗑️ Reduce waste
🧴 Increase reuse
♻️ Increase recycling
www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Industr...
🗑️ Reduce waste
🧴 Increase reuse
♻️ Increase recycling
www.wcl.org.uk/docs/Industr...
Restoring river corridors can protect against floods, clean our water, & boost wildlife🐟
Yesterday, MPs joined calls for funding for farmers & landowners to make #SpaceForWater 💧
You can add your name & help restore our rivers👇
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
📸Riverscape Partnership
Yesterday, MPs joined calls for funding for farmers & landowners to make #SpaceForWater 💧
You can add your name & help restore our rivers👇
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
📸Riverscape Partnership
October 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Restoring river corridors can protect against floods, clean our water, & boost wildlife🐟
Yesterday, MPs joined calls for funding for farmers & landowners to make #SpaceForWater 💧
You can add your name & help restore our rivers👇
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
📸Riverscape Partnership
Yesterday, MPs joined calls for funding for farmers & landowners to make #SpaceForWater 💧
You can add your name & help restore our rivers👇
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
📸Riverscape Partnership
It is not virtue-signalling to commit funds to restore nature in UK Overseas Territories
The nature crisis is a global crisis which has the UK has contributed to. It has a duty to help restore it for future generations around the world
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
📸Lakshmi Kanth Raju
The nature crisis is a global crisis which has the UK has contributed to. It has a duty to help restore it for future generations around the world
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
📸Lakshmi Kanth Raju
October 13, 2025 at 2:04 PM
It is not virtue-signalling to commit funds to restore nature in UK Overseas Territories
The nature crisis is a global crisis which has the UK has contributed to. It has a duty to help restore it for future generations around the world
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
📸Lakshmi Kanth Raju
The nature crisis is a global crisis which has the UK has contributed to. It has a duty to help restore it for future generations around the world
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
📸Lakshmi Kanth Raju