The Minox challenge results

In the end it was close, but the winner was: the rspb. The total 1352 votes cast were as follows: rspb   311 The Wildlife Trusts   274 Buglife   264 Butterfly Conservation   231 BTO   128 Plantlife   75 MARINElife  69   Well done to the rspb – but well done to all.  I hope that being able to…

The Minox Challenge – you decide

Seven organisations took up the Minox challenge on this blog; they each wrote a Guest Blog on why they should get your support.  All made their cases strongly and clearly. Here are the links to the individual blogs:   Joanna Bromley/Plantlife Mike Clarke/rspb Andy Clements/BTO Stephanie Hilborne/The Wildlife Trusts Andrew McLeish/MARINElife Matt Shardlow/Buglife Martin Warren/Butterfly…

Minox Challenge – the RSPB by Mike Clarke

Bins are central to the way a birder views the world – literally and metaphorically. I remember the thrill when I first acquired my pair of ‘Dialyts’ (on joining RSPB staff).  But the symbolism of binoculars risks becoming a deterrent to those who think enjoying birds and other wildlife is the exclusive pursuit of a…

LEAF – turn over a new one

On Monday I went to the Linking Environment and Farming President’s conference in the headquarters of HSBC in Canary Wharf.  I have a lot of time for LEAF, although there were a few moments on Monday when I thought I might have stumbled into an NFU conference instead of a LEAF one. How long should…

Guest Blog – Kids and nature by Andy Simpson

It is hard to imagine a great childhood that would not involve being outdoors, being active and exploring natural places.  From playing conkers and wading through fallen leaves in the Autumn to discovering the magic of a rockpool at the seaside, those are the memories of glorious days we want our children to have. I…