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“Don’t deregulate, designate” – say nature charities calling for bigger and better protected sites for wildlife.

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In its response to Government plans to restore nature (the Nature Recovery Green Paper), Wildlife and Countryside Link praised some proposed improvements to the legal rules for nature conservation, including new strategies for improving important wildlife sites, new sites for nature’s recovery, and more adaptability to respond to climate change.

However, the coalition of 65 charities, including Froglife, has warned that all of the positives could be outweighed by risks if the Government presses ahead with proposals to re-write the rulebook for protecting habitats and species, which was established in the EU, but originally conceived in the UK.



Nature groups say that the Government’s Green Paper is wrong to suggest that the Habitats Regulations are too focused on legal process. Assessments of harm to nature under the Regulations are the last and best line of defence for many of the UK’s most valuable habitats against damaging development and unsustainable land use. Stripping away legal accountability and case law would increase costs, create legal uncertainty, and expose many of our finest wildlife sites to greater harm.

The environmental group is also calling for more important habitats such as ancient woodlands and meadows to be designated as protected nature sites, and for such sites to be given stronger protection.


Dr Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

“The way we protect wildlife can certainly be improved. We are pleased to see proposals for statutory strategies to manage wildlife sites better and to make them more flexible in the face of climate change. The idea of protecting degraded habitats to allow nature to recover is excellent. The Government should press ahead in delivering these changes.

“But these positives would be outweighed by the damage that could be done if the Government were to weaken the Habitats Regulations. These rules are not just added red tape standing in the way of good decision-making, as the Government seems to suggest. They are critical laws for nature, providing certainty for businesses, and essential legal protection for communities and wildlife. The idea of simplifying the rules and stripping away case law for a “blank slate” may sound attractive from a business point of view, but it is a false promise that would likely lead to increased costs and uncertainty.

“If the Government is serious about ensuring that protected sites play their part in halting nature’s decline, the conclusion is clear. The Government should designate, not deregulate. It should protect more places for nature, strengthen their legal defences, and invest in better management to revive the 60% of sites that aren’t in good condition.”



Wildlife and Countryside Link’s main asks of the Nature Recovery Green Paper:

  1. More protected nature sites, that have greater protection, with a faster process for completing the protected site network.
  2. Retaining and extending site protection rules, including Habitats Regulations Assessment, to defend protected sites from a wider range of damaging projects and activities.
  3. Ministerial designation of Sites of Special Scientific Interest could help protect more sites, but must only be in addition to the legal duty to designate sites of scientific importance.
  4. The objective of achieving Favourable Conservation Status should be established in law as a guiding principle for species and habitat conservation.
  5. Setting nature’s recovery and climate targets as statutory purposes for all existing public bodies, including the Forestry Commission, RPA and MMO.
  6. To contribute towards the target of protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, areas must be protected and well-managed for nature. There should be a new Nature recovery planning designation, with areas identified through Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

 

You can read the full response here. 

Just Add Water to Help Wildlife Thrive!

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Froglife completed work on a new pond in Frome, Somerset, in collaboration with Frome Town Council in February this year. After just two months the pond is already brimming with life!

Froglife is a UK wildlife conservation charity focusing on the protection of reptiles and amphibians and the habitats they rely on. The charity’s “Green Pathways for Life” project provides opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers to get active and connect with nature conservation, to boost wellbeing and help local wildlife. The new pond was created over several weeks, with Froglife’s dementia groups taking an active role from initial planning to final planting up with native water plants.

Now the pond is established, the groups have been monitoring the wildlife species moving into the pond. The first survey, just two months after the pond was created, found the species count shot up from zero to more than ten – including frog tadpoles, fly larvae, water snails, pond skaters and other invertebrates.

Froglife’s Somerset Project Officer Zak says “although the flora and fauna are still developing in this new pond it’s amazing to see how quickly aquatic life can flourish when we provide the right habitat. We’ve already found this rich community of species, which in turn will benefit all kinds of wildlife in the surrounding area. It’s also a fantastic learning resource for local residents from school kids to our groups for people living with dementia, who regularly use and look after the site. A real win-win for wildlife and people!”

Unfortunately the UK lost 50% of its ponds in the 20th century and 80% of those remaining are in a poor condition. Many of our iconic wildlife species are in decline, including frogs and toads. Froglife research in 2016 found that common toads have declined by almost 70% in the last 30 years.

With Amphibian Week from 1st-7th May, it’s never been a better time to join Froglife’s Just Add Water campaign by creating your own pond! If space is tight a small container pond can be a huge boost for wildlife including amphibians, even in heavily urban environments. Why not give it a go with our free guide? https://www.froglife.org/info-advice/just-add-water/

Somerset Green Pathways for Life is funded by Somerset County Council, Frome Town Council, The Florence Cohen Charitable Trust, The Nineveh Trust, The Hospital Saturday Fund, Somerset Community Foundation, and Anne Jones.

Zero Hour

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It’s time to act for climate and nature! 

Zero Hour is the campaign group behind the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, or ‘CEE Bill’. The CEE Bill was first developed with members of the successful ‘Big Ask’ campaign (a Friends of the Earth initiative which led to the Climate Change Act 2008), Power for People and with contributions from eminent scientists, academics and lawyers. The campaign for the CEE Bill launched in August 2020, with its introduction to Parliament in September 2020. The updated CEE Bill was introduced in Parliament in June 2021.

The CEE Bill has received backing from a wide range of supporters, including Froglife, and from different fields including Ben Fogle, Kumi Naidoo (Director, Greenpeace International, 2009-16); musician, Thom Yorke; environmentalist, Bill McKibben; Volans co-founder, John Elkington and actor-playwright Sir Mark Rylance. For a full list of supporters, you can head to Zero Hour’s Allies and Supporters page. 

What can you do? 

Time is running out for climate and nature and we need to get the Climate and Ecological Emergency bill through in a fraction of that time, so it’s time for MPs, councils, organisations and individuals to step up! The more support, the more pressure there will be on the government to take the Bill into law. And for that to happen we need as many campaigners, both as individuals and organisations to declare their support for the CEE Bill. 

Declare your support here. 

Find more information on the Zero Hour campaign here. 

Artists inspired by Scotland’s messages to COP26

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A set of nine artworks depict why the people of Scotland care about the climate and nature emergency. This is part of a climate change campaign that has gathered support from people around Scotland to send a message to leaders attending COP26 in Glasgow.

Climate Scotland has collected over 7,000 voices from across the nation, to show that the people of Scotland want meaningful action to protect the things they love, and create a better future for people everywhere. 

Nine new mural artworks have been created to depict the messages of the people of Scotland gathered so far, and are on display at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens during COP26. 

Ida Henrich with her mural responding to Health and Wellbeing

The UN climate summit COP26 is a major opportunity to re-energise efforts to tackle the climate emergency. 

Through this campaign, everyone in Scotland has the opportunity to show how much they care about the climate and nature emergencies. The messages gathered online have been shared in the COP26 Green Zone and at the Scottish Government space at The Lighthouse, Glasgow.

Individuals visiting the Climate Scotland website are able to add their voice to the campaign by selecting a theme that is most relevant to them or by writing their own reason. The themes cover a broad range of perspectives, which are depicted in the artwork:

  • Flourishing communities 
  • Future generations
  • Greener, fairer livelihoods
  • Wildlife and nature
  • Sustainable food systems 
  • Protecting the world’s resources
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Beautiful places
  • Solidarity with global neighbours.

Ida Henrich, a freelance illustrator and mural artist based in Glasgow, said: 

“Alongside Kaitlin Mechan and Indrė Šimkutė, I am thrilled to have created these artworks for Climate Scotland. I believe that murals start conversations, and chats about topics we care about, often reveal that other people also care. I’m proud of the artworks we have created and can’t wait to share them with the public.” 

Indrė Šimkutė with her artwork that represents ‘Wildlife and Nature’

Over 40 non-profit organisations, including WWF Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Christian Aid Scotland and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), have come together to create the Climate Scotland campaign.

Anna Fowlie, chief executive at SCVO, said: 

“Thousands of Scots have spoken out about why climate change matters to them. They recognise that strong action is essential for Scotland’s nature, our health and wellbeing, and for future generations. SCVO is proud to be part of Climate Scotland, showcasing these messages in Glasgow during COP26 and demanding climate justice now.”

Aedán Smith, Head of Policy and Advocacy RSPB Scotland, said:

“1 in 9 species in Scotland is at risk of extinction. We must address this by protecting and restoring nature, increasing access to nature for everyone and making decisions that support nature, our climate and people. The Climate Scotland campaign is a way for people in Scotland to show how much they care about these things.” 

Sally Foster-Fulton, Head of Christian Aid Scotland, said:

“The Climate Scotland campaign is a fantastic opportunity for people in Scotland to show leaders and decision-makers that they care about our global neighbours. We stand together against the climate crisis, raising our voice as one to create lasting change and to ensure that communities are equipped to adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change.”

To add your voice to the campaign, visit climatescotland.org.

The benefits of green spaces and nature on mental health.

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“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks” – John Muir

As well as the conservation work Froglife does for amphibians and reptiles across the UK, we also run projects that promote education amenities and research activities for the benefit of the public. We run wildlife projects for disadvantaged young people and those with dementia, such as our Green Pathways, Green Pathways for Life and Leaping forward for Dementia. A common issue amongst our participants is mental health especially coming out the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Eco therapy style project is based on scientific research that suggests being outdoors and connecting with nature, have hugely positive effects on individuals.

As countries become increasingly urbanised, the world’s population is spending increasingly less time exposed to natural environments (Cox et al, 2018). It has been reported that 55% of the world’s population live in urban areas and this is expected to increase to 68% by 2050 (United Nations, 2018). Unfortunately, urbanisation not only means spending less time in natural environments but more time destroying them and reducing the number of green spaces around the globe (Collins, 2014). Aside from the detrimental environmental effects of this, loss of these green spaces and time spent in them could have hugely negative effects on people’s mental health and well-being.

There is growing evidence to suggest that being in nature has positive effects on people’s mental health. Studies have shown that green spaces can lower levels of stress (Wells et al, 2003) and reduce rates of depression and anxiety, reduce cortisol levels (Park et al, 2010) and improve general well-being. Not only can a simple walk in nature boost your mood but also improve your cognitive function and memory (Berman et al, 2012).  Green spaces can provide a buffer against the negative health impacts of stressful life events. A Dutch study showed that residents with a higher area of green spaces within a 3km radius had a better relationship with stressful life events (Van den Berg et al, 2010) which was soon to be increasingly important in recent years with the effects of COVID-19.

So what is it about natural environments that are good for mental health and wellbeing?

Positive Physiological effects

Something as simple as exposure to natural environments can be physiologically restorative (Conniff et al, 2014). This means that being in a natural outdoor environment can have positive mental health effects due to the physical processes elicited in the body. A Japanese study showed that viewing and walking in forest environments can promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rates and blood pressure when compared to city environments (Park et al, 2010). These physiological effects are all a counter to the physical effects stress causes in the body and are what happens when you relax. A recent study found that those who had access to natural spaces during the COVID-19 lockdowns had lower levels of stress and those that could view nature from home had reduced psychological distress (Ribeiro et al, 2021).

There are multiple psychological theories as to how nature helps our mental well-being. The two common prevailing theories on how nature brings about these positive effects are the Stress Reduction Theory (SRT) coined by Ulrich (1981) and Kaplan et al’s (1989) Attention Restoration Theory (ART).  SRT suggests that nature promotes recovery from stress and that urban environments have the opposite effect. Ulrich proposes that being in unthreatening natural environments (a green space you would consider safe) activates a positive emotional response. That being in nature produces this as a universal innate connection, promoting the physiological effects of lower blood pressure, heart rate and increases attention which in turn blocks negative thoughts and emotions (Ulrich et al, 1991). Kaplan et al’s ART works around the idea that we have different types of attention: voluntary or involuntary, and that the latter requires no effort. After using voluntary attention we experience ‘attention fatigue’, reducing our cognitive abilities and increasing mental fatigue. According to Kaplan et al, when we use our involuntary attention it gives us time to restore our voluntary attention. From this, Kaplan et al have suggested that what nature provides acts as a restorative power by providing four processes:

  • Being away – an opportunity to distance from routine activities and thoughts.
  • Soft fascination – nature holds attention effortlessly: think about the sunsets, sound of water, leaves blowing in the wind all-natural phenomena allowing your voluntary attention to rest.
  • Extent – nature provides an immersion experience, engaging the mind and rest from concerns.
  • Compatibility – a setting that is well matched to human needs and desires, providing a feeling of being in harmony with a greater whole.

These two theories have much in common: they focus on cognitive vs autonomic processes and both support a change in attention and stress load when an individual interacts with the natural environment (Gregory N. Bratman, 2012). However, they differ in how they suggest the primary mechanisms work. The effects the theories suggest are blurred in the sense of cause and effect: does a reduction in stress levels allow someone to concentrate better or does replenished direct attention help reduce stress?

Both these assertions are controversial in the field of environmental psychology, yet much research falls under either both or one of these theories.

Mental Health and Nature Policy

To what degree these theories influence policy is debated but it is clear that in recent years, especially after the recent pandemic, that nature spaces are becoming an increasing priority for mental health provision. Research has evidenced that we need to shift our attention from focusing on people visiting green spaces to how we interact and connect with nature close to home through simple activities (Mental Health Foundation, 2021). The Mental Health Foundation suggests from their research findings that we need to focus on six main areas in policy:

  1. Facilitating connection with nature
  2. Protecting the natural environment and restoring biodiversity
  3. Improving access to nature
  4. Making green spaces safe for all
  5. Using the planning system and urban design to improve the visibility of nature in every local area
  6. Developing a life – long relationship with nature.

Through our projects at Froglife we provide ways for people to interact with the environment instead of simply just being in it.

Promotion of Physical activity

Green spaces such as nature reserves, wilderness environments and urban parks also promote certain behaviours, such as encouraging physical activity within the space, which is a pro-mental health behaviour. Experimental studies have shown that not only do green spaces promote experience but they may be better for mental health than activity in other environments. Those that perform exercise in natural environments once a week are at about half the risk of poor mental health as those that don’t (Mitchell, 2013). Participation and involvement in nature is often tied to physical activities such as gardening or farming, trekking or running: the evidence of the benefits of this promotes the idea that green spaces should be seen as an essential health resource (Pretty, 2004).

There are many more benefits associated with natural green spaces. However, in terms of mental well-being, greener areas have been associated with a sustained improvement in mental health, highlighting the significance of green spaces, especially in urban areas. They provide not only a habitat for wildlife but also sustainable public health benefits (Alcock et al, 2014). Many studies have shown that more time spent in nature is associated with better mental health, independent of culture and climatic contexts, as well as the promotion of physical activity.

In addition to the wildlife and environmental benefits of conserving nature spaces, especially in urban areas, we also benefit in many ways from these natural spaces. This gives us even more reason to continue to protect our wildlife and conserve our natural areas and green space.

References

Alcock, I, et al., 2014. Longitudinal Effects on Mental Health of Moving to Greener and Less Green Urban Areas. Environmental Science & Technology , 48, 1247-1255.

Berman, M.G, et al., 2012. Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 140, 300-305.

Bratman, M.G, et al., 2012. The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Issue: The Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology), 1249, 118-136.

Collins, A.M., 2014. Destruction of urban green spaces: A problem beyond urbanization in Kumasi city (Ghana). American Joural of Environmental Protection, 3, 1-9.

Conniff, A, et al., 2016. A methodological approach to understanding the wellbeing and restorative benefits associated with greenspace. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 19, 103-109

Cox, D.T.C, et al., 2018. The impact of urbanisation on nature dose and the implications for human health. Landscape and Urban Planning, 179, 72-82.

Kaplan, R, et al., 1989. The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Mental Health Foundation, 2021. Nature- How Connecting with nature benefits our mental health. Published on-line.

Mitchell, R., 2013. Is physical activity in natural environments better for mental health than physical activity in other environments? Social Science & Medicine, 91, 130-134.

Park, B.J, et al., 2010. The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine, 15, 18-26.

Pretty, P. J., 2004. How nature contributes to mental and physical health. Spirituality and Health International, 5, 68-78.

Ribeiro, A.I, et al., 2021. Exposure to nature and mental health outcomes during COVID-19 lockdown. A comparison between Portugal and Spain. Environment International, 154 article 106664.

Ulrich, R. S., 1981. Natural Versus Urban Scenes: Some Psychophysiological Effects. Environment and Behavior 13, 523-556.

Ulrich, R. S., et al., 1991. Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11, 201-230.

Van den Berg, A. E, et al., 2010. Green space as a buffer between stressful life events and health. Social Science & Medicine, 70, 1203-1210.

Wells, N.M. & Evans, G.W., 2003. Nearby Nature: A Buffer of Life Stress among Rural Children. Environment and Behavior, 35, 311-330.

Transforming Your Garden into a Frog Paradise.

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(Many thanks to Jennifer Dawson for this guest blog!) 

According to a recent survey, the number of frogs spotted in domestic gardens has fallen by 17% since 2012.  Frogs consume a large amount of insects, in particular mosquitoes, which can transmit illness to humans, and frogs also keep garden pests under control. Frogs (including their eggs and tadpoles) in turn are a source of food to other wildlife, such as birds, beetles and dragonflies – they are an essential animal in our precious ecosystem. Providing a space for frogs in your garden will help them to thrive. With the right planting, and of course a pond or water source, your garden can become a safe haven for frogs. 

Grasses and lawn 

Your lawn may look nice clipped back short, but by leaving your grass longer, it can provide frogs with the perfect place for foraging and shelter. Creating a nature-friendly lawn is easy – don’t mow the grass so often and encourage the wild flowers. It is also extremely important that you don’t use any pesticides or fertilizers that have harmful chemicals in them. Commercial weed killers will kill off the insects and pollinators that are not only essential to the environment, but also provide a valuable food source to frogs. Mixing up several different species of grass seed will help to cultivate a variety of flowers, attracting many different creatures. 

Frog shelters

During the day, frogs stay out of harsh sunlight to avoid becoming dehydrated. At this time they will retreat to the shady and damp areas of your garden. You can help them by creating shelters around your garden for them to hide in. An upturned terracotta flower pot propped open with a stone, makes the perfect frog housing. You could also arrange a pile of stones into a small cave, and cut back the bottoms of any bushes or hedges so that frogs can find shelter underneath. 

Plants and water sources

Frogs don’t drink through their mouths, unlike many animals. Instead they absorb moisture through their skin. This is why it is essential that they have a permanent water source in your garden. A small wildlife pond is always a good option. You could also place several smaller containers of water in the shady areas of your garden for frogs to sit in. Submerged plants in your pond make additional shelter and will attract frogs, The plants also absorb excess phosphorus and nitrogen. Water Violet, Rigid Hornwort and Spiked Water Milfoil are good choices for a garden pond and require little assistance in growing. Marginal plants like Water Mint will provide an access point for frogs to enter the water. 

The number of frogs found in gardens has fallen and will continue to do so if we don’t provide them with suitable habitat. If we want them to survive, we need to help frogs by creating a safe haven for them in our gardens. 

 

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