When we were offered a last minute opportunity to visit Cabilla, the temperate rainforest on Bodmin Moor, we jumped at the chance. Despite appearing in the same book, The Lost Rainforests of Britain, by Guy Shrubsole, we had never experienced this ancient woodland environment or met its guardian, Merlin Hanbury-Tenison and, so, off we went.Continue reading “Temperate Rainforests and Ancient Woodlands: a visit to Cabilla”
Author Archives: #rebelbotanists
Making Connections
What connects Tyria jacobaeae and Eristalis tenax, or, I could say, what links Cinnabar moths and Common Drone flies? Well, as my photo evidences, the answer is Ragwort. This bright bunch of Ragwort flowers caught my eye, as I walked briskly from Mutley Plain, in Plymouth. But, what really caught my eye was the numberContinue reading “Making Connections”
“Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers”
This little poem, written in 1557 by Thomas Tucker, identified the seasonal British weather; although, I think we could all agree that, this year those “sweet April showers” were more like deluges at times! Such is the effect of climate warming: less predictable and more dramatic. Today, with the May sunshine to warm us, weContinue reading ““Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers””
Are you Brave Enough to be a Tree Hugger?
If you think tree huggers are ‘hippy- dippy time-wasters’ think again! This term is often, and incorrectly, used as a flippant pejorative, but it stems from a story of stunning defiance and vicious bloodshed. The true etymology of this phrase comes from the courageous souls who laid down their lives to save the lives ofContinue reading “Are you Brave Enough to be a Tree Hugger?”
A Celebration of Education: a rhizomatic rhythm
On the 8th May 2024, we held two chalking events to celebrate the birthday and on-going work of Sir David Attenborough, at the fantastic age of 98 years. The work he has carried out in researching and facilitating natural history to millions of people across the world has, I’m sure, given rise to so manyContinue reading “A Celebration of Education: a rhizomatic rhythm”
Lost Chalks; Lost Words
On a recent visit to London, I ventured out one day and left my chalks behind. Heck, how could I do such a thing?! Chalks are the ‘weapons of mass education’ which should be carried at all times, by a true Rebel Botanist: always ready for street art education, to highlight urban wildlife. Despite theContinue reading “Lost Chalks; Lost Words”
Can A.I. Change the World?
“Artificial Intelligence enables us to track environmental footprints, extreme weather events, carbon emissions, and biodiversity loss. But can it help us to find solutions to tackle some of our society’s most pressing environmental issues? AI has a staggering carbon footprint itself – but can it help us find solutions in a rapidly changing climate?” https://www.agile-rabbit.com/event/environmental-intelligence-can-ai-change-the-world/Continue reading “Can A.I. Change the World?”
Thresholds of Change
Happy New Year Everyone! 😃🌼🌿🌳 We have all well and truly stepped into 2024, no matter where on this planet you live. We have stepped over the manmade objective threshold of time, from one year to the next, and yet moved back to the routine of work, study and life. Perhaps one day is alreadyContinue reading “Thresholds of Change”
The Sycamore Gap; ‘Woodman, Spare the Axe’
The distress caused by the “pointless and mindless” felling of the 300-year old Sycamore Gap is still evident a week later, as highlighted on Mark Radcliffe’s BBC2, Folk Show, on the 4th October. http://(https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001qvbx) He made this tree the theme of his show, engaging links to nature and Hadrian’s Wall, where it had stood: anContinue reading “The Sycamore Gap; ‘Woodman, Spare the Axe’”
Rebels, Roamers and Guerillas Chalk the Streets of Totnes! 😄
We were joined by Guy Shrubsole (www.lostrainforestsofbritain.org, http://www.righttoroam.org.uk) when we visited Totnes, in Devon, to identify and chalk the names of the wildplants we found along the streets. We use the common and Latin names of the plants. Our colourful street art style attracts people to look and learn – it’s not only educational, butContinue reading “Rebels, Roamers and Guerillas Chalk the Streets of Totnes! 😄”
#RebelBotanists 