Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sprightly Stepping into 2025: ‘Cos We’re “Born to be Alive”

A new year can sometimes seem negative: another year older, political, economic and climatic problems; however, it can be an opportunity that represents a liminal threshold to positive change. I don’t just mean those new year’s resolutions that last a few weeks until old habits kick in again, what I mean is real change, aContinue reading “Sprightly Stepping into 2025: ‘Cos We’re “Born to be Alive””

A Puzzling Christmas Chalking

We meet at the City Puzzle Garden in Plymouth. It’s situated next to a busy shopping centre; but why, we wondered, is it so named…A puzzle indeed, until we read the sign. That bottom left red piece tells the tale. This little urban green space is only temporary and earmarked for development, it seems. TheContinue reading “A Puzzling Christmas Chalking”

The Dizzying Spectacle of Dizzard ðŸŒ³ðŸŒ³ðŸŒ³

After our visit to Cabilla, Guy Shrubsole, author of the Lost Rainforests of Britain book, said: “Have you been to Dizzard yet, it’s even bigger?”  Dizzard…? Where’s Dizzard…? And so the investigation began on this North Cornwall temperate rainforest. We headed for our destination, on the coastline, near Millook, with its stunning chevron rock formations,whichContinue reading “The Dizzying Spectacle of Dizzard ðŸŒ³ðŸŒ³ðŸŒ³”

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?”