Chester Zoo has become the first zoo in the UK to be officially recognised as an internationally important botanic garden. The Cheshire-based conservation charity is only the second zoo in Europe to receive a prestigious accreditation from Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the global organisation dedicated to plant conservation.

Lizzie McLaughlin is a passionate advocate for bridging the gap between the public and the farming community. Growing up in Middlesbrough, Teesside, she proudly identifies as a townie who has carved out a remarkable career as an award-winning food and farming podcaster, despite coming from a non-farming background.

A tiny, button-sized snail once thought lost forever has been declared safe from extinction. The greater Bermuda snail was thought to have disappeared until being rediscovered in an alleyway in Bermuda a decade ago. Numbers were boosted through a pioneering breed-to-release programme led by international experts including Chester Zoo conservationists.

A pioneering survey led by the RSPB has confirmed that Dunlin – a rare and declining upland wading bird – are breeding across large areas of suitable habitat in the Cumbrian Pennines, part of the North Pennines National Landscape, offering fresh hope for the species’ future in England.

A successful nature recovery project is branching out into new landscapes, creating and restoring vital wildlife corridors in two of the North York Moors’ most distinctive valleys. GrubsUp! is extending its work into Bransdale and Farndale, thanks to new funding secured through the National Parks Partnerships, supported by global hospitality partner Levy.

With the spring planting season beginning in March and the cost of living still at the forefront of people’s minds, British Garden Centres is here to help families grow their own potatoes, the nation's most consumed vegetable, and reduce household food costs.

Actor Sean Bean is the new host of Get Birding, the multi-award-winning podcast for all birders, from first-timers to experienced field observers. A passionate birder himself, Sean will host the new, always-on series of Get Birding, with the first episode earlier this week – just in time for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend.

Chester Zoo has announced a new spring 2026 date for its 10K, 5K and one-mile running event. The return of the national zoo’s much-loved Run For Nature will take place on a new springtime date, Sunday 29 March 2025, with funds supporting the zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts in the UK.

A camera study has captured amazing images of hedgehogs interacting with UK species in urban settings. Food was found to be the biggest driver of hedgehog visits – but wildlife feeding needs more study. Data supports the theory that gardens are increasingly important habitats for hedgehogs More than four hundred households took part in the survey, perhaps the biggest single-species camera study to take place in the UK.

The White Rose Forest partnership launches ambitious 25-year Strategic Plan to transform North and West Yorkshire’s landscape for communities and nature. The Mayors of West Yorkshire and York and North Yorkshire plant an oak tree to mark the occasion on Woodhouse Moor in Leeds.

Damian Barson is a first-generation farmer who began his journey in September 2021, at the age of 50. He had a clear aim: to prove that farming is accessible at any stage of life.

Chester Zoo has launched a major new programme designed to help visitors improve their wellbeing by immersing themselves in nature. Experts at the Cheshire-based conservation charity will run a series of activities from January 17 until the end of March.

January can feel like the longest month of the year - it’s still dark by 4 o’clock and pay day is an age away. But as it’s also National Walk Your Dog Month, there’s no better excuse to pull on your boots and beat the winter blues with some fresh air, open skies and a scenic walk with your four-legged companion.

Nominations have officially opened for this year’s Schöffel Countryside Awards which return following the success of last year’s inaugural event.

Chester Zoo has set a new all-time visitor record – welcoming more than 2.1million people through its gates in 2025.

It’s been another wild year for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as we took ownership of and found some new species on our reserves, introduced new and innovative methods of looking after wild spaces, and advocated for nature’s protection.

The Ribble Rivers Trust has won a prestigious new national award for wild salmon conservation, supporting a community-led river restoration project that will both protect an endangered British species and help reduce local flood risk.

I hold a licence from Natural England, to keep grey squirrels in captivity “for welfare purposes”. These licences came into effect in December 2019, after the previous licences enabling holders to release them back into the wild were revoked for conservation reasons.

As the festive season starts to fill homes with sparkle and cheer, one day in December stands out for plant lovers and décor enthusiasts alike: Poinsettia Day on December 12th.

As the days grow shorter and the temperature dips, gardeners across the UK are turning their attention to protecting their plants and preparing their gardens for the cold months ahead. Winter might seem like a time for gardens to rest, but the work you do now can make all the difference to how well your plants bounce back in spring.

Yorkshire Water is taking steps to remove its drought permits, following a tenth week of increases to its reservoir levels. As a result of continuous heavy rainfall over the last seven days, reservoir levels are recovering well at 84.6%, up from 80.5% last week, and Hull aquifer levels are 49.4% - up from 46.6%.

A series of innovative river restoration projects in the Clitheroe area are helping to protect local communities from flooding while creating new wildlife habitats and improving river health.

Key figures from across the UK’s agricultural showing scene are celebrating the success and resilience of their showcase events at the home of the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

Winter does not have to mean a dull, lifeless garden, as we all need colour and warmth to cheer us up in the shorter, darker days. With the right plants and a little care, you can enjoy a beautiful outdoor space full of colour and interest throughout the winter months.