independent commentator
Last year two individuals, both interested in ‘preserving wildlife’ and ‘birds, science & environment’ respectively, tweeted their own view of the same Scottish sky. Field intel You may be able to see where I’m going with this – or not! When two people, who may not share the same values, have common purpose over working … Continue reading Neutral sky, common ground
The Agriculture Act 2020 slipped quietly into law. Only when talk about cash reached headline pitch, that the full content of this wide-ranging Act started to unfold. As the new Ag Act takes over the driving seat from the 1947 Agric Act, it’s time to get on board now. Range of roving matters It’s still … Continue reading Acting on land
My face-to-face ‘field intel’ trips provide enlightenment as to what people really think. Online is one thing, hearing it direct is another. I muse on how land managers, academics, govt, activists might garner insight from each other. A previous ‘intel’ trip along the Marches fielded views of an environmental activist (who once upon a time … Continue reading Join the dots
Ever since I took my first call from the letters Editor at The Times in 1999, I’ve always written about environmental stuff others often don’t want to write about. Hedgehog populations, horsemeat, sea eagles, badgers, raptor conflict, deer, fungi hunters, little owl culls, wildfires, alien conifers, duck shooting, urban foxes, National Parks, indoor livestock, pesticides, … Continue reading Dear Sir,
Ben Goldsmith was appointed a non-executive director of DEFRA’s board in March 2018. I asked him about a range of environmental and land issues Interview first published by the RICS RY: What is your role in the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)? BG: As an informal adviser to the secretary of state, … Continue reading An informal Defra adviser
An exclusive interview with a previous Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Michael Gove for BBC Countryfile Magazine (first published Feb 2018) RY (Rob Yorke): Firstly, what are your personal connections to rural Britain and where do you love to walk? MG (Michael Gove): Both sides of my family have … Continue reading Gove green
2020 – a year to face up to rocky issues, explore new ground, re-frame narratives while avoiding going down rabbit holes. Updated Nov. Here’s an eclectic take on past and future issues to kick off the year. Most unexpected result – after my talk at an international rewilding conference – an interesting number would wear … Continue reading Rocks and rabbit holes