Environment
What would the extended bottom-trawling ban mean for UK wildlife and fishers?
The proposed ban, which aims to protect important marine life, has been welcomed by environmentalists, but some fishers are concerned.
“It's like bringing them back from the dead”: singing cicadas return to UK after three-decade absence
Once considered extinct, the New Forest cicada is back on British soil thanks to an ambitious reintroduction project.
There's a smarter way to slash your energy bills this summer. Here's how
After surviving 2 catastrophic upheavals during the last 60 million years ecosystems now face humanity’s deadly reckoning
For millions of years, large ecosystems, have astonishingly stayed stable despite extinctions and upheavals. But this will not be the case this time says Helen Pilcher
What exactly is peat – and why is it so important?
Just what is peat? Hannah Blitzer, senior policy officer at the Soil Association, explains why it's so important
Ancient tree 'older than Stonehenge' found in English bog
The 5,000-year-old tree, dug up during restoration works at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire, offers a rare and remarkable glimpse into Britain’s past, say experts.
"A moment I won't forget": rare birds appear at nature reserve hours after 're-wetting' project
Cranes, great egrets and a spoonbill have all been seen at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire, following the completion of the National Trust's largest lowland peat restoration project.
This giant "horror movie" plant can cause skin burns and blindness – and it's taking over the UK
It lies in wait for the unwary and can cause serious skin burns, ulcers, even blindness. Richard Baynes reports from the frontline of the battle against giant hogweed, an invasive plant that’s remarkably hard to kill
“Astonishing” and “rare” explosion of small blue butterflies recorded in Scottish Highlands
Over 500 small blue butterflies were spotted at a single site in Scotland, more than doubling the previous year's count.
‘Deliberately flooded’ village emerges from reservoir after drought reveals its eerie outlines – including dry stone walls and roads
The driest spring in England for over a century has revealed a 'drowned' Cumbrian village
Raccoons, pink salmon and purple clams: these are the latest invasive threats to British wildlife, say experts
UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology updates watchlist of invasive non-native species that could threaten British wildlife in the next 10 years.
“We looked at how we could use the estate radically differently”: All you need to know about Knepp, the UK’s first rewilding project
Everything you need to know about Knepp – the 1,400-hectare farm that has been turned into a ‘wildland’ fit for a safari
You’d probably have to grow your own food after the apocalypse – and scientists say this protein-rich vegetable is the answer
Two New Zealand researchers have found the ultimate superfood for urban agriculture after the apocalypse – with rather surprising results
Supreme Court ruling says wild camping can continue on Dartmoor
The future of wild camping in the national park has now been decided by the Supreme Court
Enormous elk are recolonising Europe – and soon they could be heading for the UK
These large mammals could return to the UK 3,000 years after going extinct as the first stages of new rewilding project get underway.
"Global first" as England’s peatlands mapped in extraordinary detail, offering hope for restoration
Data reveals that 80% of England’s peatlands are dry and degraded – experts hope the new mapping will help their recovery.
Which countries are the size of Wales?
Wales is regularly used as a unit of measurement. But there are many other countries of a similar size that could take its place – can you guess what they are?
“Feelings are running high.” Countryfile’s John Craven on controversial Scottish national park proposal
As the consultation period of a proposed Scottish national park closes, John Craven takes a look at the fierce debate from the locals.
Just what is fog and why is it rapidly vanishing from the UK? And why on earth does fog matter?
As new findings suggest fog may be disappearing from our world, Fergus Collins meets fog chaser Laura Pashby who treasures its power to transform landscapes – and ourselves.
Pen y Fan opens some of the highest-altitude EV charge points in the UK
Pont ar Daf at the foot of Pen y Fan in Wales is the latest National trust site to install electric vehicle chargers as part of an ongoing rollout.
Who owns England? The biggest landowners revealed – and why it matters
Who actually owns the land in England – and why is it important? Find out the history of land ownership in England.
Smooth snakes, adders and sand lizards: UK national park to create huge haven for rare reptiles
Conservationists are enhancing 250 hectares of heathland – an area roughly the size of 350 football pitches.
A new national forest: 20 million trees to be planted in west of England by 2050
The Western Forest – the UK's first national forest for 30 years – will cover up to 50,000 hectares, stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips.
Why is the sea salty when our rivers aren't?
Ever thought why seawater is so salty? We explain
