Environment
What's the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK?
As temperatures soar to 34°C in parts of the UK this weekend, we ask, what is the hottest it has ever been?
There's a gigantic bird in Scotland that's on the brink of extinction. Here's how deer carcasses could save it
There are estimated to be just 500 capercaillies left in the wild – but scientists say there is hope for the large bird thanks to an intriguing conservation method known as 'diversionary feeding'.
Ash woodland is evolving resistance to ash dieback, say experts
Scientists say natural selection is helping the trees fight the deadly fungal disease, which has decimated forests across Britain and much of Europe.
Cases of rare but deadly rat lungworm disease – that can spread to humans – reported in animals in Spain
The disease comes from a parasitic nematode worm that infects slugs and snails – it can then be passed on to dogs, humans and other animals.
Plastic wet wipes to be banned in Wales
Wales leads the UK by banning plastic wet wipes from December 2026.
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.
