Vicki Hird

Nov 15, 2024 | wildlifetrusts.org | Vicki Hird

Flooding of UK farmland is making the headlines. The Met Office, in their latest State of the UK Climate report, confirmed that the UK has become slightly wetter and significantly hotter over the last few decades. Flooding has contributed to England having its second worst harvest in 2024 since 1983 after record-breaking wet weather last winter. Recent rainstorms have meant many farmers were unable to plants crops.

Oct 24, 2024 | wildlifetrusts.org | Vicki Hird

More plant-based diets are better for nature and climate, as recognised by the UK Government’s own Climate Change Committee, and they’re also better for our health.  The current protein consumption levels in the UK are much higher than needed and we can make space in our diets for inexpensive, healthy and nutritious plant proteins such as beans and pulses.

Sep 19, 2024 | wildlifetrusts.org | Vicki Hird

After years of meetings, public engagement, papers and principles written to influence thinking and policies, a new land-use strategy went undelivered by the previous UK Government. Now, the new administration has committed to producing a Land Use Framework (LUF).  Alongside this commitment, there’s also been several promises that devolution will be applied to decision-making, transferring 'power from Westminster to rural communities'.

Jul 3, 2024 | wildlifetrusts.org | Vicki Hird

Have you noticed local or UK seasonal fruit and vegetables on the shelves? Can you buy interesting local varieties and nature friendly produce? It's not always easy to find, even in peak UK growing seasons.  But you may ask why on earth do the Wildlife Trusts care about horticulture? It occupies such a small amount of land compared to cereals or livestock. There’s not much wildlife in a potato field is there?

Jun 13, 2024 | wildlifetrusts.org | Vicki Hird

The main party manifestos are not promising enough. This means the vital questions on how policies must help farmers in climate adaptation and protecting nature - crucial for food production, wildlife, and our well-being - too often get weak responses or receive too poor a debate.  Yet there is no greater challenge. Over the next decade, as climate extremes multiply resulting in increased droughts and floods, governments must ensure a transformation to resilient farming everywhere.