It’s nearly Spring and our natural inclination is to clean up, tidy away and be ready for relaxing in the garden. It seems ‘natural’ to spray weeds and reach for quick-fix garden cleaners — but actually it’s not helpful to Nature!
If we think about the hidden life that quietly depends on those fallen leaves, last season’s stems, and the “untidy” parts of our gardens, we begin to realise that what looks like mess to us is lifeline to essential organisms. Read more
Nature is still sleeping, so the best thing you can do is sit back and relax. Delay your spring garden clean-up until temperatures are consistently above 10°C for at least a week—often late April or when apple trees bloom. Top tips for an untidy garden and its benefits:
The stunning Sussex coastline and rolling downs provide a unique setting for the region’s golf courses. As environmental awareness grows and climate challenges intensify, these courses recognise that sustainability is essential for their future.
Sussex is an environmentally sensitive region, with unique coastal ecosystems, ancient woodlands, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Careful stewardship is essential to maintain the county’s biodiversity, particularly as many courses operate within landscapes of national significance. Sustainability also ensures long-term viability, addressing the sport’s ecological impact. As the team at Golf Swing Systems highlights, “with sprawling golf links courses that require significant resources to maintain, it’s natural to question the sport’s ecological impact”. Adopting green practices today better positions courses to handle high energy costs, water restrictions, and stricter environmental regulations.
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“The most effective way to save the threatened and decimated natural world is to cause people to fall in love with it again-with its beauty and its reality” This was the vision of Sir Peter Scott, the tireless broadcaster and naturalist who established the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. We visited the WWT’s Arundel Wetland Centre in the year of its 50th anniversary, the WWT’s 80th, just before World Wetlands Day on 2 February, to investigate his legacy.
We started our morning by meeting Marketing and Communications Manager Pat Warren and Reserve manager Suzi Lanaway in the impressive Visitors Centre. It’s a bright open space with huge picture windows looking out over a large lake bustling with all kinds of water birds such as geese, ducks and teals. As we sipped our coffee and talked, we couldn’t fail to notice the occasional blue flash of a kingfisher darting to the water a few feet from where we sat. Read more
February is a pivotal month for the UK’s garden birds. As winter tightens its grip and natural food sources run low, feathered visitors depend more than ever on the habitats and help we provide. And while the joy of watching birds brighten our gardens remains undiminished, the latest Big Garden Birdwatch reminds us that the broader picture is cause for concern.
Make Up Recycle
Most of us do. Going out bare-faced still feels like a bold move. Yet from Pamela Anderson and Alicia Keys to Helen Mirren and Bella Hadid, more people—including plenty of Sussex shoppers—are choosing to skip the make-up and embrace what’s already there.
At the same time, the beauty industry has been quietly having a glow-up of its own—but not always the good kind. As demand has soared so has the environmental footprint. Self-care, it turns out, isn’t always kind to the planet.
As the calendar turns, many of us feel the familiar pull of fresh starts and good intentions. New Year’s resolutions promise change, yet they often fade as winter wears on. A recent survey by YouGov plc found that one in five Britons say they intend to make New Year’s resolutions for 2026. While four in ten say they managed to keep all of their 2025 resolutions, most people admit they give up by February – often because goals are too vague or there’s no clear plan to support lasting change.
Perhaps it’s time to rethink what a “successful” resolution looks like. Instead of drastic overhauls, this year could be about mindful, small, consistent habits that last a lifetime. Sustainable change is rarely loud or dramatic; it grows quietly through daily choices. Incorporating elements of mental and physical wellbeing, finding ways to connect with family, community and nature, and focusing on learning and kindness can make resolutions feel nourishing rather than punishing. This approach shifts us away from the pressure of a “new year, new you” mentality and towards sustainable personal growth, community connection and self-compassion.
VEGANUARY is a straightforward concept: challenging non-vegans to eat a vegan diet for the whole month of January. It’s the ideal New Year’s resolution for anyone interested in adopting a kinder and healthier way of living. And best of all, with all the support and resources available today, this is a resolution that’s easy to stick to!
The journey to veganism often begins with an increasing awareness of the ethical issues surrounding factory production and the exploitation of animals for meat, fish, and dairy products. For others, the primary motivation is personal health, as mounting evidence shows that a thoughtfully planned, plant-based diet can unlock significant long-term health benefits.
On 27 November 2025, Central Hall Westminster, London, was buzzing with an invite-only audience of around 1,250 politicians, scientists and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media. Also in attendance were familiar faces like Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, Jennifer Saunders, Mark Rylance, Brian Eno, Roger Harrabin and four of the Sussex Green Living team.
They learnt about the latest implications for health, food, national security and the economy. They weren’t there for show. They came because the National Emergency Briefing, convened by brothers Simon and Nick Oldridge, brought together some of the UK’s most respected scientific voices to share the latest evidence on nature and climate risks — with the solutions already proving effective.
Christmas is a time of joy but also a time of overspending and overconsumption. But this year could be different, starting with your wardrobe. What if this festive season, you bought nothing new to wear?
Before you panic about party season, hear me out. The fashion industry produces 100 billion garments annually, yet we wear items an average of just seven times before discarding them according to The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Meanwhile, recycling that glittery party dress isn’t the solution we imagine – mixed fabrics are virtually impossible to separate and recycle effectively.
The White House
Coolham Lane
Coneyhurst
RH14 9DH
Sussex Green Living
Joy Carter