watering canPexel

How can we not have enough water when it rains all the time?

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Water is something many of us in the UK rarely think twice about. It falls generously from the sky in March and April, and flows effortlessly from our taps, but behind that everyday convenience is a growing challenge. Even though it might feel like it’s always raining, the water isn’t always going where it’s needed or staying around long enough to be beneficial. This is why we face hose-pipe bans in summer and why water scarcity in the UK is an increasing concern. The average person in the UK uses around 140 litres of water every day, far higher than in the 1960s.  Read more

Nature is Still Sleeping

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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

Delay your big garden tidy-up: Nature needs the mess 

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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:

  • Wait and Observe: Let the garden “sleep in” to support local ecology. 
  • Protect Pollinators: Many butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects overwinter in dead, hollowed-out plant stems and fallen leaves. 
  • Delay Lawn Care: Avoid mowing, walking on the lawn or wet spring soil to prevent damaging its structure. Soil compaction restricts air and water movement, leading to poor drainage, waterlogging, and limited root growth. It is better to wait until the soil is dry enough to not form a ball in your hand.  

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How Sussex Golf Courses are Embracing Eco-Friendly Practices

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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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Arundel wetlands Centre – Communicating the Message of Nature

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Darren Cool – 07792308722 – www.dcoolimages.com

“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

Birds in February: Challenges, Hope, and the Actions Homeowners Can Take

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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. 

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Joy Carter

Do you “put your face on” before leaving the house?

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Make Up Recycle

Do you “put your face on” before leaving the house?

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. 

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Small but Mighty: Our Charity’s Ripple Effect Across Sussex in 2025

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Small but Mighty: Our Charity’s Ripple Effect Across Sussex in 2025

2025 was truly a bumper year for our small but mighty charity, one that has created powerful ripples of positive change across East and West Sussex. Guided by our three pillars – conserving resources, making food sustainable and restoring biodiversity – we’ve shown what a dedicated community can achieve with passion, collaboration and a shared vision for a greener future.

At the heart of our work is a highly effective team: seven willing trustees, several environmental educators, the equivalent of two full-time employees and a grant writer (not in a pear tree!) This brilliant team is strengthened by an incredible network of volunteers who bring our mission to life in towns, villages, schools and public spaces across Sussex.

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Don’t Go It Alone This Year: Find Purpose in Community Action

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Don’t Go It Alone This Year: Find Purpose in Community Action

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. 

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Try the Kindness Challenge: Why Veganuary is the Perfect New Year’s Resolution

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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.

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