The coalition programme: good news for wildlife and the countryside?
The UK’s new coalition government has published a massive shopping-list of promises, calling it the Coalition Programme. It’s a bit
Read moreWildlife & countryside news
Government pro-chips website batters National Parks
Earlier on this month we learnt that the government is to review official websites. Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude promised
Read moreIs this the end for the Countryside Management Association… or a new beginning?
Way back in the 1980s a young ranger, still wet behind the ears, joined the Association of Countryside Rangers. The
Read moreRemember that story about 75% of government websites closing down?
New minister Francis Maude was anxious to start early with some tough action, so in June he announced a bonfire
Read moreThe Nature of Harming ‘award’
Guest blog by Mark Avery I have a feeling that nature conservationists are too nice. Well, I’m trying hard not
Read morePlanning application rejected by fairies
Perhaps there’s hope. The Ranger spends an uncomfortable amount of time these days delving into the murky depths of the
Read moreNick Baker breaks the fourth wall with ‘Beautiful Freaks’
The first time the Virtual Ranger met Nick Baker he was presenting prizes at the British Wildlife Photography Awards. Stricken
Read moreFly world set abuzz by proposal to rename Drosophila
It might have been a while ago but if you ever studied biology at any kind of advanced level the
Read moreWelcome to the Woods: the Forestry Commission is serious about play
Is it OK to play in the woods? Well, is it? It seems that the answer is often assumed by
Read moreSnow: is it the council’s fault?
The Isle of Wight, like the rest of England, is shrouded with snow and ice. It’s fun – for the
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