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Press releases, news and statements.

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Journalists are welcome to contact:

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Press Releases and Statements

Statement from Plantlife – Scottish Government’s strategy may not be enough to restore nature
27 November 2024

Statement from Plantlife – Scottish Government's strategy may not be enough to restore nature

Statement from Plantlife – New tree planting must not replace existing habitats of high nature value in Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
25 November 2024 Wildflowers growing in a meadow with cattle behind

Statement from Plantlife – New tree planting must not replace existing habitats of high nature value in Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

Datganiad gan Plantlife – Ni ddylai plannu coed newydd ddisodli cynefinoedd presennol sydd o werth uchel i fyd natur yng Nghynllun Ffermio Cynaliadwy (SFS) Llywodraeth Cymru.
25 Tachwedd 2024Wildflowers growing in a meadow with cattle behind

Datganiad gan Plantlife – Ni ddylai plannu coed newydd ddisodli cynefinoedd presennol sydd o werth uchel i fyd natur yng Nghynllun Ffermio Cynaliadwy (SFS) Llywodraeth Cymru.

New Hope for Dorset Meadows as Ryewater Farm Nature Reserve Expands
31 October 2024Species-rich meadow at Ryewater Farm nature reserve

New Hope for Dorset Meadows as Ryewater Farm Nature Reserve Expands

Plantlife’s Ryewater Farm Nature Reserve near Corscombe, North Dorset, is to be expanded following the purchase of 4.45 acres (1.8ha) of land neighbouring the existing site, so it can be restored to species-rich grassland.

Statement from Plantlife – New Nature Envoy must ensure that the UK leads by example in delivering rapid and positive action for nature recovery around the world
21 October 2024Wildflower meadow bursting with yellow dandelions and rolling hills in the background

Statement from Plantlife – New Nature Envoy must ensure that the UK leads by example in delivering rapid and positive action for nature recovery around the world

Nicola Hutchinson, Director of Conservation, Plantlife said: “We welcome the appointment of Ruth Davis, a former Plantlife member of staff, as the UK’s first special envoy for nature. It demonstrates that the Government is serious about pushing for global action on protecting and restoring the natural environment and reversing the rapid decline in biodiversity." Read the full statement below.

Statement from Plantlife – Fungi: The once forgotten kingdom
16 October 2024

Statement from Plantlife – Fungi: The once forgotten kingdom

Nicola Hutchinson, Director of Conservation, Plantlife, said: “Plantlife is delighted to see fungi recognised as an independent kingdom of life through this new pledge. It endorses the critical roles of fungi across so many aspects of our lives which, historically, have failed to be a priority for conservation action." Read the full statement below.

Hope for rare woodland flower as Scottish conservation project is roaring success in the Cairngorms National Park
12 September 2024Star shaped white flower with 5 petals.

Hope for rare woodland flower as Scottish conservation project is roaring success in the Cairngorms National Park

The rare and illusive One-flowered Wintergreen Moneses uniflora, a small flowering plant found in pine woodlands, has defied expectations of Plantlife Scotland and partners in the UK’s first ever project to restore the species.

Major retailers, B&Q and the Co-op, sign letter urging UK government to legislate to end peat sales
10 September 2024A close up of the different types of mosses found on peatlands, taken by Richard Lindsay

Major retailers, B&Q and the Co-op, sign letter urging UK government to legislate to end peat sales

A letter signed by more than 100 retailers, compost manufacturers, nursery owners and conservation charities calls on Keir Starmer and his cabinet to urgently legislate to end peat sales – bringing an end to years of uncertainty.

Join the waxcap hunt: charity calls on public to report sightings of rare colourful fungi
2 September 2024A close up of a pretty pink Ballerina Waxcap in grassland, showcasing the gills on the underside

Join the waxcap hunt: charity calls on public to report sightings of rare colourful fungi

Conservation charity Plantlife is today calling on people across England, Wales and Scotland to take part in this year’s Waxcap Watch (2 September – 31 December 2024) to help conservationists both protect rare grassland fungi and find fragments of surviving ancient meadows.

Extinct plant reintroduced to the wild in Wales after 62 years
25 May 2024person holding a plant with white flowers

Extinct plant reintroduced to the wild in Wales after 62 years

Rosy Saxifrage, a beautiful mountain plant that went extinct in 1962, has been reintroduced into the wild in Wales by Plantlife and partners – marking a significant moment for nature recovery.

Planhigyn diflanedig yn cael ei ailgyflwyno i’r gwyllt yng Nghymru ar ôl 62 mlynedd
25 Mai 2024person holding a plant with white flowers

Planhigyn diflanedig yn cael ei ailgyflwyno i'r gwyllt yng Nghymru ar ôl 62 mlynedd

Mae Tormaen Gwyddelig, planhigyn mynydd hardd a ddiflannodd ym 1962, wedi’i ailgyflwyno i’r gwyllt yng Nghymru gan Plantlife a’i bartneriaid – gan nodi moment arwyddocaol ar gyfer adferiad byd natur.

Plantlife’s No Mow May – Join the movement and let it grow
30 April 2024Garden of buttercups

Plantlife's No Mow May – Join the movement and let it grow

Almost half (46%) of people intend to mow no more than once this May, Plantlife reveals as it launches its blossoming No Mow May campaign encouraging all to mow less and later for nature.

Lansio ymgyrch Mai Di Dor gan Plantlife
30 April 2024Buttercups in front of a house

Lansio ymgyrch Mai Di Dor gan Plantlife

Mae bron i hanner (46%) y bobl yn bwriadu torri eu glaswellt ddim mwy nag unwaith yn ystod mis Mai eleni, yn ôl Plantlife wrth iddo lansio ei ymgyrch Mai Di Dor i annog pawb i dorri llai ac yn hwyrach ar gyfer byd natur.

Iris Hill’s ‘Fragile Nature’ exhibition chronicles a conservation journey
11 January 2023

Iris Hill's 'Fragile Nature' exhibition chronicles a conservation journey

Fragile Nature, a new art exhibition from Plantlife's first ever Artist in Residence, is about to be unveiled. The exhibition highlights rare plants, and explores the relationship between art and conservation.

Plantlife Planting Plant Conservation at the Core of COP28 Climate Talks
6 December 2023Wildflower meadow bursting with yellow dandelions and rolling hills in the background

Plantlife Planting Plant Conservation at the Core of COP28 Climate Talks

Plantlife is teaming up with WWF (the World Wide Fund for Nature) at COP28 to press for better recognition of grasslands and savannahs, alongside other habitats.

Three Hagges Woodmeadow – A New Reserve for Plantlife
4 September 2023A roundhouse surrounded by wildflower meadow and small trees

Three Hagges Woodmeadow – A New Reserve for Plantlife

The new reserve will enable Plantlife to protect wildflowers and fungi, while working at the forefront of conservation efforts to restore grasslands, and to create woodmeadow ecosystems.

Plant Watchers Wanted
6 July 2023Blue flower in a meadow.

Plant Watchers Wanted

Plantlife is calling for volunteers to join a citizen science project, NPMS, that monitors the effect of pressures facing the countryside on wild plants.

All UK Habitats to be Impacted by Exposure to Climate Change
29 June 2023A person holding paper and pencil surveying the habitat for NPMS with a

All UK Habitats to be Impacted by Exposure to Climate Change

All UK habitats to be impacted by exposure to climate change – but some more than others. Read about how the NPMS’ work and a new study bringing together data on the UK’s climate, land cover and ecological monitoring, is deepening our understanding of changes.

10th Anniversary Celebrates Growth of Coronation Meadows
3 June 2023Meadow white, yellow, purple meadow flowers among grass

10th Anniversary Celebrates Growth of Coronation Meadows

Charities involved with the Coronation Meadows project have done an audit revealing a fantastic success. 101 new wildflower meadows have been created or restored since the Coronation Meadows project began a decade ago.

National Highways and Plantlife announce biodiversity boost in Cornwall
24 May 2023meadow full of flowers

National Highways and Plantlife announce biodiversity boost in Cornwall

National Highways and Plantlife have joined forces to launch a new £463,200 Meadow Makers project that will improve habitats in Cornwall, benefitting people, nature and wildlife.

National Highways and Plantlife announce biodiversity boost in Hereford
24 May 2023Three person standing on a field of grass

National Highways and Plantlife announce biodiversity boost in Hereford

National Highways and Plantlife have joined forces to launch a new £372,600 Meadow Makers project that will improve habitats in Hereford, benefitting people, nature and wildlife.

Plantlife welcomes NatureScot’s Objection to Plans for a Luxury Golf Course at Coul Links
19 May 2023

Plantlife welcomes NatureScot’s Objection to Plans for a Luxury Golf Course at Coul Links

We welcome NatureScot’s Objection to the proposal to turn the nationally and internationally protected Coul Links into a golf course and their recognition of the harmful impacts that it will have to the dune system.

Plantlife’s No Mow May – Join the movement and liberate your lawn
1 May 2023No Mow May Plantlife logo with flowers in the background

Plantlife’s No Mow May – Join the movement and liberate your lawn

More and more people are embracing wilder lawns and the bountiful biodiversity benefits they bring says Plantlife, as it reveals that 92.4% of those who surveyed lawns last year chose to No Mow May – give the lawnmower a month off and let wild flowers get summer ready

Glaswelltiroedd Gwydn – New £1m Grassland Project in Wales
28 April 2023

Glaswelltiroedd Gwydn – New £1m Grassland Project in Wales

Plantlife is delighted to be awarded a Nature Networks Fund (round 2) grant of £1 million to restore Welsh grasslands in and around Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). We will be working with PONT and North Wales Wildlife Trust, to deliver grassland conservation across Wales.

Cairngorms grasslands receive funding boost
10 April 2023Blackening Waxcap at Glen Clova, Cairngorms.

Cairngorms grasslands receive funding boost

Plantlife Scotland are delighted to secure £31,500 for the Transformative Action for Cairngorms Grasslands project, to protect these iconic Scottish landscapes against climate change and biodiversity loss.

100 meadows across 100 historic sites over the next decade – English Heritage’s Coronation pledge
7 April 2023Meadow flowers pink and yellow flowers and grass

100 meadows across 100 historic sites over the next decade – English Heritage’s Coronation pledge

To celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, Plantlife is joining forces with English Heritage to enhance and create 100 meadows at their heritage sites. 

Britain’s rare rainforests re-energised by Plantlife and partners’ conservation work
4 April 2023Wistmands Wood Building resilience rainforest

Britain’s rare rainforests re-energised by Plantlife and partners’ conservation work

Plantlife rediscover 15 fragments of lost rainforest and report 60 new species records. Rare and threatened lichens saved from dying trees through emergency translocation operations.