Latest news with #rewilding
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts stunned after record-breaking surge in rare butterfly sightings: 'None of us want summer 2025 to ever end'
Ecologists in West Sussex recently recorded a jaw-dropping 283 purple emperor butterflies in a single day at the Knepp Castle Estate, a 3,500-acre rewilding project in the county. It's an all-time high for the site — and a major milestone for the conservation of the vulnerable species, The Guardian reported. The purple emperor is noted for being an elusive butterfly species — and for having some unusual behavior. According to The Guardian, the pretty purple butterflies feed on dung and animal carcasses — or fermented tree sap that makes them "tipsy." It's an unexpectedly grotesque diet for a butterfly, especially one this breathtaking. Though the butterfly species is listed as wildlife of "least concern" by Great Britain's Red List, the species is listed as a "medium" conservation priority by Butterfly Conservation. That's because populations are dispersing and dropping due to habitat loss, a consequence of land development and rising global temperatures. And it's exactly why the large population sighting at Knepp is so exciting. According to The Guardian, experts attribute the boost in sightings to Knepp's pioneering "process-led" rewilding project. Started in 2001, the project transformed former farmland into a thriving natural habitat for the butterfly species. Rewilding projects are essential to supporting vulnerable wildlife and native plant life impacted by climate shifts and pollution. Knepp's rewilding project includes restoring natural habitats, reintroducing native wildlife and plant life, monitoring the area's ecosystem, and much more. This approach helps to restore natural ecosystems, boost biodiversity, and build resilience against future climate shifts. Rewilded landscapes — including forests, wetlands, and grasslands — can act as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing pollution from the atmosphere. These areas also help regulate water cycles and create more stable, self-sustaining environments, which are crucial in the face of a warming world. Particularly key to the purple emperor's resurgence is the growth of sallow scrub in the area, a crucial plant for the purple emperor's egg-laying, according to Rewilding Britain. Ecologists at Knepp say the plant has flourished, thanks to natural dispersal from roaming livestock like pigs and ponies. Knepp's butterfly expert, Neil Hulme, told The Guardian that purple emperor populations naturally fluctuate year to year, so it may be premature to celebrate. Still, he highlighted Knepp as a "top-quality rewilded landscape" — and not only for the purple emperor butterfly. Other butterfly species, including purple hairstreaks and the silver-washed fritillary, are also being sighted in similar record numbers in the area. Hulme told The Guardian Knepp has "clouds of butterflies everywhere," adding that "none of us want summer 2025 to ever end." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Local officials slam woman with $2,000 fine for unconventional front lawn: 'That front yard looks hideous'
Local officials slam woman with $2,000 fine for unconventional front lawn: 'That front yard looks hideous' A Long Island woman faced fines for the supposed offense of replacing her lawn with native plants, CBS News reported. New Hyde Park, New York, resident Xilin Zhang made the decision to transform her yard, per CBS, participating in a growing "rewilding" movement. "It's a very natural look. There's tons of butterflies and bees and birds coming. ... It's not just some grass doing nothing," Zhang told CBS. Rewilding your yard is a practice growing in prominence — it typically entails replacing some or all foliage with indigenous greenery and, oftentimes, swapping out monoculture grass for a native lawn. The benefits of planting natives and switching away from a traditional lawn are manifold. They require fewer resources such as water, cost less to maintain, provide crucial support for pollinators, and — because native plants are suited to their areas — don't require nearly as much work. However, there's one prominent downside in some places, with New Hyde Park being one of them: homeowners associations (or HOA bylaws), neighborhood busybodies, and sometimes local code enforcers have been known to object to or even sanction rewilded yards. In Zhang's case, the village in Nassau County took exception to her native plants. In particular, Mayor Christopher Devane expressed disdain for her garden. "When ugly is that overwhelming, you have to call it what it is. That front yard looks hideous," Devane opined. Devane's personal assessment wasn't the only hurdle Zhang faced after rewilding her yard — she was given a summons with a potential fine of up to $2,000, per CBS. Confusing matters is the fact that New Hyde Park is in the Towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead, the latter of which has an initiative that encourages native plants — and even offers homeowners grants to facilitate rewilding. Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? No way Definitely Only certain tools I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While Zhang's efforts were encouraged by the Town of North Hempstead, New Hyde Park claimed her yard violated village code. Across Long Island, groups such as ReWild Long Island have endeavored to convert gardeners — particularly because the chemicals used to maintain code-compliant lawns have been catastrophic for the health of the Great South Bay. Neighboring Suffolk County has the highest rate of pesticide use in the state, and scientists at Stony Brook University determined that a record number of harmful algal blooms and dead zones occurred last summer. "There are lots of towns on Long Island which are encouraging people to put in wild flowers because they don't want all that pollution going into the bay," ReWild Long Island President Raju Rajan explained. Ultimately, Zhang was permitted to keep her native plant lawn with one caveat: "as long as all plants stay under 4 feet tall," per News 12 Long Island. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi royal reserve welcomes Nubian ibex twins
RIYADH: Two Nubian ibexes have been born at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, marking the first successful breeding of the goat species as part of the reserve's rewilding program, part of the ongoing restoration of 23 native species in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by the reserve's development authority. The Nubian ibex is listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 5,000 mature individuals remaining worldwide. Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the reserve, told Arab News: 'The reserve's rewilding strategy follows scientific best practices. Historically native species are reintroduced and managed by vets and specialist rangers.' He added: 'This includes a controlled diet and constant monitoring to ensure optimal breeding conditions. Programs are underway to restore ibex ecosystems to support viable wild populations under ranger protection.' The Nubian ibex is the smallest of five ibex species and is well adapted to Saudi Arabia's arid mountains. Their concave hooves help them navigate steep cliffs, making the reserve's terrain a suitable habitat for them. Ancient petroglyphs in the area document the ibex's historical presence there. Zaloumis said the births mean that four species have now been successfully bred in the program: the Nubian ibex, the Arabian oryx, the sand gazelle, and the mountain gazelle. The reserve's sandstone massif Jabal Qaraqir, currently on Saudi Arabia's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, provides refuge for a number of species, with its cliffs and Wadi Al-Disah Valley offering year-round water and natural protection. The reserve's Integrated Development Plan 'ensures a science-based approach to habitat restoration,' according to a statement. So far, 11 of the 23 native species selected for reintroduction have returned to the wild, with populations growing through collaborative conservation efforts, including a partnership with the National Center for Wildlife. The 24,500 sq. km reserve extends from the Harrat lava plains to the Red Sea, linking NEOM, Red Sea Global, and AlUla. It hosts the Public Investment Fund's Wadi Al-Disah project and Red Sea Global's Destination AMAALA. The reserve covers 15 different ecosystems. And while it represents just one percent of the Kingdom's land and 1.8 percent of its marine area, it contains more than half of the Kingdom's species — making it among the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East. The reserve is 'focused on restoring and conserving natural and cultural environments, including reintroducing 23 historically native species such as the Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian oryx, and Lappet-faced vulture' as part of its rewilding program.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
Jeremy Leggett wins US$500,000 Blue Planet Prize
This award is presented by the Asahi Glass Foundation of Japan for outstanding achievement in helping provide solutions to global environmental problems. Jeremy Leggett of the UK, has pioneered the production of solar technology for ordinary households, and now leads the rewilding of vast areas of the Scottish Highlands in tandem with local residents and farmers. His efforts have shown how carbon emissions can be drastically reduced and how such moves can be an excellent money-making investment, not as is sometimes claimed, a drain on the economy. Blue Planet Prize Guest Jeremy Leggett CEO Highlands Rewilding Presenter Robyn Williams Producer David Fisher
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
New public access to be given to River Roding in Ilford
A £3m regeneration scheme in Ilford will reopen access to the "almost forgotten" River Roding, developers Ilford Arrival includes a new bridge, pocket park, riverside walk and the rewilding of a local golf course, which the Mayor of London's office hopes will open up long-neglected public access to the River was granted by the mayor last August through the £12m investment scheme the Greater London Authority's Civic Partnership Programme (CPP).The CPP targets suffering areas to "combat long-standing inequalities that have been exacerbated by Covid-19, the cost-of-living crisis and the climate emergency". Daniel Rea, founding director of Periscope which is designing the Arrival, said: "Redbridge is one of London's greenest boroughs and Ilford is blessed with the River Roding and the Roding Valley."But, as it stands, what should be a public amenity is almost forgotten."The latest stage of development has involved consulting with a group of girls and young women between the ages of 16 and Rea added: "At a time of housing need and with enormous pressure to build, it's crucial that local people are empowered to shape their own neighbourhoods."Too often regeneration is something that is done to communities, rather than with them. This approach gives them real agency."Participants have met several times since April to discuss economics and perceptions of the town centre. Diverse Dialogues has been appointed to lead the team made up of girls and young women, having put together a similar group during the development of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic director Kuljeet Sibia said she wanted to avoid demographics being marginalised by "not just listening to communities but working alongside them and ensuring they are informed decision-makers in shaping the future of their neighbourhood".
