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From Three Butterflies to Six Hundred: How Kent Pulled a Species Back From the Edge
The population of the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly in Kent has grown by over 9,000%, rising from fewer than 50 individuals in 2005 to nearly 600 in 2024. This recovery was achieved through collaboration between Butterfly Conservation, Natural England, and farmers, who created new habitats and planted food sources such as cowslips and primroses under government environmental land management schemes. Conservationists describe Kent as the standout example of this approach working, though the species has still declined by 89% across the UK since 1982.
The Rarest Flower in the Forest Has One Last Chance
Somewhere beneath the canopy of an ancient Scottish pinewood, a plant is clinging to existence by the thinnest of threads.
The Stork Question: Should We Be Releasing Ancient Birds Back Into England's Skies?
Natural England has clarified the legal and conservation framework surrounding the release of white storks, black storks, and other vagrant bird species in England. While white stork releases are currently legal without a licence due to their established visiting presence, black storks require a licence as they are considered neither resident nor regular visitors, and neither species is recognised as native under Natural England's definition. Any proposed releases must follow the national Reintroductions and Conservation Translocations Code, including feasibility studies, risk assessments, and stakeholder engagement, with Natural England expressing caution about prioritising such projects.