Mountain Bikers Are Rewilding Land by Paying the Government to Do It

Mountain Bikers Are Rewilding Land by Paying the Government to Do It

Nonnative species like Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine were often favored, because of their qualities as a timber crop. Trees would be planted in “coupes”—areas of several acres—at the same time, “and they would plant them in straight lines, so that they’re easier to harvest.” All of this led to a forest that was “genetically … Read more

‘Being near trees helps you live longer,’ says Dr Tara Swart

‘Being near trees helps you live longer,’ says Dr Tara Swart

It may have been widely ridiculed but it appears that tree hugging might, in fact, relieve stress and lead to a longer life, says a new study. Roaming through woods and forests while ­tuning in to the birdsong actually releases chemicals which improve our immune system, it is claimed. Dr Tara Swart, lecturer at The … Read more

Recluse Spider Season Is a Myth

Recluse Spider Season Is a Myth

This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish. Summer arrives, and with it comes an arachnophobic furor—frantic reports about the intrusion of recluse spiders into our homes. Also known as fiddlebacks or violin spiders, these are arachnids of the genus Loxosceles. They’re found in warm areas across the world, … Read more

Citizen Zoo Is Rewilding the UK, One Grasshopper at a Time

Citizen Zoo Is Rewilding the UK, One Grasshopper at a Time

The large marsh grasshopper was once ever-present across Eastern England’s wetlands. But after decades of habitat destruction, these handsome insects are now fragmented and locally extinct, holding out in the wettest fens, valleys, and peat bogs of the New Forest and Dorset. Now, London-based Citizen Zoo is trying to bring them back—and it’s planning to … Read more

Tree Wisdom: a guide to nature’s restorative energy and wellbeing | Books | Entertainment

Tree Wisdom: a guide to nature’s restorative energy and wellbeing | Books | Entertainment

Tree Wisdom: a guide to nature’s restorative energy and wellbeing (Image: Getty) The UK itself is home to 123 million of them and has many historic giants, like the 1,000-year-old Allerton Oak in Liverpool. Sadly, over the last century, Britain has lost 50 per cent of its ancient woodland – planted before or during the … Read more