Leave your leaves (oct25)
Do you love a tidy garden? Your wildlife doesn’t. 🍂 Do you sweep up your leaves or blow them away? Why not leave them instead? They’re perfect for sheltering insects that feed robins, blackbirds and wrens, and they keep soil life humming. Hedgehogs, frogs and toads love them too. Of course, you may need to […]
Calling new Archbishop to lead on protecting nature (Oct25)
We’ll soon have a new Archbishop of Canterbury. Normally, this would pass me by — I’m an atheist and not interested in religion. But I’ve been sent a campaign letter from Rewild Church Land that struck a chord. The campaign calls on the Church of England – one of the UK’s top ten landowners – […]
No more Wilding Weekends – but Wilding is on the Rise…(jun25)
Have you ever seen a hedgehog, a hare or a barn owl? Heard the song of a nightingale or the unmistakable call of a cuckoo? Have you stood in a summer meadow and listened to the hum of insects? Many people haven’t. And what’s worse – many don’t realise what’s missing. These sights and sounds […]
How René Haller became a Wilding Pioneer – in Africa (Mar25)
René Haller transformed the barren landscape on the Kenyan coast from quarrying to a thriving eco-system. This is the first of two blogs about him and the organisation he inspired – The Haller Foundation. Click here for the second blog – René Haller – An Inspirational Man. THE HOUSE OF EDEN Perhaps, Renée’s extraordinary life […]
In conversation with Isabella Tree (Nov23)!!
The Electric Palace in Bridport was packed. The Bridport Literary Festival or Bridlit had managed to get Isabella Tree to come and talk to me in front of the 400 people who were able to get tickets. The focus was the newly published ‘The Book of Wilding‘ which is an easy-to-read manual on what can be done on […]
Why do scything & wilding go hand in hand (oct23)
Our scything day was joyous. Watching the scythers sweep through the grass was a totally different experience from using a ride-on mower or strimmer. And, I learned that there are multiple benefits to this approach too. For a start, it’s far better for wildlife that may be lurking in the undergrowth. Our scythers found several […]
Isabella Tree’s Wilding film is spectacular (Oct23)
Wilding Weekend Video (Sep23)
Watch the video of our Wilding Weekend, held in June 2023 – including interviews of the key players.
COME TO OUR WILDING WEEKEND ON 17TH & 18TH OF JUNE 2023
During the weekend there will be guided tours, talks, exhibitors and stalls with information and advice about wilding, as well as things to buy. Conservation experts will show you the wildflower meadows, ponds, and grasslands identifying the insects, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that they find. Julia will be telling visitors about the challenges and successes […]
Dorset Life interviews me! (Jun23)
I loved being described as ‘probably the most effective person you’ve never heard of’! I wondered if it was too flattering for me to post the article or promote it in any way. But I overcame my doubts, and here is the Dorset Life article about my life! It not only covers the forthcoming Wilding […]
Sheep are like locusts (Apr23)
A flock of sheep will eat pretty well everything in their path – wildflowers, buds, saplings and anything else that looks tasty. Ben Goldsmith has been highlighting the perils of sheep, particularly in upland areas and in our national parks. He points out that apart from being incredibly destructive, sheep grazing on the hillsides are […]
Our Wilding Weekend in June 2023 (Mar Update)
On 17th and 18th June 2023, my husband Jamie Macdonald and I will be hosting the second Wilding Weekend at our home in Dorset. Find out more about it here. WE WILL BE SUPPORTING – THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME Ticket sales will be donated to the National Garden Scheme (NGS) charities. Here’s a link to […]