Any keen Astronomer or Astrophotographer born before the early 90s will remember seeing the iconic image of the Pillars of Creation taken by Nasa’s Hubble Space Telescope in April 1995. These elephant trunks of interstellar gas reside in the Eagle Nebula (M16), specifically the Serpens (the serpant) constellation, some 6,500–7,000 light years from Earth. Dubbed the Pillars of Creation, because the gas and dust are in the process of creating new stars, while also being eroded by the light from nearby stars that have recently formed. The image is easily among the top ten images taken by Hubble, and was revisited in 2014 to create an even more detailed high definition image of these incredible structures which can be seen here The Pillars of Creation | NASA. Whilst my telescope is no where near as powerful as Hubble, and with the Earths atmosphere and weather to contend with, I set out this month to capture this region of space as it has been on my ‘bucket list’ of objects to capture since I started astrophotography last year. Over a few nights at the end of July, as astronomical darkness returned to our skies for just an hour or so each night, I set about collecting data on the Eagle Nebula which is relatively low in the night sky. The resulting image shows the Pillars of Creation nestled in the heart of the Eagle Nebula. The image was taken using a Skywatcher 200 PDS Newtonian Reflector Telescope and dedicated Cooled Astro Camera. I also used a Tri-band narrowband filter to reveal the fainter nebulosity within the image. At around 3 hours of total capture time, I’m ecstatic to have captured this amazing region of space from my very own garden in Dorset to add to my own collection!
M16 Eagle Nebula
The sky at night this month – August 2021 (443 words)
August is always a great month for Astronomy, and we have some fantastic events coming up! Kicking off with the Perseid meteor shower peaking on the 12th August, one of the most reliable displays of shooting stars to enjoy. In addition, the neighboring giants of our solar system Saturn and Jupiter are at their closest and brightest to Earth, making it a great time to grab that telescope and start exploring!
As this months image shows, the Serpens constellation is easily viewable this month and home to the Eagle Nebula (M16) discovered by Jean-Philippe Loys de Cheseaux in 1745. Through binoculars, you’ll be able to identify the bright infant stars developing in this star forming region, but a telescope will help to reveal the nebulosity within this amazing Nebula.
Saturn reaches its nearest point to Earth on the 2nd August at a mere 830.8 million miles, but can be easily observed throughout the month. A small telescope can reveal the famous rings as well as the brightest moons out the its 82 strong collection. Look to the middle of Capricornus in the southeast to find and explore this amazing world.
On the 10th August at around 8:45 pm, the crescent Moon will be form a line with Venus, Mars, Regulas and Mercury. Look to the West low on the horizon.
On the 11th August, a beautiful sight to behold is the crescent Moon teaming up the evening star, Venus as you look to the West.
During the second week of August, the Earth runs into a stream of debris left in the wake of comet Swift Turtle. The specks of cosmic dust smash into our atmosphere at a speeds of 130,000 mph which burn up causing the bright display. The meteors appear to diverge from the same part of the sky, lying in the constellation Perseus. Stay up until after midnight on the 12th for a free fireworks display! The Moon will also be setting before 10:30pm, ensuring a great show.
On the 20th August, Jupiter is at its nearest this year and opposite the Sun. Look towards Aquarius in the southeast. At distance of 372.8 million miles, with a pair of binocular held steady, you will be able to see Jupiter’s 4 biggest moons. Switch to a telescope and you’ll be able to see the cloud patterns on this blazing Gas Giant.
On the 21st August, a full Moon will team up with Jupiter, the second brightest planet.
On the 28th August, the Moon resides to the right of the Pleiades, with the Moon passing below them on the 29th, above the Hyades and Aldebaran transiting to the left on August 30th.
Congratulations on your 1st year from us all at Love Local Trust Local
With 2020 being such a washout, a few things started to happen that we may have initially thought we were ‘immune to’, here in a country such as Blighty.
Remember those headlines reporting a lack of loo roll, pasta, tinned goods and anything in-between, as the nation leapt into panic buying mode? Whilst this was a worrying time for the big supermarkets, it was fascinating to see buying habits change; suddenly people were appreciating local produce a lot more. They were buying from small farm shops, because the produce was available, and in some instances, even growing it themselves, as we all started to live our ultra ‘Good Life’ in case the proverbial truly hit the fan.
During this time, we also eradicated ‘stuff’ from pretty much anywhere. Go to a restaurant post-Covid and you could expect to order from an app in many cases – no promotional table tat (a great thing for the environment), no newspapers kicking about at the doctor surgery. Wherever you would previously have access to things like promotional leaflets, local freebie magazines and like, you now simply could not get your hands on a copy for fear of contracting Covid itself.
Whilst reducing our chances of picking up this virus, during this time it was with sadness that we lost some real gems in our community that kept people connected, particularly when it comes to local publications.
So, when we were approached by the team at the BV magazine, we were delighted that the team were on the pulse and able to get up and running to share local news in a way that meant we could continue getting word out promoting our businesses, to real customers and prospective customers who may have a genuine interest in what we have to offer.
During Lockdown 1.0, the team who had established the brand Love Local Trust Local, formed the very first Love Local Trust Local Food & Drink Awards. There was concern that mid-Covid could be a bad time to launch such an occasion, however the timing couldn’t have been more relevant given the need to source local becoming more prominent, so the Love Local Team pressed on.
We found a real synergy with the team at the BV magazine who welcomed us to the fold and got onboard with supporting the cause of Love Local Trust Local; created by farmers for farmers, to support our Dorset-based food and drink producers, but also created to educate the consumer on what they are really eating and how to understand where the produce has come from and what it really is.
Our cause is such a relevant one for the team at the BV magazine, so we were delighted to have them join us for the first year of the awards as part of the sponsorship and judging team, and have continued with us into 2021, which we are so grateful for.
Whilst digital thrives, as a wider organisation, with The Langton Arms, Rawston Farm Butchery & Shop, and Love Local Trust Local, we’ve felt a real concern for those who may be getting left behind in such a digital world. Whilst we continue to communicate inside our venues effectively, mediums such as print advertising have become exponential in their cost, and quite frankly out of reach for small businesses who have been hit equally hard through Covid.
To help quell this social issue, the team are proudly running monthly social media workshops for those who have not entered into the digital world, or perhaps are less confident using the social media platforms they might already have. We had a great turnout for the first session in July, where we offered cake and coffee, and our marketing team were on hand to get our attendees online and comfortable with how to use these digital mines of information! If you know someone who would benefit from one of these sessions, give us a buzz on either The Langton Arms 01258 830225 or Rawston Farm Butchery 07796801525 and we’ll get them booked in and connected with the likes of the BV magazine so they can stay updated and abreast of local news.
Following the BV’s outstanding first year, we have been honoured to get involved and work with the team to keep the locals informed and educated on topics we are truly passionate about; James Cossins at Rawston Farm has really enjoyed contributing to the publication with the history of the farm. Barbara Cossins has been honoured to be contributing on various topics, such as the politics of the meat we are eating and what Brexit means, as well as promoting Love Local Trust Local and promoting eating and shopping local to the residents of Dorset.
So with the Blackmore Vale online celebrating their first birthday, we’d really love to offer them a very happy birthday, and a massive congratulations on a stand-out first year. Publications like this really are the crux of local society and truly help to keep people connected at times when they need connection the most, and we are proud to be a part of that story!
Shaftesbury-based family firm Wessex Group is celebrating its own Gold medal, having been awarded a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Health and Safety Award in recognition for the hard work it does to ensure the safety of not only its own staff, but also its customers, clients and contractors – making sure they all get home safely to their families at the end of every working day.
Wessex Group head Office
RoSPA Awards are not given lightly – those organisations who receive one are recognised as world-leaders in health and safety practice. Nearly 2,000 entrants a year vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in the UK’s longest-running Health and Safety industry awards.
Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, said: “The UK RoSPA Awards scheme receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for health and safety worldwide.
Wessex Team
Wessex Group Director Simon Morgan said “It is the bedrock of our business to provide a safe working environment for our staff, customers and clients alike; it is our number one priority.
To win this highly acclaimed award on our first attempt is a reflection of the diligence and commitment to ensuring safe working methods at all times shown by all of the teams.”
Wessex Group Electricians
Wessex Electricals Ltd was founded in Shaftesbury in 1963 by Tony Morgan, and Wessex Fire & Security Ltd was launched
as a sister company in 1984. Wessex Group was created as a central structure for the two separate businesses, and today the company is run by his sons Alistair & Simon Morgan
ROSPA GOLD AWARD
Julia Small explained “with this Gold award we recognise the best of the best; those organisations that have gone the extra mile, raising the bar for the delivery of safety in the workplace. Employees, wherever they may be should be able to go to work safe in the knowledge that they will return home unharmed and healthy at the end of every day.”
It has been known for some time that what we eat can reveal connections between the gut and the immune system, but there is still so much we don’t yet know.
For those of us who subscribe to the Zoe COVID-19 app, you may have recently read an article where they found in their studies that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables had a protective effect against COVID. A somewhat bold claim as it is usually a bit more complicated than that. However, it is true that 70% of our immune system resides in the gut so it would make sense that we should take care of our gut health, and eating more plants is a great way to start – whatever our preferred way of eating.
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Just this month, there was an interesting set of findings of a 17-week study published in Cell comparing the results of a plant based high fibre diet with a diet high in fermented foods (foods that contain probiotics) (1). It concluded that fermented foods may be faster at remodelling the gut microbiome. They noted two things – first, the diversity of the gut microbiome increased and second, inflammatory markers were reduced. They were however, eating six portions a day – both dairy and vegetable ferments. For those in the high fibre group – the immune responses were much more personalised and less clear cut.
One of my favourite reviews was published in 2019 (2)where the micro and macro nutrients of several different ways of eating were considered (vegan, vegetarian, ketogenic, Mediterranean, high sugar, low FODMAP, western-type and gluten-free), in order to better understand what might be considered an optimal diet for a healthy gut, and ultimately the consequences on our immune system. The Mediterranean diet and the plant-based diets were the two ways of eating that produced the greatest diversity of micro-organisms. Our guts are like our gardens, we have to plant, feed and weed regularly if they are to be at their very best.
So where to start?
With clients, I always start with small changes and build up gradually – that way, it is more likely that new habits can be created. Here are eight ideas – whether you dislike anything remotely healthy but know you should really eat more, or if you already eat well, but would like to do more.
Start with an apple a day. Your Gran was right. Apples feed the beneficial bacteria in our gut to produce butyrate, a substance which plays an important role in the health status of our gut. Pectin, directly under the skin of the apple is where the most beneficial substance is, so eat the peel. Raw or cooked is fine. Make a batch of stewed apple for the week (no sugar), maybe some cinnamon, leave the skin on and keep in the fridge. Eat with your breakfast or have it for dessert.
Switch yogurt for kefir (a fermented drink). Whilst yogurt (natural, unsweetened), contains some probiotics, kefir contains much more and therefore a better choice for gut health. Dairy and non-dairy kefir is widely available in supermarkets. Great paired with fruit for breakfast. Freezing does not kill the beneficial bacteria in kefir, so blend with some bananas and berries and make ice lollies.
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One root vegetable and two other plants a day. If the idea of eating more plants seems overwhelming to you, three different types a day is a great place to start. Consistency is key – so every single day – work up to six teacups full.
Plants (ideally veg) with every meal. Most people can do lunch and dinner but often struggle with breakfast. Think a few salad leaves, avocado or tomato with eggs, or some spinach hidden in a fruit smoothie.
Half of the plate filled with veg. I’m talking mostly plants not grains – so not half a plate of pasta. Variety is important, so not half a plate of carrots. Try for at least two, eg carrots and chickpeas, then see if there is room for something green too. Colours are important as they each provide different nutrients. Remember the expression “eat the rainbow”.
Give kimchi or sauerkraut a try. These fermented vegetables are a great way to increase probiotics but start slowly – it takes a while to build up tolerance. One small portion a day to begin with.
30 plants a week. For the dedicated. This can be done as a challenge and is fun way to encourage kids to increase the amount of plants in their diet. Individuals who eat at least 30 different plants each week have more varied gut bacteria. You can download a fun challenge chart to stick on your fridge here. Add nuts, seeds and berries to your breakfast, mixed salad or soup for lunch, fruit and nuts for snacks, maybe a plant-based meal or two a few times a week for dinner, eg veggie chilli con carne, lentil burgers, or just an extra portion of veg on the side. Make liberal use of the freezer – frozen veg are often better than fresh.
Swap alcohol for kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea and is a potential source of probiotics and antioxidants. Only a small glass in order to build up tolerance slowly is all that is needed. Pick a low sugar variety – it’s only healthy when made properly.
Rinninella, et.al. (2019). Food components and dietary habits: Keys for a healthy gut microbiota composition. In Nutrients (Vol. 11, Issue 10). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102393
This month I had the pleasure of catching up with Heather Brown, our own amazing Food Writer and Columnist, to talk about the Dorset Foodie Feed website.
Earlier this year Heather was accepted to become a a member of the Guild of Food Writers – the professional association of food writers and broadcasters in the UK. She works with national brands such as Marks & Spencer, Splenda and Roberts Radio as well as many local Dorset brands such as Urban Guild, Purbeck Ice Cream, Conker and The Scented Botanist.
The Dorset Foodie Feed website was started in 2011 by John Grindle, originally as ‘West Dorset Foodie’. John’s love of ‘great food, fishing and helping people’ grew the site, and he started taking on new Dorset writers. By 2015 there were four individual sites in the Dorset Foodie Feed family – West Dorset Foodie, East Dorset Foodie, North Dorset Foodie and Purbeck Foodie. In 2017 all four sites were brought together to create the Dorset Foodie Feed family.
So what is it that Heather loves so much about the Dorset food scene specifically? Is there something special about the food and drink producers in our county?
“The community! I used to live in a place where the competition between businesses was fierce, but it’s the opposite in Dorset. Business owners are always willing to help someone out, lend a hand or make something bespoke for a menu or client. People are always willing and ready to collaborate too, which opens the door to new and fabulous flavours and experiences for customers, all made with local ingredients and created by local people.”
So with your own business keeping you busy, what was it about Dorset Foodie Feed that made you take it on?
“I have been writing recipes and restaurant reviews since 2013, and I joined the Dorset Foodie Feed team in 2015. When John wanted to retire, I jumped at the chance to take on the challenge, and I am so pleased I did. I made the decision to rebuild the entire site at the end of 2019 and relaunched in January 2020 – who knew how timely that would be?!
“I am so grateful that I could use Dorset Foodie Feed to help
connect new customers to local businesses throughout the Pandemic, and I am proud of how the site has grown and developed, with the Directory being added at the end of 2020.
“It has been hundreds of hours of my time poured into a website and social pages that don’t earn me any money beyond the odd free meal, but it is such a privilege to be able to help the food and drink sector that have struggled so much this past 18 months.
“I’m passionate about local food, and I was eager to make it really easy for locals to know where their local food businesses are (and of course to lead tourists to the smaller, hidden businesses they’ll love). I managed to secure grant funding from Dorset Growth Hub to employ a developer, and we built on the Directory feature to the site.
“Now, customers can search a database of nearly 650 local food and drink businesses by using their postcode and/or type of business (farm shop, cafe etc). The businesses are then listed on a map closest to your location.
“Dorset Foodie Feed has been posting recipes and reviews since 2012, and all those reviews are linked to the listings; you can check out what we think about the restaurants and products too, along with reviews from other local bloggers and writers.”
So if I’m a small local food or drink business, can I be listed on the DFF map? Even if I’m a tiny business that simply makes jams… How much does it cost? Are there qualifying criteria?
“Its free to list and its free to use! You simply need to be a food and/or drink business based in Dorset. I wanted to make sure that anyone could use the site to find their local businesses, and that any business, large or tiny could list. All I need to get a business listed is a link to your website.”
I was curious as to what type of business is the most searched for on the site – are more people hunting for a great cup of coffee, some locally made cheese or honey or the best Sunday lunch?
“Local people are looking out of curiosity, simply to find new places close to them, regardless of business type. The comment I hear over and again is
‘I searched using my postcode and found an amazing shop just down the road that I didn’t know was there!’.
“Tourists are often looking for cafes and restaurants and with that in mind, I have also curated some shorter, recommended ‘great places to eat’ lists for someone who just wants to see some highlights, for a weekend break for example.”
So what’s next for Heather as the directory continues to grow?
“Once the summer season ends, I’m aware local businesses will have some time to start to thinking about how they want to move forward post-pandemic. There are some talented niche experts in Dorset that would love to help and I’m currently working on how best to join them together!”
Since the pandemic outbreak and consequent lockdown restrictions over the last year or so, we’ve noticed a real embrace from customers to take a break from ‘the traditional’. An area that this has been extremely apparent is with rosé wines – we are finally at a stage where the consensus from our lovely customers is ‘there is more to rosé than Provence’, which is music to our ears. As much as we love an outstanding glass of crisp rosé, it’s very naïve to believe that only Provence can produce such a beauty.
The pink stuff aside, we have sensed a more adventurous wine palate from our customers across the board – we think due to travel restrictions and the appeal of literally experiencing a distant culture from a wine glass in the comfort of your own home, garden or local beach (yes beach, not bench!)
So, this month, I wanted to do something a little different and showcase 5 little gems from a handful of countries on the travel ‘Red List’ at time of writing. Let’s go on a little wine trip together!
Argentina
Karim Mussi Los Poetas Semillon – if you like your white wines to have flavour but with a rounded, fresh vibe, then this wine should be in your wine rack. Tropical fruit, with some herbal notes, make it a perfect accompaniment with most fish dishes and summer salads.
Chile
Bouchon Pais Salvaje – this wine is one of the most labour-intensive wines to produce as all the grapes are hand harvested. Pais (pronounced pa- ees) is grown in a forest and requires hand harvesting on ladders – some of which are over 5 metres tall. Hints of strawberry, cherries, spice and even banana, delicious.
Bouchon Granito Semillon – one of the best wines I have drunk in the last 5 years. This really is a wine that you can taste the 120-million-year-old soil on which the grapes have been grown from, hence the name ‘granito’ – granite soil. The vines were planted in the 1940’s and have incredibly deep roots. Complex fruit expressions from start to finish with subtle oak and a wonderful minerality throughout. A real treat that leaves you wanting more.
South Africa
Niel Joubert Byker Chenin Blanc – a new addition to our range and just perfect for sunny days. For lovers of Sauvignon Blanc, I always say that a Chenin ‘has all the fruit of a Sauvignon but without the acidity’ and this really is a little gem.
Uruguay
Vinedo de los Vientos Notos Nebbiolo – what a wine; fruity from start to finish with an awesome medium to full bodied palate. Most people associate Nebbiolo with Italy, but it really is worth sampling an alternative twist on the grape. This beauty has been produced by a boutique micro winery at a crazily high altitude in Uruguay. Travel the world with wine and sample two examples side by side.
“For every T-shirt purchase, we’ll plant a tree”. The same goes for every bottle of wine and every credit card swipe. Countries and companies are all planting trees to meet global pledges and boost sustainability records.
The climate crisis is getting worse, but businesses, consumers, nonprofits, and governments worldwide are planting billions of trees. This helps create jobs, captures carbon, and enhances ecosystems.
However, many of these poorly executed projects can actually harm the environment. Wrong tree choices and locations can reduce biodiversity, increasing extinctions and weakening ecosystems.
Biodiversity loss, like climate change, is a pressing global issue. Extinction rates are soaring, with millions of species at risk. Ecosystem collapse threatens our food and water sources.
To combat this, companies and countries are planting non-native trees to fight climate change. Even the Irish Lottery provider Lottoland started planting trees as an ecofriendly move. While they store carbon, they do little for local biodiversity.
Experts advise planting the right tree in the right place for the right reasons. However, defining “right” varies among stakeholders. Some prioritize carbon storage and timber; others focus on fruit trees for small farmers or native species regeneration.
The best efforts consider various needs but face challenges due to conflicting interests, making it a complex endeavor.
‘Harm in the Name of Doing Good’
The Earth lacks sufficient land to combat climate change solely with trees, but when combined with significant reductions in fossil fuels, trees become a vital natural solution. They capture carbon dioxide through their leaves and store it in their branches and trunks, though they also emit carbon when they burn or decompose. This capacity to gather CO2 is why forests are often called carbon sinks.
In Central Africa, the French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies intends to plant trees across 40,000 hectares in the Republic of Congo. Located on the Batéké Plateau, a diverse landscape of grasslands, wooded savannas, and pockets of dense forests, this project could sequester over 10 million tons of carbon dioxide in 20 years, according to the company.
Tree planting in Uganda – many seedlings are grown with wooden racks to protect them against rain and sun. Image: Dennis Wegewijs, Shutterstock
Nicolas Terraz, then Total’s senior vice president for Africa, exploration, and production, stated in a 2021 company announcement, “Total is committed to developing natural carbon sinks in Africa as part of our efforts to reduce emissions and achieve net zero by 2050.”
To attain net-zero status, businesses must remove as much carbon from the atmosphere as they emit. Many, like TotalEnergies, are turning to trees for assistance. On the Batéké Plateau, a type of Australian acacia tree slated for selective logging will cover a vast area.
The project, a component of the Congolese government’s initiative to expand forested areas and enhance carbon storage, is expected to generate employment opportunities and ultimately enhance biodiversity as indigenous species are allowed to flourish over decades.
However, scientists caution that this approach may exemplify one of the most detrimental forms of afforestation: planting trees where they wouldn’t naturally grow. Such projects can harm biodiversity, jeopardize water supplies, and even raise temperatures because, in some instances, trees absorb heat that grasslands—or, in other regions, snow—would have reflected.
Bethanie Walder, executive director of the Society for Ecological Restoration, a global nonprofit, remarked, “We don’t want to cause harm in the name of doing good.”
The Batéké Plateau is one of the least-explored ecosystems in Africa, according to environmental scientist Paula Nieto Quintano, who has specialized in the region. Dr. Nieto stated, “Its significance for local livelihoods, ecology, and ecosystem functions are poorly understood.”
View from Parc National des Plateaux Batéké. Image: wlkyk, Shutterstock
Those studying forest restoration emphasize that trees alone cannot solve all problems. “I fear that many corporations and governments view this as an easy way out,” said Robin Chazdon, a professor of tropical forest restoration at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. “They may not feel as compelled to make rigorous emissions reductions as they can claim, ‘We’re offsetting that by planting trees.’”
‘There Have Been Bad Actors’
While all trees store carbon, their benefits vary based on the species and planting location. For example, Eucalyptus trees grow quickly and straight, making them valuable for lumber. Native to Australia and nearby islands, they provide sustenance to koalas due to their unique poison tolerance. However, when grown in Africa and South America for timber, fuel, and carbon storage, they offer fewer advantages to wildlife and may contribute to water depletion and increased wildfires.
Forest restoration and carbon sequestration are intricate tasks, and commercial species serve essential roles. Timber is a renewable resource with a lower carbon footprint than concrete or steel, and it’s needed for various purposes, including paper and cooking fuel. Planting fast-growing species for harvest can sometimes aid in preserving native forests. Additionally, strategically incorporating native species in tree farms can support biodiversity by creating wildlife corridors.
Michael Becker, head of communications at 1t.org, emphasizes the necessity of involving the private sector in the restoration movement. This group, established by the World Economic Forum, aims to conserve and expand one trillion trees through private investment, even though historical bad practices need to be rectified.
A challenge lies in the fact that supporting biodiversity doesn’t offer the same financial returns as carbon storage or timber markets. Although many governments have set reforestation standards, they often allow considerable flexibility. For instance, Wales incentivizes tree planting but requires only 25 percent of native species for government subsidies.
Forest of eucalyptus tree in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Image: Alf Ribeiro, Shutterstock
In regions like Kenya, Brazil, and Peru, eucalyptus and teak are increasingly grown on land that once teemed with diverse ecosystems. This trend is driven by investor preference for these well-known species, which command higher prices.
Enrique Toledo, the general manager of Reforesta Perú, explains that international demand for these species remains unmet, making them appealing to investors.
‘The Same Species All Over the World’
When businesses pledge to plant trees for each product sold, they typically partner with nonprofit organizations collaborating with communities globally. These efforts might involve reforestation post-wildfires or providing fruit and nut trees to farmers. However, such projects can sometimes harm biodiversity.
According to a recent report, the planet hosts nearly 60,000 tree species, with roughly one-third facing extinction threats, mainly due to agriculture, grazing, and exploitation. Yet, only a small portion of these species gets widely planted globally, as indicated by tree planting groups and scientists.
Meredith Martin, an assistant professor of forestry at North Carolina State University, noted that nonprofit tree-planting initiatives in tropical regions often prioritize people’s livelihoods over biodiversity and carbon storage. This approach could eventually lead to a decline in forest biodiversity.
Nonprofit tree planting organizations often claim they plant non-native tree species due to local community preferences. However, Susan Chomba, responsible for forest restoration and conservation in Africa at the World Resources Institute, suggests a different perspective. When farmers have the opportunity to consider their land’s goals, they often remember that more trees meant more streams, indicating a desire for restored water sources.
NGO groups are compensating individuals for collecting indiginous seeds from nearby forests. Image: Media Lens King, Shutterstock
Dr. Chomba explains that engaging with local knowledge makes it possible to identify suitable indigenous tree species for ecosystem water restoration. The main challenge lies in the limited availability of indigenous seeds at local seed banks, typically dominated by popular commercial species. Some groups address this issue by compensating individuals for collecting seeds from nearby forests.
Experts propose an alternative solution, allowing forests to regenerate naturally. This approach can be cost-effective and efficient in areas with minimal degradation or proximity to existing forests. Simply protecting certain areas from grazing can enable the return of trees, benefiting both carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Dr. Chazdon sums it up by emphasizing the wisdom of nature: “Nature knows much more than we do.”
Meyers has been named as the ‘best estate agent’ in Shaftesbury by the British Property Awards.
The assessment for the award was a secret and detailed process of evaluation including a series of mystery shopping calls and correspondence designed to test responsiveness, customer service and professionalism – all arranged by the British Property Awards’ team.
Brad Hansford joined Meyers Estate Agents as a self-employed franchisee for Shaftesbury in September 2019. He now runs the successful Shaftesbury agency with his partner Tamsin Bell.
Brad began working in property at the age of 18, and is proud to already be an award-winning agency in only his second year of trading as Meyers’ in Shaftesbury.
“I am proud to be known for our reliability. We genuinenly care about our customers, and I believe it’s our attention to detail and quality service which sets us apart.
The past 18 months have been a challneging time for everyone, but the Estate Agency world has been turned on its head – from lockdowns stopping all business, to the ‘property goldrush’ creating unforseen workloads.
Brad agrees “to be named as a British Property Award winner in this of all years is something special.”
Brad Hansford has close connections with the local Shaftesbury community: In the past year, Brad has contributed £500 for the plants and flowers for a ‘outside garden area’ association with The Blackmore Vale Partnership (Local Doctor Surgery) supporting those with mental health problems, and he is also currently working with The Headstrong Project, a local group who support men’s mental health in addition to setting up a voucher scheme in support of local businesses in the area.
Mark Meyer, CEO, Meyers Estate Agents said “Over the past decade, Meyers’ unique business model has proved the need for an expensive high street presence is no longer necessary provided the systems are in place for agents to offer clients exceptional levels of service. All Meyers offices thrive on local connections, reputation and recommendations”.
