Campaigns Update

On Tuesday, joined by friends at campaigning organisations Sum of Us and 38 Degrees, we handed in a joint petition of a huge 310,265 people who backed demands that the government doesn't silence communities in our planning system.

This is a huge milestone in our campaign to stop the government’s damaging changes to the planning system.

It’s not often that this many people come together to stand up for the countryside and local democracy. It’s a show of force that the government will find hard to ignore.

Check out the story from the day, and for a sneak preview of the next stage of our campaign.

'I absolutely love the opportunities for adventure it provides me with.’

Sandra has been a wheelchair user for the past 25 years. Support from Yorkshire charity Open Country means she’s able to get out in the countryside – with her assistance dog Millie by her side.

We talk to Sandra about the barriers people with disabilities face in accessing the countryside, but how, with the right support, she too can enjoy all the myriad benefits of spending time in the countryside.

More than 2,000 local councillors from across the country have signed our open letter with Friends of the Earth, asking the government to drop their damaging changes to the planning system.

If you add this to our recent poll finding that more than half of backbench Conservative MPs are considering voting against the plans, it’s clear that opposition is mounting – and your pressure is working.

An incredible 7,000 of you asked your councillors to sign the letter – thank you so much for taking action.

If you’re digging out your festive decorations this weekend, we have some inspiration for you. 

Here are our seven easy steps for making your very own all-natural, all-foraged, Christmas wreath.

You can find all the materials on your next winter walk, and best of all: it’s fully compostable.

One of Britain’s best-loved comedians and now unexpected Strictly star, Bill Bailey, tells us why 2020 has made us appreciate the healing power of nature, and why we all need to 'frolic like fauns in the forest'.

This story is from our award-winning members’ magazine, Countryside Voices. You can join us from as little as £3 a month.

This month the government announced a huge shift in the way that UK farming is funded as we leave the EU.

We were delighted to see some of the work we’ve done over a period of many years bearing fruit, including a greater emphasis on restoring nature and caring for our soils.

While there will be changes further down the road, this could be a watershed moment for farmers, countryside communities and the climate and nature emergencies.