Campaigns Update

You might have seen that we’ve been shouting from the rooftops these last few weeks about the government’s proposals to dilute and delay a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

After ten years of campaigning, it’s frustrating to see them bottling it on their promises...

But thanks to you, the hard work has really paid off. By last Friday:

• Almost 1,000 supporters had responded to the government’s DRS consultation using our guide

• 1,800 of us took to Twitter to tell Boris Johnson to stop kicking the can down the road.

Next week we’re taking a message in a bottle straight to Downing Street to tell the Prime Minister not to dilute or delay a DRS.

Keep your eyes peeled for updates, and sign and share the petition if you haven’t already!

The environment secretary has laid out the government’s new vision for restoring and enhancing the country’s trees and peat.

But there’s a hedgerow-shaped hole in their plans.

We’re concerned that the value of hedgerows in capturing carbon and providing other benefits such as habitats and corridors for wildlife is being neglected.

Hedgerows should be right up there - alongside trees - as nature and climate heroes. That's why we’re calling for the government to go further and set a target for restoring and planting hedgerows.

Swallows, swifts, slow worms and sandpipers – the charming summer wildlife of the English countryside are emerging with a vigour intensified by the recent warm sunny days.

Swifts are some of the most emblematic of summer. These incredible birds hunt, drink, preen and even mate on the wing, filling the warm evening air with their beautiful piercing calls.

Discover the latest notes on summer nature in country diarist Susie White’s exclusive CPRE column.

Peatlands are one of nature’s heroes. They lock up huge amounts of carbon, stabilising our climate. They're the UK's rainforest.

We urgently need to act to protect them on all fronts. That’s why we’re pleased to see a government commitment in their peat action plan that ‘peatlands should be nurtured, not mined’, and a ban on the use of peat in gardening compost by 2024.

However, there’s more to do and protecting peat desperately needs to be bumped up the priority list for funding.

Our peat specialist Graeme breaks down the issue for you.

'At the age of 16 I went on my first protest march. Anyone can be a good campaigner - the main thing is that you care deeply about the thing you want to save, or change.'

Kate Ashbrook has spent her career opening up access to the countryside and green spaces.

Here, she tells us what got her started on this path, shares her proudest achievement and gives her tips for effective campaigning.

Bridleways, public footpaths, byways and permissive footpaths... have you ever felt confused by the different paths and rights of way you encounter in the countryside?

We have just the guide for you, so you’ll always know where you stand.

Check out our guide to countryside rights of way.