04 Apr 2025
By Carl Dodd

A new era for England’s woodlands

air pollution, air quality, bees, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, Environment, forest bathing, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, organic, peat restoration, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, rewilding, sustainability, sustainable living
An overview of the Western Forest Initiative The Western Forest Initiative represents a transformative approach to woodland management and environmental sustainability in England. Launched with the ambitious goal of planting 20 million trees by the year 2050, this project aims to counter the effects of climate change while enhancing local biodiversity. The initiative is not merely about tree planting; it encompasses a broader vision for the creation of 2,500 hectares of new woodland, which will serve both ecological and social purposes. One of the primary objectives of the Western Forest initiative is to mitigate the detrimental impacts of deforestation and…
Read More
06 Dec 2024
By Carl Dodd

AI and its growing role in conservation

air pollution, biodiversity, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, forest bathing, lifestyle transformation, mindfulness, Nature, one planet living, organic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, sustainability, sustainable living
Futuring the forests The rainforests of South America, despite their immense ecological importance, are increasingly under threat from illegal logging and other destructive activities. Monitoring these vast and remote areas poses a significant challenge. While satellite surveillance offers some capability, it has notable limitations, and on-the-ground patrols are inherently constrained by the sheer size and inaccessibility of the terrain. Enter the drones: equipped with advanced cameras and motion sensors, they provide a game-changing solution. These aerial devices silently navigate through the forest canopy, detecting even the faintest signs of illegal activities. By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), data collected by drones…
Read More
08 Nov 2024
By Carl Dodd

Pioneering technology is revolutionising nature restoration in UK forests

air quality, bees, biodiversity, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, forest bathing, KLB – Scottish NZC, mindfulness, Nature, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, sustainability
Image: Polly device. (Credit: AGRISOUND. Forestry England/Crown copyright.) Unprecedented insights into biodiversity As climate change and biodiversity loss dominate global headlines, a remarkable initiative in the UK is leveraging advanced technology to combat these crises. Forestry England (FE), the organisation managing over 1,500 woodlands, is spearheading a ground-breaking effort to better understand and restore the delicate ecosystems within the nation's forests. By utilising cutting-edge tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and bioacoustic devices, FE is achieving unprecedented insights into the biodiversity of these natural spaces. Transforming biodiversity monitoring with eDNA Environmental DNA, or eDNA, has emerged as a revolutionary tool…
Read More
11 Oct 2024
By Carl Dodd

Wildlife Trust project reveals ancient woodlands

biodiversity, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, forest bathing, mindfulness, Nature, one planet living, peat restoration, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, sustainability
Ancient woodlands are rediscovered A two-year project across three counties (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire) has uncovered more than 1,300 hectares (3,271 acres) of previously unknown ancient woodland. The total area of ancient woodland in the area is now known to be 12,552 hectares (31,016 acres). The woods that have existed since 1600, are packed with a range of forest-loving plant life, fungi, insects and micro-organisations, that make up some 2.5% of UK land (609,990 hectares or 1,507,318 acres). Towards the 'ancient woodland' designation To be designated as ancient woodland, an area would have to have been wooded continuously since at…
Read More
02 Aug 2024
By Carl Dodd

Doggy ‘backpacks’ filled with seeds help rewild a nature reserve

air pollution, bees, biodiversity, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, forest bathing, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, one planet living, organic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, sustainability, sustainable living
'Man's best friend' helps out in a novel rewilding project Equipped with backpacks full of wildflower seeds, dogs in a scheme in England are mimicking an ecological role left vacant by wolves. They are being enlisted to "act like wolves" to help rewild an urban nature reserve in the East Sussex town of Lewes. Before wolves were persecuted to extinction in the UK circa 1760, they were known to roam large areas, typically covering 12 miles (20km) or more each night. In doing so, wolves would inadvertently pick up wildflower and grass seeds in their fur, dispersing them many miles away and…
Read More
19 Jul 2024
By Carl Dodd

How to keep your home and garden cool during a heatwave

air pollution, air quality, bees, biodiversity, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, forest bathing, heat pumps, Heatwave, houseplants, housing, humidity, KLB – Scottish NZC, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Nature, one planet living, organic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, solar array, solar panel, sustainability, sustainable living, ventilation, wind power
The retrofit approach As climate change drives increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves across the UK, keeping our homes cool has become a growing concern. However, the traditional approach of using air conditioning and relying on artificial cooling methods is not only energy-intensive but also environmentally unsustainable. As we are all committed to reducing our carbon footprint and living in harmony with nature, it's good to know that there are greener, more ecological ways to keep our homes cool during a heatwave. In this Blog, I explore the sustainable strategies that focus on making your home and garden work with nature…
Read More
12 Jan 2024
By Carl Dodd

How we can all take steps to preserve biodiversity

bees, biodiversity, Carl Dodd, ecosystem, forest bathing, KLB – Scottish NZC, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, organic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, sustainability
What exactly is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. It is declining globally, faster than at any other time in human history. The world's 7.6 billion people represent just 0.01% of all living things by weight, but humanity has caused the loss of 83% of all wild mammals and half of all plants. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is one of the top five risks in the World Economic Forum's 2020 Global Risks Report, too. How biodiversity can help our health Higher rates of biodiversity have been linked to an increase in health. Plants are essential…
Read More
29 Dec 2023
By Carl Dodd

How to make 2024 a greener year

biodiversity, carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, circular economy, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, food, forest bathing, furniture, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, plastic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, recycling, reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, sustainability, sustainable living, up-cycling, waste less food
A New Year brings a whole host of lifestyle opportunities The New Year gives us all time to reflect on our lifestyles and consider how we can make positive changes for the planet. Green New Year's resolutions not only benefit the environment, but can also lead to a healthier, more sustainable way of life. In this Blog, we'll explore a variety of creative and impactful resolutions for 2024. These are my New Year Resolutions for 2024: 1 - I would like to re-do my Carbon Footprint using the WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator (https://footprint.wwf.org.uk) - and review my Net Zero Carbon…
Read More
22 Sep 2023
By Carl Dodd

Our 2050 net zero target: watered down or more realistic?

carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, peat restoration, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, sustainability
  All change… for now at least As PM Rishi Sunak has recently announced plans to weaken some of the government's green commitments, we take a look at what this means. The new-look plans include a delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, and policies being scrapped that would force landlords to upgrade efficiency in their homes. Even before these latest changes though, the UK was being criticised for falling behind in its efforts to reach "net zero" by 2050. This date marks a key international target intended to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Mr Sunak…
Read More
07 Aug 2023
By Carl Dodd

How walking in forests and woods can ease our modern-day stress

biodiversity, Carl Dodd, forest bathing, KLB – Scottish NZC, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, one planet living, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku
How Shinrin-yoku can lead us towards a more sustainable and healthy way of living In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments of tranquillity and connection with nature can be challenging. However, the ancient practice of Shinrin-yoku, also known as 'forest bathing', offers a refreshing and rejuvenating solution. Originating from Japan, Shinrin-yoku involves immersing oneself in the peaceful embrace of forests and woodlands to reap numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. So, let's embark on a journey into the heart of nature and discover how Shinrin-yoku can lead us towards a healthier way of life. What is Shinrin-yoku, and…
Read More