Something you won’t often see: Roman Snail (aka the veritable edible escargot) crawling along the North Downs Way. Enormous thing and apparently colonies are now resident in that small area. Never seen such a big snail in the wild before.
#naturalworld
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Last #MothOfTheDay for a few days as going away for a bit. A compare and contrast post. This is
WHITE POINT
Mythinma albipuncta
As you can see from the second image it is very similar to its much larger doppelgänger The Clay (on the right; smaller WP on the left) though they are different species
Met this friend in the garden earlier this afternoon. It’s still there.
#ExtremeWeather is the #UK's new normal, says Met Office
Justin Rowlatt, July 13, 2025
"The UK is breaking #heat and #rainfall records increasingly frequently as its climate continues to warm, the Met Office has warned.
"The country's changing weather patterns mean the UK now experiences a 'notably different' climate to what it was just a few decades ago, its State of the UK Climate report says.
"We now have many more very hot days and many fewer extremely cold nights, according to this latest assessment.
"It shows just how much #GlobalWarming caused by the vast emissions of #GreenhouseGases our civilisation creates is reshaping the country's climate.
"Climate change is bringing more #SevereWeather events like #storms and #flooding - and inevitably the country's changing climate is having an impact on the #NaturalWorld, with some species suffering.
"The report focuses on 2024, when the UK experienced its second-warmest February, warmest May, warmest spring, fifth-warmest December, and fifth-warmest winter since records began in 1884.
"The Met Office highlights that some of these records have already been surpassed in 2025 - more evidence of this trend towards more extreme weather.
"This summer many parts of the country are in the throes of their third heatwave with very warm weather reaching into #Wales, #NorthernIreland and #Scotland as well as southern #England."
BBC NewsMet Office: Extreme weather the UK's new normalThe UK has a notably different climate compared with just a few decades ago, the Met Office says.
From 2021: Guide to the Growing World of #NatureBasedLearning
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”
John Lubbock
Excerpt: "Inspired by the Scandinavian embrace of #OutdoorLearning, the #ForestSchool movement migrated to the UK in the 1990s and has grown strongly ever since. In the US, the first nature-based preschool, the #NewCanaanNatureCenter, opened in 1967 in #Connecticut. The pace of nature-based preschools was gradual until, many say, after the publication of #RichardLouv’s #LastChildInTheWoods in 2005. Soon after, the growth of these schools went wild, experiencing a 25-fold increase over the past decade.
"Around the world, the forest school movement has also been growing strong. Whether you find forest schools in the UK, #BushKindys in #Australia, #waldkindergarten in #Germany or #MoriNoIe in #Japan, forest schools can be found in dozens of countries as parents and caretakers seek out the benefits of nature for their children, particularly for the early childhood years."
https://www.childhoodbynature.com/guide-to-the-growing-world-of-nature-based-learning/
www.childhoodbynature.comGuide to the Growing World of Nature-Based Learning – Childhood By Nature
It's not really the same submitting to the weekly @reveai.bsky.social image challenge without more of yall joining in the fun. Get to creating some at https://preview.reve.art and then submit your best "images that highlight stunning places in nature, from national parks to beautiful gardens" to https://discord.gg/h33aHk7E
Once again, another night littered with Heart & Dart moths, 25 of them! Everything else in single figures. Four for your perusal:
1) White Point
2) The Uncertain (that's its name; it's not my incertitude)
3) Peppered Moth
4) Willow Beauty (a bit misnamed, in my view)
Another view of a #nationalpark #Parkerriver national wildlife refuge in #newburyport on #plumisland
Adam Gladstone Official WebsiteParker River Wildlife Refuge as seen from the road into Sandy Point State Reservation by Adam GladstoneParker River Wildlife Refuge as seen from the road into Sandy Point State Reservation by Adam Gladstone
"There may be much to fear in the near future, yet it could also be the most exciting time to be alive." —David Attenborough for The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times · David Attenborough at 99: ‘I will not see how the story ends’
Part 2 today focuses on what I call the 'flatties' from last night. They are flighty little things that do not like to pose (unlike the chunky 'fatties'). Four super visitors.
1) Maiden's Blush (top left)
2) Bloxworth Snout (top right)
3) Seraphim (bl)
4) Least Black Arches (br)
A mild, still night produced a high number of #moths. First set of highlights included
1) Pale Tussock Moth - huge floofy legs
2) Miller - as if doused in milled flour
3) Iron Prominent - dark and moody
4) Poplar Lutestring - neat and tidy little thing
This morning, I managed to capture this beauty amongst our garden weeds. Can anyone identify it?
Dulk’s visionary #StreetArt captivates #people in #unique ways (10 pics) https://zorz.it/sTBbM | #SaumyaRatan #art #Manhattan #BeautifulMurals #Dulk #artist #frescoes #interview #murals #UnderwaterParadise #NaturalWorld #fantastical
Thinking Green: Why Schools Should Have #NaturalSpaces
December 13, 2023.
"As urbanization and technology increasingly dominate our landscapes and lifestyles, many educational facilities are becoming more and more sterile. However, the presence of green or natural spaces in schools has become more important than ever. Not only do these spaces offer aesthetic value, but they also contribute significantly to the physical, psychological, and educational well-being of students. This article explores the benefits of integrating green spaces in school environments and provides practical strategies, such as sourcing wholesale plants, for schools to achieve this goal.
The Benefits of Green Spaces
"Learning and Cognitive Development: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to improve memory, attention, and concentration in students. This leads to better academic performance and a more effective learning environment. Additionally, green spaces provide sensory experiences and opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and exploration, fostering curiosity and creativity among students.
"Mental Health and Well-being: Green spaces provide a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety in students. The tranquil environment of natural settings can offer a peaceful retreat from the often hectic school routine, contributing to better mental health and emotional well-being. In fact, studies have shown that children who have regular access to green spaces exhibit fewer behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity.
"Physical and Social Development: Access to green spaces encourages physical activities like playing, walking, and other forms of exercise. This not only helps in tackling issues like obesity but also promotes overall health and fitness among students. Natural environments also foster more organic social interactions that lead to improved social skills, better peer relationships, and greater opportunities for collaborative learning and play.
"Environment Quality: Plants and trees in green spaces function as natural air filters, improving air quality around the school. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas, where air pollution is a significant concern. At the same time, plants can perform the job of being natural sound buffers, reducing noise pollution and creating a more peaceful and conducive learning environment for students.
"Connection with Nature: Regular exposure to green spaces helps students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the #NaturalWorld. Students can learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems firsthand, applying their classroom knowledge to real-life experiences. This connection is crucial for fostering #EnvironmentalStewardship and a sense of responsibility towards nature conservation.
Strategies for Creating Green Spaces
"Creating #SchoolGardens: School gardens can be used for teaching subjects like biology, environmental science, and nutrition. Gardens offer hands-on learning opportunities and can help students understand plant life cycles and food production. At the same time, planting trees around school premises can create shaded areas, reduce heat, and improve air quality. Sourcing native plants from wholesale nurseries can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to establish school gardens and contribute to overall greening efforts.
"Developing #GreenPlaygrounds: Unlike traditional playgrounds that predominantly feature manufactured equipment, green playgrounds integrate natural elements such as trees, grassy areas, bushes, and sand. These spaces are designed to stimulate imaginative and unstructured play, which is crucial for children’s cognitive, physical, and emotional development. By incorporating elements like logs for balancing, natural climbing structures, and areas for digging, children engage in more creative and physically active play.
"Establishing #WildlifeHabitats: By creating spaces like #ButterflyGardens, bird feeders, small ponds, or native plant areas, schools can attract and support various local wildlife species. These habitats provide students with unique, up-close opportunities to observe and learn about different ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Such initiatives not only enhance #biodiversity but also serve as living laboratories for hands-on learning in subjects like biology, ecology, and environmental science.
"Incorporating Living Walls and Green Roofs: For schools with limited space, living walls (vertical gardens) and green roofs are innovative ways to integrate greenery. Living walls are installations where plants are grown on vertical surfaces, transforming plain walls into lush, living tapestries. Similarly, green roofs involve cultivating vegetation on rooftops. Both these features beautify the school environment and offer tangible environmental benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced urban heat island effect.
"Integrating #Sustainability Action: Integrating sustainability action into the curriculum and #GreenSpace initiatives can help students understand the importance of environmental stewardship. For instance, schools can implement a composting system in the school garden or use upcycled materials in garden projects to promote waste reduction and resource conservation. This form of education encourages critical thinking about how our activities impact the environment."
Read more:
https://campuspress.yale.edu/ledger/thinking-green-why-schools-should-have-natural-spaces/
#Curiosity #Creativity #RiskTaking #Resilience #NatureDeficitDisorder #LessScreenTime #MoreGreenTime #SolarPunkSunday #NatureBasedLearning #SchoolGardens #BiophilicDesign
campuspress.yale.eduThinking Green: Why Schools Should Have Natural Spaces – Ledger
The NHM looking spooky tonight. #museum #london #naturalworld #biodiversity #science "To save Nature we need to know Nature" - even the 'too late' ones ... 
#AmateurPhotography #NoCopyRight #SamsungGalaxyS7 #NaturalWorld #Landscape
Right time, right place with a phone