Dr Lucy Rogers

Don't miss the deadline to be a Trustee for VWT! For more info and to apply, visit www.vwt.co.uk/vacancies
Photo: ©Robert Cruickshanks

Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.

An across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery.
www.gov.uk/government/p...

🦇 The Nuclear Regulatory Review proposes changes to the Habitats Regulations, which currently limit development that could affect protected nature sites. These rules play a key role in safeguarding wildlife & supporting the conservation of precious habitats: action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/183790/...

Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt

"Without significant increases in UK food system and supply chain resilience, it is unlikely the UK would be able to maintain food security if ecosystem collapse drives geopolitical competition for food" - says Joint Intelligence Cttee. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

#afnnetwork.bsky.social

So a cow can use a stick to scratch its backside. When will we learn that humans are really not that special? | Helen Pilcher Veronika’s improvised grooming device has caused great surprise – but that tells us more about humans than cows, says science writer Helen Pilcher

So a cow can use a stick to scratch its backside. When will we learn that humans are really not that special? | Helen Pilcher

It’s Penguin Awareness Day which seems like a great excuse to post the greatest ever Wikipedia edit.

Calling all finance and investment specialists.... your chance to make a tangible difference for wildlife conservation! ⬇️

British Bats, their Ecology and Conservation - online course - Our most popular courses - Bat Conservation Trust Are you ready to become a bat conservation champion? Our most popular introductory course designed to teach you everything you need to know to become an...

🦇 Our 'British bats their ecology and conservation' is the perfect training for beginners who want to learn more about UK bat species.

Session are online, live, weekly and starting at 7pm (duration 60 - 90min). They start on the 23 February.

More info here:

YouTube video by Bill Sutherland's Conservation Concepts Increase your funding for conservation

Applying for funds for conservation? Want to increase your chances? Here Nancy Ockendon, of Endangered Landscape and Seascapes Programme, explains how. youtu.be/ypJxT-PdqNk?...

New Trustee opportunity! If you have finance or investment management skills and would like to join our dedicated team of Trustees to support wildlife conservation in Britain, Ireland and mainland Europe, please visit www.vwt.org.uk/vacancies to find out more and to apply.

One of #MartensOnTheMove volunteers had a lovely surprise on Christmas Day when they recorded a pine marten visiting their feeder in our Brechfa Monitoring Hub. The feeder was put up in November and this is the first time the volunteer has recorded a marten! #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Cafodd un o wirfoddolwyr #BelaodArGrwydr anrheg hyfryd ar ddydd Nadolig pan recordiwyd bele yn defnyddio teclyn bwydo yng Nghanolfan Fonitro Brechfa. Cafodd y teclyn bwydo ei osod ym mis Tachwedd a dyma'r tro cyntaf i'r gwirfoddolwr ddal bele ar gamera! #CronfaTreftadaeth

Thank you to all who sent in polecat sightings during our fourth National Polecat Survey 2024-2025! Also a huge thank you to vols who collected samples from dead animals for use in genetic and dietary research. Any polecat sightings from 2024 or 2025 can still be sent in arcg.is/1TXqHC

Don’t miss this last chance to apply for the post of Communications and Engagement Officer for VWT’s #MartensOnTheMove project — deadline 12noon on Thurs 15 Jan. Visit www.vwt.org.uk/vacancies to find out more and apply to help pine martens thrive once again in Britain. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

VWT’s #MartensOnTheMove hosted a pine marten den box training day in Forestry England Forest of Dean. The team showed volunteers how to:
- Pick the right tree for a den box
- Install a den box
- Monitor it for pine marten presence
- Carry out a maintenance check
#NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Please share these exciting opportunities with your contacts.

#MartensOnTheMove attended the Wales Biodiversity Partnership Conference and discussed how the project is working with local communities to support pine marten recovery across Monmouthshire, Powys, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. Full article here ➡️ bit.ly/4pK1RJ2 #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Bu #BelaodArGrwydr yng Nghynhadledd Partneriaeth Bioamrywiaeth Cymru, i drafod sut mae'r prosiect yn gweithio gyda chymunedau lleol i helpu adferiad bele'r coed ar draws Sir Fynwy, Powys, Sir Gaerfyrddin a Cheredigion. Mae'r erthygl lawn ar gael yma ➡️ bit.ly/4s3wpH0 #CronfaTreftadaeth

Modern buildings often have smooth, machine-cut surfaces that are difficult for horseshoe bats to hang onto… so VWT’s Bat Team has been testing out a range of surfaces — rough woodwool boards, lime-rendered pots and scoring texture into wooden beams — to give bats a greater choice of roost surfaces.

New blog! With the help of volunteers, #MartensOnTheMove has carried out den box maintenance work in the Tweed Valley. Project Officer, Victoria Chanin, and volunteer Elaine Rainey discuss what this involved and what they found. Full blog here bit.ly/48Zl7MR #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

VWT’s #MartensOnTheMove project is recruiting for two part-time Communications and Engagement Officer posts — one in the north (Scottish/English borders) and one in the south (English/Welsh borders). For more info and to apply, please visit www.vwt.org.uk/vacancies #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

It’s always great to see where lesser horseshoe bats choose to hibernate! Our first annual winter count as part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme has recorded slightly lower numbers than usual, which is likely due to the recent mild weather. Huge thanks to #BrecknockBatGroup for joining us.

#IVD2025 Thank you to everyone who gives their time through volunteering activities, community action and citizen science. Your contribution enhances the impact that VWT has in wildlife monitoring and conservation in Britain and Ireland.
#EveryContributionMatters #TogetherWeCanMakeADifference

Just one day left for your chance to double your donation to VWT's work to monitor and make a difference for some of Britain and Ireland's most threatened bat species through this year's #BigGive'sChristmasChallenge. More info here bit.ly/443VPu2

Don't miss this chance to help VWT work with communities and volunteers to make a difference for Britain and Ireland's threatened mammals. For more information and to apply, please visit www.vwt.org.uk/vacancies Please share widely.

Last chance to spot a polecat! VWT’s #4thNationalPolecatSurvey ends 31.12.2025 — and every record helps us understand how this native mammal is doing. Share your sightings here arcg.is/1TXqHC
or use the Mammal Mapper app
or send us an email to enquiries@vwt.org.uk @mammalsociety.bsky.social

Don't miss the latest edition of @batconservation.bsky.social fantastic podcast #BatChat and find out about hidden roosts and 50 Years of VWT.

#BecauseOfYou, so far we have been able to work with communities to build 84 pine marten den boxes, install 63, set up a national pine marten monitoring programme and 3 pine marten havens, build+install 67 bat boxes+record >2,675 barbastelle calls in 18 woods in Pembs. #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Save the Date reminder! We'll be hosting the next European Mustelid Colloquium 6-9th October in Białowieża with @mripas.bsky.social and Białowieża Ecology Conference.
Learn more: www.vwt.org.uk/36th-europea...
Join the EMC mailing list: eepurl.com/ga-5z9

So far, in 2025, VWT’s #NaturAmByth project has collected 2,675 new acoustic records of barbastelles in Pembs. By the year end, we expect 3,000+ records — a fantastic result. Thanks to our vols+@heritagefunduk.bsky.social, we’re learning more about barbastelles in Wales and how to help them thrive.