THIS IS FROM PLANTLIFE — IT’S ALMOST ‘NO MAY TIME’ — JUST DON’T CUT THAT GRASS

Plantlife Newsletter April 2025 View this email in your browser Dear John! Spring is in the air and we’re getting excited! The Daises and Celandines have been popping up and we’re starting to see the Dandelions and Forget-me-nots joining the party. This can only mean one thing…it’s almost time for No Mow May! You can now officially join the No Mow Movement and help us give power to the flowers in as many gardens as possible. Join us as we prepare for No Mow May, celebrate National Dandelion Day and share top tips for starting a community meadow. Join the No Mow Movement Whether you've been with us from the start or it's your first No Mow May, we are so excited to have as part of the community. Give power to the flowers this May, continue through Let it Bloom June or enjoy mow-saic months with different lawn lengths throughout the year. Just like this amazing photo above which was taken by one of our Movement members Debbie, last year. Make sure to sign up for access to exclusive content including top tips from our experts! Did you know that last week was also Community Garden Week? The perfect time to celebrate those green spaces that bring people together to connect with nature. Read our blog on community meadows here. It's National Dandelion Day Saturday was National Dandelion Day! To celebrate this bright and beautiful little wildflower we wanted to share some of our favourite facts and folklore. What do you Know about the Primrose? There's a lot of celebrations this April! Did you know that 19 April is National Primrose Day? Can you guess which British Prime Minister chose Primrose as their favourite flower or which Queen sent bunches of this bloom regularly? Find out here – including how and where to spot this wonderful wildflower. Members Talk - Road Verges: Nature Hidden in Plain Sight The thin green lines of road verges can be the last stand for many treasured wild plants and fungi. But how can these pockets of nature along the edge of our roads help in the fight for nature recovery? Join our Road Verge Advisor, Mark Schofield to hear Plantlife’s ambition for these unassuming spaces. Find out more here. This talk is free for our members. Join and become a member from only as little as £3.25 per month. *If you are a member you should have already received your personal email invitation directly from our team (contact us if you haven’t). New members will receive a link in your welcome email. Want to Help our Plants and Fungi? Join Plantlife today and together we will secure a world rich in wild plants and fungi. You’ll receive an Identification Guide to fungi, lichens, wild plants and trees, as well as access to Member Events. You’ll see the impact you’re having in your Plantlife magazine. Join and Make a Difference Today Follow Plantlife on: Twitter Twitter Facebook Facebook Instagram Instagram YouTube YouTube LinkedIn LinkedIn Visit Plantlife's website Copyright © Plantlife All rights reserved. Plantlife International is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity in England and Wales (1059559) & Scotland, (SC038951) Registered Company in England and Wales (3166339) Registered Office: Brewery House,36 Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AP, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1722 342730 enquiries@plantlife.org.uk www.plantlife.org.uk You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive emails from Plantlife. If you don't want to receive emails from us in the future, please unsubscribe here.

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — TO STOP THE CULL AND SIGN THE PETITION

View this email in your browser No matter what happens we will always keep fighting for wildlife and for what's right. So just a quick update for you on the govt petition to end the Badger cull - we've passed 75k and are pushing towards the next milestone of 100,000! But I'm gonna be honest and say it really is going to go down to the wire. We have until May 28th to reach the 100k mark otherwise our chance to secure a Parliamentary debate on the issue will disappear. If you're reading this email and haven't already done so, please add your name today. It will only take 30 seconds :) And if you have any friends and family who live with you then you can also ask them to sign it too as multiple people can sign under the same address :) As always if you'd like to support our work to end the cull and our ongoing campaigns to protect British wildlife you can check out our online shop. We've just launched a new Stop the Cull car sticker (see design above) so you can support the cause when you're out and about! :) Thank you as always, Rob Support Protect the Wild Copyright © 2025 PROTECT THE WILD LTD, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: PROTECT THE WILD LTD Covent Garden, London 71-75 Shelton Street WC2H 9JQ Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp

234th NEWSLETTER FROM WILD JUSTICE — PETITION TO BAN DRIVEN GROUSE SHOOTING

Good morning! In this newsletter: our petition - click here - to ban driven grouse shooting has passed 88,000 signatures. We have until 22 May to secure the remaining 12,000 signatures to trigger a Westminster Hall debate. Also in this newsletter; the Private Eye story and a question of burning. Private Eye: last week we revealed that Private Eye had published one of three adverts we had placed with them and then decided not to publish the other two. We don't know why because Private Eye won't tell us, but they have published three letters slagging us off. We're pleased that the issue of gamebird releases is getting more and more publicity through only paying for one advert! We've written a pithy blog post in response to those three letters - click here. Many Wild Justice supporters are now disgruntled or even former readers of Private Eye as a result of Lord Gnome's high-handed behaviour. And many of you tell us that you are writing letters to Private Eye - here are contact details. Burning questions: Defra, last week, proposed measures to strengthen regulations on burning of vegetation on peatlands - the vast majority of it as management for grouse shooting. This is an area where Wild Justice, as far back as July 2021 - click here - sought to strengthen the regulations through a legal challenge. Some of what we called for has now come about - click here - and we have been active behind the scenes since that challenge. Of course, if driven grouse shooting were banned then the incentives for environmentally damaging burning would disappear... Our petition on banning driven grouse shooting: there are many reasons to clamp down on driven grouse shooting from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reducing flood risk and from reducing the legal and illegal killing of wildlife to reducing air pollution (click here for more details). Our blog lists the constituencies from which most signatures have come - click here. Top of the list is the marvellous Derbyshire Dales with 537 signatures but it's the total that counts. Your signature is just as valuable as anyone else's from anywhere else. We know that many subscribers share these newsletters - please consider sharing this one with friends and asking them to help us get to the 100,000 signatures. Thank you! Wild Justice depends on donations to do our work. You can donate through PayPal, bank transfer or a cheque in the post - see details here. You are our source of funding and a donation today would also feel like a vote of confidence in what we are doing. Thank you. . Wild Justice (Directors: Mark Avery, Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay). This is the 234th Wild Justice newsletter. This email was sent to you because you subscribed to it through the Wild Justice website or through an e-action or a petition where you ticked a box. Thank you. We will only use your personal details to send you the Wild Justice newsletter. We will not give or sell your details to anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time: there is an unsubscribe button at the foot of this email or you can reply to this email and ask us to remove you from the list (the former will happen immediately, the latter might take a few days). 9 Lawson St Raunds Wellingborough Northants NN9 6NG UNITED KINGDOM Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

FROM FRIENDS OF THE EARTH FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL — ITS OUR EARTH MONTH

View in browser Dear John, April marks Earth Month – a chance to renew our commitment to protecting the planet we all share. In a tough news cycle, Earth Month and the arrival of spring brings renewed hope and energy. To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with theprintspace to create Future Blooms – a limited-edition collection of beautiful, nature-inspired art prints. We’re delighted to have works donated by 15 talented and dynamic artists, such as Luke Adam Hawker, Sarah Andersen and Jess Currier, each bringing their unique style to the collection. Their pieces inspire connection with nature and foster optimism for a future where people and planet thrive together. We hope you’ll love browsing the pieces and you enjoy them as much as we do. I'LL BROWSE THE COLLECTION The collection is available to buy for a limited time only, from Thursday 3 April until Sunday 27 April. And as a valued Friends of the Earth supporter, we’re thrilled to offer you exclusive first access to the collection on Wednesday 2 April before it opens to the general public on Thursday. So if you’d like a piece for your home or office, or to give to someone, take a look at the Future Blooms collection now. I'LL BROWSE THE COLLECTION Want to know the best part? These generous artists are donating all profits towards our vital campaigning work – holding the UK government and corporations to account, and protecting nature and justice for all. So in addition to a beautiful new print for your wall, you’ll be supporting Friends of the Earth to bring about positive change for people and planet. We’d be interested to know if you buy a print. Reply to this email with your favourite piece or artist. And if you hang one up, we’d love a photo. Best wishes, Aleanna Supporter Relations Manager, Friends of the Earth PS Remember, your exclusive early access to the Future Blooms collection is only available for 24 hours. Then it will be open to the general public until Sunday 27 April. About us Supporter promise Privacy policy Contact us DONATE This email was sent to spanishjohnedwards@gmail.com Want to change how you receive these emails? Unsubscribe from this list We send communications to our supporters who have opted in to receive emails from us. Friends of the Earth Limited. Reg. No. 01012357. Incorporated in England and Wales. Registered office: Friends of the Earth The Printworks 139 Clapham Road London, SW9 0HP United Kingdom Copyright © Friends of the Earth Limited

WILD JUSTICE TOO EDGY FOR PRIVATE EYE SECOND ADVERT — REALLY — ESTABLISHMENT PRESSURE?

Good morning! We're fans of Private Eye because of its edginess and because it speaks truth to power. That's what Wild Justice tries to do too. So we were keen to run a series of three advertisements in the Eye to raise our profile and attract some new subscribers to this newsletter. Our first advert, on gamebirds, see above, was a cartoon by Edith Pritchett and it attracted lots of comments (although fewer new subscribers than we had hoped). We know that Wild Justice’s full-page advert was passed around in many conservation organisations and indeed in Whitehall. Who knows how many people, including decision-makers, now have a better insight into the vast numbers of non-native gamebirds released into the countryside as a result? We were surprised then, when Private Eye said that it wouldn't run our second and third adverts, especially as they gave no reason at all for this. They knew what they were publishing when they published it but they abruptly changed their minds. How odd! It's as though they were got at. It's as though they gave in to pressure from the shooting industry or some other vested interest. It seems that Wild Justice is too edgy for Private Eye. That's a great disappointment, but also somewhat amusing. Our next advert (another Edith Pritchett cartoon) will be placed elsewhere. It will be soon - and we'll let you know. Wild Justice - too edgy for Private Eye? Private Eye - too establishment for Wild Justice! Thank you, Wild Justice (Directors: Mark Avery, Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay). This is the 233rd Wild Justice newsletter. This email was sent to you because you subscribed to it through the Wild Justice website or through an e-action or a petition where you ticked a box. Thank you. We will only use your personal details to send you the Wild Justice newsletter. We will not give or sell your details to anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time: there is an unsubscribe button at the foot of this email or you can reply to this email and ask us to remove you from the list (the former will happen immediately, the latter might take a few days). 9 Lawson St Raunds Wellingborough Northants NN9 6NG UNITED KINGDOM Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

GUEST POST FROM TOM ANDERSON VIA PROTECT THE WILD

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more GRAPHIC: Warwickshire Hunt whipper-in convicted under Hunting Act. Benjamin Halsall of the Warwickshire Hunt convicted of hunting a wild mammal with dogs. TOM ANDERSON APR 2 ∙ GUEST POST READ IN APP Benjamin Halsall of the Warwickshire Hunt has been convicted of hunting a wild mammal with dogs in breach of the Hunting Act 2004. 'Whipper-in' Halsall, from Shipton-on-Stour, was found guilty by a District Judge at Coventry Magistrates' Court, after the court was shown footage of the Warwickshire Hunt's hounds ripping up a fox on 9 October 2023. He has been ordered to pay a £1000 fine and £1000 court costs. In a significant move, Warwickshire Hunt Limited was tried for the same offence, but was acquitted. A hunt has rarely been prosecuted as a corporate body by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). However, the District Judge reportedly said that the CPS had not put sufficient evidence forward against the Hunt as a legal entity. Benjamin Halsall convicted - photo via Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association Benjamin Halsall watches as a fox is ripped apart - photo via Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association This is one of several recent convictions of hunt members and supporters. Protect the Wild recently reported on the Blackmore and Sparkvale (BSV) Hunt's Charlie Mayo and Kieron Bashford pleading guilty to obstructing hunt sabs while the BSV was in pursuit of a fox and a few weeks ago former Essex & Suffolk Huntsman (ESH) Sam Staniland plead guilty to three animal cruelty charges under the Animal Welfare Act. Also in the last month, the prosecution of three more ESH huntsmen fell apart after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) failed to properly prepare its case. Fox brutally killed after Halsall drives her toward the hounds On 9 October 2023, according to the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA), Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs (3CHS) and Warwickshire Hunt Saboteurs (WCH) were both out sabbing the Warwickshire Hunt (WH). 3CHS filmed a fox being chased from the woods by the Hunt's hounds. She ran into hunter Benjamin Halsall at the top of Idlicote Hill. Hallsall managed to turn the fox around into the path of the hounds where she was ripped apart. The Warwickshire Hunt's hounds ripped apart a fox, after Benjamin Halsall sent her into their path- photo via Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association The Warwickshire Hunt's hounds rip apart a fox, after Benjamin Halsall sent her into their path- photo via Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association The HSA website published graphic footage of the fox being torn apart, and then Halsall coming and retrieving her body. Sabs tried to save the fox, but were unsuccessful. One sab from 3CHs was thrown to the ground by a member of the hunt. This assault was reported to Warwickshire Police, but the investigation was reportedly halted after the assailant fled the country. Not an isolated incident Halsall's behaviour is all too common for the Warwickshire Hunt. Sabs have gathered evidence of the Hunt chasing 29 foxes and one deer this season alone, in clear breach of the Hunting Act. Sab groups also recorded at least two incidents of the WH interfering with badger setts, in contravention of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Police attended the scene on no less than 28 occasions. Halsall picks up the dead fox - photo via Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association Halsall picks up the dead fox - photo via Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association CPS failed to make a proper case against Warwickshire Hunt Ltd According to a member of 3CHS who was present in court, the District Judge said that the "court has heard no evidence about who the Warwickshire Hunt Ltd are and what role they played". The judge did accept that the WH were present on the day and had organised the supposed 'trail hunt' in which Halsall was acting as 'whipper-in'. It was also accepted that he was acting as a "representative" of the hunt, albeit on a voluntary basis. The court heard evidence that Halsall had not received adequate training. However, the CPS did not present proper evidence setting out the corporate structure of Warwickshire Hunt Ltd and linking it with the killing of the fox. Neither did they present any evidence about who the directors of Warwickshire Hunt Ltd are. The Hunting Act states that the corporate body is guilty of an offence if it takes place "with the consent or connivance" of at least one officer (ie a director, manager or secretary) of the Hunt. It isn't surprising that the prosecution of Warwickshire Hunt Ltd failed. Warwickshire Police attempt to claw back their reputation Warwickshire Police (WP) put out the following statement about Halsall's conviction: "Last year communities across Warwickshire and the country were deeply saddened when they saw a video on social media showing illegal fox hunting. Officers from our Rural Crime Team worked incredibly hard to gather evidence to build up a robust case to put to the courts." Warwickshire Polivce even released a video statement about the conviction. So why the sudden police enthusiasm for prosecuting hunt members? In Protect the Wild's opinion this 'copaganda' has everything to do with repairing the force's damaged reputation after it was widely criticised for its close relationship with the Warwickshire Hunt. In fact, WP was recently forced to release a secret Protocol from the 2023/4 hunting season showing that the police had agreed to tell the Hunt every time they intended to turn up at any of their meets, a move tantamount to promising to tell a burglar before attempting to catch him in the act of robbing a house. The signing of the agreement coincided with the dropping of a Community Protection Notice (CPN) issued to WH. Full details of Warwickshire Police's secret agreement with WH can be found here. When we contacted WP about the disclosure of the Protocol, they pointed us to their press release about the conviction of Halsall - suggesting strongly that the enthusiastic police press work is part of a PR strategy to rebuild public trust after the embarrassing release of the Protocol. "Wildife is being killed in front of our eyes” A spokesperson for Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs made the following comment to the HSA about Halsall's conviction: “Three Counties were there that day supporting West Midlands Hunt Sabs. The Warwickshire hunt blatantly and deliberately hunted this fox which ended with them being ripped apart by the hounds. Witnessing an act of such horrific cruelty so close was deeply distressing. Hunting is still happening week in week out and wildlife is being killed in front of our eyes” A spokesperson for West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs commented to the HSA: “This confirms what we have been saying for a long time – the Warwickshire Hunt are regularly illegally hunting and killing foxes. They are operating as an organised crime group. It’s clear that foxes are still being hunted and killed 20 years after the Hunting Act was originally brought in. A £2000 fine is clearly not enough of a deterrent. The government needs to fulfil its promise to strengthen the Hunting Act.” The Hunt Saboteurs Association added: “Hunt saboteurs are the only ones stepping in to try and save foxes’ lives, and gather the evidence needed to bring cases to court. Without their bravery, foxes would be killed every week with no accountability. The courage and determination of these individuals highlights the need for stronger wildlife protections and ensures that these crimes don’t go unnoticed. It’s because of them that the fight to end fox hunting remains in the public eye and justice continues to be pursued.” Protect the Wild strongly agrees that a fine isn't gonna stop a hunt from menacing Warwickshire's wildlife. We need direct action to save lives, coupled with a campaign to push Labour to keep their promise and implement a workable ban on trail hunting. Sign our petition for a real ban on the hunting of mammals here. Featured images via Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association Check out West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs' website, and donate to support their work. Support Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, and make a donation to help them continue their work. Check out the Hunt Saboteurs Association website. Read the secret protocol that Warwickshire Police didn’t want anyone to see. See West Midlands Hunt Saboteur’s statement on Warwickshire Police's complicity with the Warwickshire hunt, on the Network for Police Monitoring website. A guest post by Tom Anderson Journalist for Protect the Wild Subscribe to Tom SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing