LIFE Programme’s Post

Reposting this powerful initiative from Butterfly Conservation, Buglife, and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust: The Big Insect Rescue Plan 🦋🐝 The video and survey highlight something crucial: the urgent need for stronger agri-environment schemes that genuinely support farmers in enhancing biodiversity, and for better monitoring of insect populations across landscapes. As someone working on pollinator conservation in Finland, this resonates deeply with me. Through my PhD project, I aim to design and optimize native plant mixtures for biodiversity-enhancement habitats that support wild bee and butterfly diversity in agricultural areas 🌾 Initiatives like the Big Insect Rescue Plan remind us how essential it is to build coordinated policies and local, evidence-based solutions. Every country has its own ecosystems, challenges, and opportunities to protect insects and the vital services they provide. Meaningful change begins when science, policy, and communities come together! 🌍 #PollinatorConservation #Biodiversity #AgriEnvironment #InsectRescuePlan #NatureBasedSolutions #Sustainability #Butterflies #Bees #Finland #ConservationScience #Policy

Those tall grasses along the road might look pretty—but they’re not supposed to be there. 🌾 They’re phragmites, an invasive reed that spreads fast, blocks water flow, and can even cause flooding by clogging ditches and shorelines. They crowd out native plants and destroy habitat for fish and wildlife. That’s why PLM treats phragmites using targeted, state-approved methods to restore balance and keep waterways open and healthy. 💧 #PhragmitesControl #InvasiveSpeciesManagement #HabitatRestoration #WetlandHealth #LakeManagement #EnvironmentalStewardship #HealthyLakes #AquaticEcology

In Sweden, a clever and natural solution is keeping wildlife safe during harsh winters. Roads are lined with beeswax-coated snow poles, which animals like moose, deer, and foxes instinctively avoid. The sweet coating gives a scent and taste that wildlife associates with caution, redirecting them away from dangerous traffic. This approach is part of Sweden’s broader commitment to reducing animal-vehicle collisions and preserving biodiversity. Unlike fences or barriers, the beeswax poles are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and require minimal maintenance. By understanding animal behavior, engineers have created a simple yet highly effective safety measure. Wildlife can navigate snowy landscapes safely, while drivers face fewer hazards — a win-win for both humans and animals. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best innovations combine nature and science rather than relying solely on high-tech solutions. #SwedenInnovation #WildlifeSafety #EcoSolutions #NatureTech #RoadSafety

Tree planting success depends on choosing species that match local environmental conditions. Native trees are adapted to local soil types, rainfall patterns, and support existing wildlife populations. Proper tree selection considers available space, water access, and soil conditions. Post-planting care including watering and protection significantly improves survival rates. Selecting appropriate native species creates better long-term outcomes for both trees and local ecosystems. Learn about native tree selection - https://lnkd.in/e6pUt92h #nativetrees #treeplanting #localspecies #plantingsuccess #NatureGuardians

Across America’s grasslands, farmers and ranchers are teaming up with Pheasants Forever to bring conservation to life. In Montana, the Grasslands Initiative is helping producers like Sterling Ballbach restore over 2,000 acres of native habitat—boosting both cattle and wildlife along the way.    Click the link below to learn more about the Montana Grasslands Initiative and the work being done on the Ballbach ranch. https://bit.ly/47T4eCK #pheasantsforever #thehabitatorganization

New research shows Amazon communities protect 86× more land than they manage. A new study from the University of East Anglia and Instituto Juruá shows just how powerful community-led conservation can be. Across the western Brazilian Amazon, local communities managing fisheries along the Juruá River have protected an area 86 times larger than the lakes they directly manage. Around 15 million hectares of floodplain and forest. By working together to guard oxbow lakes and sustainably harvest arapaima fish, these communities have restored thriving populations of otters, turtles, manatees, and countless other species. And they’ve done it at a fraction of the cost of traditional protected area enforcement. It’s a strong validation of what we see repeatedly at Earthly, nature-based projects led by local communities consistently deliver the highest impact, both for people and the planet. #CommunityConservation #AmazonRainforest #NatureBasedSolutions #LocalLeadership #EcosystemRestoration Reference Study: Nature “Community-based management expands ecosystem protection footprint in Amazonian forests” (s41893-025-01633-6)

Fascinating research results here. Would love to see a similar exploration of the impact that Scotland’s community landowners have. So many communities across Scotland are working on ecological restoration and biodiversity projects: what can we learn from this study to quantify not only the direct impact but also the functional and incidental impact of their work?

Otters are vital to healthy freshwater ecosystems. They keep rivers balanced and are among the best indicators of water quality. Yet across India, otters are quietly disappearing as pollution, habitat loss, and human disturbance threaten their survival and the rivers they depend on. Apoorva Sodhi, a doctoral fellow at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, is studying otter populations to understand their health, connectivity, and how human pressures affect them. Using non-invasive methods and community insights, she aims to build strong scientific evidence to guide conservation action. To support her work, head to https://lnkd.in/gZMbKuvt #OtterConservation #FreshwaterEcosystems #WildlifeResearch #ProtectOurRivers

Rewilding success in the UK: Water voles return to the River Lea after 20 years 🐭 The Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, alongside local partners and volunteers, has reintroduced 100 Water voles to the Upper River Lea — the first return of the species there in over two decades. Water voles play a vital ecological role: - Their burrowing strengthens riverbanks - Their grazing maintains diverse vegetation - They help sustain predators like herons, stoats, and fish Funded through the Projects for Nature platform, this initiative shows what’s possible when conservation, landowners, and community groups work together for ecosystem restoration. 🌿 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d9iWEA2H 📸 Photo credit: Paul Thrush #Conservation #NatureRestoration #Rewilding #Biodiversity #Wetlands #UKWildlife #GlobalConservationSolutions

Birds play critical roles in our ecosystems. They are pollinators, pest controllers, scavengers, seed dispersers, and valuable indicators of ecosystem health. And they're remarkable animals that need protections. We're partnering with the Massachusetts Audubon Society to better understand the movement of migratory birds by installing a MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System here in the Boston area. This information will help inform how we can best protect them. Learn more about this important conservation partnership: https://lnkd.in/eZsShmnU #WorldMigratoryBirdDay