South Yorkshire Econet (Biodiversity Research Group)

16/06/2026

Following on from our first reel for the October conference is this post from Ian about attitudes to parakeets in the UK. We were in the office yesterday afternoon and saw an Alexandrine parakeet perched on top of an ash tree in the urban Heeley area of Sheffield, very impressive and quite unexpected!

Visit the post for more.

16/06/2026

What is Native? Nature in its Place?

Where does nature belong?

These are deceptively simple questions, yet they sit at the heart of many contemporary debates around conservation, rewilding, climate change and nature recovery.

This short reel introduces some of the themes behind our conference this October, where speakers from across ecology, archaeology, environmental history and conservation will explore how landscapes have changed through time, how they continue to evolve, and what role we might play in shaping their futures.

📅 7–8 October 2026
📍 Lees Hall Golf Club, Sheffield

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03/06/2026

Ian's latest blog poses an interesting question as No Mow May turns into Mow Mow June! What has happened to all the wildlife depending on the meadow?

From ‘No Mow May’ to ‘Mow Mow June’…. the same roadside verges as featured previously got mowed today. I wonder what you think? Pretty much zero pollen & nectar, n…

28/05/2026

And not just other wildlife but us too!

23/05/2026

Following on from our very interesting Creating & Managing Meadows and Scrub conference this week, Ian is posting a series of blog articles celebrating 'No Mow May'

No Mow May – reaping the benefits. This is my first post on ‘No Mow May’ impacts & opportunities with more to follow in due course on the blog.There’s plenty of good stu…

12/05/2026

In this clip filmed in Graves Park, Ian Rotherham and Christine Handley reflect on how a grass mower strike in the 1980s revealed a hidden wildflower habitat which is now recognised as an irreplaceable ancient grassland meadow.

Founded by Plantlife, the No Mow May movement has helped transform the conversation around lawns, verges and urban greenspaces.

Next week, we’re delighted to welcome Andy Jennings-Giles from Plantlife: saving wild plants, speaking on:
“No Mow May and urban greenspace: Let’s embrace a little ‘untidiness’ to support our wildflowers and soothe our minds.”

Bookings close soon so don't miss your chance to join the conversation:
bookwhen.com/sybrg

11/05/2026

We’re delighted to welcome Dr Ruth Starr-Keddle from the as one of our speakers at next week’s conference.

Ruth specialises in upland hay meadow restoration and has spent many years working with hill farmers to restore and enhance species-rich grasslands. More recently, through the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme (North Pennines National Landscape and Yorkshire Dales National Park), she has been involved in a wide range of practical nature recovery work, from green hay transfer and seed collecting to habitat creation for breeding waders.

Bookings close soon, don't miss out:
https://bookwhen.com/sybrg

11/05/2026

We're getting ready for our Creating & Managing Meadows and Scrub conference next week, (20th and 21st May). So, in celebration of that we have a new cover photo - spring at Woodhouse Washlands Nature Reserve.
Plantlife: saving wild plantsSheffield & Rotherham Wildlife TrustSheffield Parks and Countryside