South Yorkshire Econet (Biodiversity Research Group)

16/10/2026

It was great to welcome Harvey to our event last week and listen to his presentation on these super cute little frogs albeit with a serious conservation message behind it. He showed just how much our mosaic habitats have declined unlike in other European countries but hopefully working with partners, Celtic Rewilding can re-introduce these into new suitable habitats. I think tree frog should be renamed tree-bramble frog 🐸

10/10/2026

We're drawing together the notes from the event and producing a couple of post-event reels for attendees. We'll also publish a summary for general release which will be on our social media feeds.

10/10/2026

After a couple of packed days with excellent speakers and interesting discussions plus plenty of networking amongst speakers and delegates, it is time for a change on the header photo. This time it is a seasonal photo of ivy flowers - a late season source of food for a huge range of insects.

06/10/2026

🌿 Opening the conference tomorrow will be Professor Ian D. Rotherham. Ian will explore how our ideas of native and non-native species have developed, and challenge the assumption that nature is something fixed or stable. As landscapes, climates and species change, what might the nature of the future look like?

10.15am tomorrow: Where does Nature Belong? Loving the Aliens?

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

We’re looking forward to two days of talks, discussion and debate exploring What is Native? Where does Nature Belong?

More information on our website: https://www.ukeconet.org/nature-in-its-place-what-is-native.html

06/10/2026

Our 2-day What is Native seminar starts tomorrow and I've just posted up the abstracts for the speakers' presentations on our webpage. We've got a great line up but sadly bookings have now closed so unless you have already reserved your place you will not be able to join us. However we will be published a post-event reel covering the main themes.

04/10/2026

🌿 Meet our speaker: Andy Alder

Andy has a lifelong interest in natural history and landscape history. After teaching at Nottingham Trent University for twenty years, he took early retirement to concentrate on his micro holding, writing and his consultancy work in landscape history, woodland crafts and low-impact living.

He is the author of Small Projects in a Big World and is currently writing his second book exploring the philosophy behind his low-impact lifestyle.

We’re looking forward to hearing Andy explore a different approach to gardening in his talk:

The Accidental Garden

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

01/10/2026

Making Space for Nature? Ian asks the question whilst observing arable farming in the Wolds.

Not much space for nature in this arable farmland in the Yorkshire Wolds. It is productive farmland but only through intensive physical & chemical inputs – but it could be so much more& #8…

01/10/2026

🌿 Meet our speaker: Peter Shepherd

Peter is a botanist with 40 years of research and professional experience and is a Director of BSG Ecology Ltd. His career has included research into the urban vegetation of Central England and working as Urban Conservation Officer for the Nottingham Urban Wildlife Scheme. He is also the author of The Plants of Nottingham, A City Flora.

🌱 What does being ‘native’ mean for the plants growing in our towns and cities, and how might that change in the future?

We’re looking forward to hearing Peter explore these questions in his talk:

Nativism and plants in urban environments – looking ahead to the next generation?

https://www.ukeconet.org/nature-in-its-place-what-is-native.html

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