Illegal plants in Ireland; As we have almost passed the season of the wild bluebell in the woods. It is interesting to note that the Spanish bluebell is declared illegal in Ireland because of the damage it could do if the plant interbreeds with our wild and beautiful bluebell. I once saw these cultivated plants thrown quite casually in the woods in garden rubbish. This, of course, is how the problem takes place. I am not quite sure whether we have the same rule in England. The other illegal plants that should not be on sale and were mentioned were Cherry Laurel, rhododendron ponticum and Hottentot fig, out of a list of 34 species.
I have been watching Rewilding programmes, and it is quite fascinating to see how animals, and plants of course, change the nature of their environment and there are people out there, luckily with enough money to devote their land to experimenting with rewilding. We often interfere with how the rivers and streams run in our country, culverting them into long straight ditches or dykes. A beaver will teach you differently as they busily work away on building their dams. Something similar happens when you allow water from a hill to make its own way down, creating winding pathways of water. It is this gentle flow, especially through the land at the bottom that slows the carrying away of the pesticides in the rivers that we throw on the land.
One of the schemes that I have followed over the years is the Langholm Moor Initiative in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. This moor was put on the market and the local people from the town of Langholm decided to buy it. This was a tremendous effort on their part, 5000 acres, now I believe 10,000 acres, at several million pounds. But they raised the money and the land now belongs to the community. And such things as the large plantations of evergreen timber planted by the Forestry are being cut down.
We were in this area a few years back, going to see the Buddhist temple Samye Linge that lies in the valley there. There were two stone circles we wanted to see and Paul was taking some books to give to the monks. Even now my heart quickens at the thought of the lush countryside in this Southern part of Scotland, I even fancied living there but truly it was a long way to the towns. And sadly I am not religious either ;) but as I have followed the Samye Linge social media it is surprising to see how many people attend the courses there and of course the influence it has on the people around who may have moved to the area because of the Buddhist temple.
Man altering his environment is nothing new - looks at the Norfolk Broads for example.
ReplyDeleteAs for rewinding, in Northumberland the National Trust are destroying many decades of responsible farming and land husbandry, and many rural jobs and communities, all in the name of "rewinding".
There is a change in today's world though Will. Land Improvement was the name of the game but with the loss of our diverse wildlife, I believe we are the worst in Europe, we need to make amends. The farmers always take advantage of the subsidies, whether it is for growing our food or for wildlife, so surely there is compromise there.
DeleteWe have done much in the name of 'progress,' and much of it unnecessary and harmful. Rewilding, carefully planned and conducted, can only lead to good results.
ReplyDeleteYes Janice that is so, Isabella Tree and her husband are experimenting on their farm of 3,500 acres in Sussex. She has written a couple of books on how it has worked out. I find that the loss of insects, whether they be bees or butterflies really worrying.
DeleteI don't know enough about all of this to give any practical solutions or arguments.
ReplyDeleteI think mostly Ellen there is not a solution to every problem in the world. What will be will be. It is just interesting.
ReplyDelete