Sustainability

Articles reflecting our commitment to conservation, environmental sensitivity and sustainability.

james donaldson juniper conservation

Juniper Conservation - James' Winter Work

Our home correspondent Kate Hannett tags along with James Donaldson,…

Working with the RSPB

The RSPB has been around since 1889 has over 200 nature reserves…
Islay wildflower verges

All About The Verges

A report from Islay Natural History Trust about their two year study of wildflowers and pollinators living on the verges, funded by The Botanist Foundation.
The Case Against Foraging

The Case Against Foraging - a big read

Is Foraging Sustainable? A Conservationist's Perspective - Dave Winnard

Is Foraging Sustainable? A Conservationist's Perspective

Common cordgrass Spartina anglica

The Twite, the Cordgrass, and the Forager

Dave Winnard of Discover the Wild  joined us in Islay for a…

Is drinking sustainable? A maker's perspective

In these doom laden times just how sustainable is our intoxication with the intoxicating? Can we have our dram and drink it?
meadowsweet

RSPB Foraging Walk along the woodland trail

Mark and Dave set out on a foraging walk with a group of sixteen guests along the Woodland Trail starting out from the RSPB Loch Gruinart Visitor Centre.
Wayfarer High Road

Wayfarers' world

Ally Kelsey of White Lyan

Local - The opposite of air miles

We champion local flavours. Wherever you happen to be in the world we like to encourage creativity in using what you find locally
botanist team learning

The Botanist Foundation

The Botanist Foundation is the Community Interest Company is introduced at the 'State of Nature' launch in Edinburgh.
Mark Williams by the River Kelvin, Glasgow

Along the River Kelvin - Glasgow

There are some beautifully verdant, semi-wild areas of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. The name Glasgow means "green hollow" and has often been translated as "dear green place"
Foraging starts at home

Foraging Starts At Home

Foraging isn't about searching. Its about seeing. Foraging Tutor Mark Williams draws back the green veil.

The Countryside Code - a Quick guide

An informal code of conduct in the countryside. Always check local laws and obtain permissions before foraging.
Wild Plants - Lesser Celandines

Wild Plants and the Law

The law governing foraging, the picking of wild plants for your personal use, varies from country to country around the world.
Islay juniper

Islay Juniper

Juniper (Juniperus communis ssp.nana), once abundant, is now rare on Islay. This local variant is a low, prostrate variety that clings low to the ground mostly in exposed coastal areas