Luke Steele

8 June 2025

Hello BlueSky! Excited to be here to meet people, new and old. I'm a magpie-like collector of passions, most connected by the common threads of nature and the environment. Nature and climate advocacy; environmental law and policy; rewilding and nature restoration; wildlife; adventuring.

Luke Steele reposted

ECIU

@eciu.net

England as a whole has received 52% of its long-term average rainfall for October Growing concerns that farmers may not be able to refill water storage reservoirs over the winter, acc @EnvAgency

yes-dtn.ac.ukYES-27-G-02: Building Climate-Resilient Landscapes: Ecohydrological Recovery of Peat and Organo-Mineral Soils - Yorkshire Environmental Sciences • Doctoral Training NetworkProject overview How quickly can degraded landscapes recover their ability to store water, reduce flooding, and increase resilience to climate extremes? Healthy soils are fundamental to resilient catc...

A fantastic PhD research opportunity to work with the community-led Bridestones Rewilded and the University of Leeds to explore the dynamics of peatland restoration.

Interestingly, much of the research on peatland restoration hitherto comes from the perspective of utilities, public bodies and environmental NGOs. But very little on community-led initiatives. This is a real opportunity to look at an overlooked but important area of nature recovery.

manchestereveningnews.co.ukHow '4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire' are protecting us against moor firesEight years on from the devastating fires of 2018 Winter Hill is still recovering, but a huge new scheme to 'rewet' the moor hopes to prevent future disasters

Great to see peatland restoration happening at scale in the West Pennines. And let's give credit where it's due. Water companies have seriously stepped up investment in restoring catchments. Good for the climate, nature and water quality. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...

Luke Steele reposted

Exmoor National Park

@exmoornp.bsky.social

We have teamed up with Somerset Wildlife Trust and Aviva to transform a site on Exmoor into nature-rich, native woodland Read more www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enpa/press-r... New Somerset wildlife trust and Exmoor woodland site to the left of Haddon hill on the picture shown

Luke Steele reposted

James Bullock

@jmbecologist.bsky.social

Restoration ecologists have long known that many ecosystems are so degraded that simply leaving them to recover naturally will not work Dispersal limitation, damaged substrate, excess nutrients, altered hydrology, etc mean active intervention is needed to recreate rich ecosystems in a timely way

Luke Steele reposted

Woodland Trust Scotland

@wtscotsocial.bsky.social

Great to see Ardtornish Estate using livestock grazing to restore #ScotlandsRainforest. It needs the right level of grazing to develop a varied woodland structure & create space for bryophytes & lichens. Being able to adjust grazing levels is important too. Advice ➡️ buff.ly/RvJxXmM buff.ly/txVfEwh

buff.lyEndangered Irish cattle brought to Scotland for 'rainforest' restoration projectThe animals are known for their ability to forage over difficult and varied ground

Luke Steele reposted

Tim Farron

@timfarron.bsky.social

Just being talking to a farmer who is devastated by yesterday’s SFI disaster. 90% of their farm failed to get into SFI due to the calamitous closure of the window after less than 6 hours yesterday. Ministers must come up with an emergency solution today.

theguardian.com‘Worse than the scramble for Oasis tickets’: England’s sustainable farming funds run out in just six hoursEntire £233m budget for 2026 allocated in less than a day, leaving thousands of farmers disappointed

Investment in sustainable land management delivers real benefits, from supporting farmers to restoring nature and the ecosystem services it provides. Yet the SFI remains a bureaucratic muddle. It needs a bigger budget, a fairer and simpler application process and more certainty.

And while we're at it, there needs to be more Natural England advisers to help smaller landowners, land managers and tenants farmers navigate schemes like SFI. Their numbers seem to have dwindled over the years. Hardly surprising, then, if those who need the most help struggle to access it.

20 Sept

As we enter Yom Kippur, I’m reminded of this beautiful and striking painting by Jacob Kramer, capturing something of the millennia of tradition behind the day. I found this book of his works by chance in a little shop in York, while the original painting is in Leeds Art Gallery.

theguardian.comAndy Burnham: UK must fully commit to reaching net zero by 2050Exclusive: PM, who is facing pressure over whether to approve North Sea oil and gasfields, makes strongest comments yet on issue

19 Sept

"I am acutely aware that our changing climate is a major concern for many Britons…I am determined that we...reach net zero by 2050." - Significant comments from the Prime Minister, setting out the direction of the UK’s approach to addressing climate change under his premiership.

Luke Steele reposted

Plantlife

@plantlifeuk.bsky.social

14 Sept

The UK’s largest citizen science fungi survey, #WaxcapWatch, is back!🍄 It’s really easy to take part. Just head out to a grassy spot and record any waxcaps and grassland fungi you find. Join today 👉 www.plantlife.org.uk/waxcapwatch/

theguardian.comCountry diary: This moorland needed rainfall – it got something even better | Ed DouglasEyam Moor, Derbyshire: It’s a place that I treasure greatly, and now it has a change of ownership that is worth celebrating

13 Sept

Lots of beautiful dishes for Rosh Hashanah, with a sweet apple pie taking centre stage. 🍎🍯 !שנה טובה ומתוקה

Luke Steele reposted

Nic Wilson

@nicwilson.bsky.social

8 Sept

Good news for the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and for nature in today's @theguardian.com country diary by @calmandfearless.bsky.social. #naturewriting #countrydiary

Luke Steele reposted

Adam Vaughan

@adamvaughan.bsky.social

1 Sept

UK prime minister Andy Burnham has confirmed he will attend #COP31, the climate conference in Nov. Interesting he chose to announce it early, to avoid any "will-he-won't-he" stories as has happened with previous PMs. Also deliberate bit of climate leadership as he could've just sent Miliband.

@craigbennett3.bsky.social

3 Sept

“To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival.” - Wendell Berry Few writers and environmentalists have expressed so beautifully the need to live with greater humility towards the natural world.

Luke Steele reposted

Craig Bennett

15 Aug

So, against my better judgement, I'm going to be doing the #GreatNorthRun in wonderful #Newcastle in September to raise money for our #Rothbury appeal. Please do support me if you can! Thanks ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/craig-ben...

ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.comCraig's pageWhy I'm running for The Rothbury Estate appeal I’m Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts, and I’m taking on the Great North Run to help secure The Rothbury Estate. This is a once-in-a-generation o

politicshome.comWe should empower farmers to build more pondsThe government can pull a simple lever to help farmers combat the effects of extreme heat.

25 Aug

Good to see this Private Members’ Bill making it easier for farmers and landowners to create ponds. It’s common sense. Ponds help wildlife, the environment and reduce the impact of drought and floods. @AngelaEagle1.bsky.social, will the government support it? www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

yorkshirepost.co.ukCastle Howard nature restoration project brings in rare White Park cattleDescendants of Britain’s original wild white cattle that were enclosed in parks by the nobility during the middle ages have been introduced at the North’s leading stately home.

23 Aug

This is really cool. Castle Howard has brought in rare White Park cattle for conservation grazing as part of its ambitious nature restoration programme. The cattle help shape the grassland ecosystem, creating a mosaic that benefits birds and insects. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/country-and-...

Luke Steele reposted

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

@derbyswildlife.bsky.social

18 Aug

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a private landowner, 600 acres of Eyam Moor has been donated to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, making this the largest single land acquisition in the Trust’s history! Read the full story: https://pulse.ly/zvkbyehziz

theguardian.comUK politics: Country a ‘tinderbox’, says Burnham, as he calls in military and bans disposable barbecues – as it happenedPM also says fire and rescue services will be given more cash

14 Aug

"We have to face up to the changing climate....There’s no point denying where we are. We need to face up to it. We need more clean energy. We need to see that transition accelerate." Significant comments from the PM on his approach to addressing climate change. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Luke Steele reposted

Politics UK

@politicsuk.com

12 Aug

🚨 BREAKING: Andy Burnham has now told shops and retailers to stop selling disposable BBQs “Extreme heat could be with us for some weeks yet”

bbc.co.ukWhite-tailed eagles released onto Exmoor National ParkUp to 20 additional young birds will be released over the next three years.

4 Aug

What marvellous news. White-tailed eagles back on Exmoor, wheeling over the hills as they did centuries ago. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Luke Steele reposted

The Times and Sunday Times

@thetimes.com

3 Aug

Journalist who increased listener figures as editor of the Today programme and later became a witty provocateur at The Spectator and The Sunday Times dies aged 66

thetimes.comRod Liddle obituary: irreverent but brilliant columnist and broadcaster

Luke Steele reposted

Trees for Life

@treesforlife.bsky.social

1 Aug

18 years. One extraordinary journey. 💚 Together, we've helped transform Dundreggan into a thriving #rewilding landscape where forests are returning, wildlife is flourishing and people are reconnecting with #nature. 👉 Swipe through to celebrate 18 years of rewilding #Dundreggan.

Luke Steele reposted

Manx Peat Partnership

@manxpeat.bsky.social

30 July

We definitely need more rain 🙏🏻💦 however it is good to see that our work is helping to keep the hills wet. Slowing the flow of water is especially important in prolonged dry weather, but is also important after heavy rain as it can reduce erosion 😊 #peatland

Luke Steele reposted

Leo Hickman

@leohickman.carbonbrief.org

30 July

++BREAKING++ The UK and Spanish governments have issued a joint statement overnight: "[We] agreed that this summer’s wildfires demonstrated that climate change was now a national security emergency facing Europe and threatening our way of life." www.gov.uk/government/n...

Luke Steele reposted

Damian Carrington

@dpcarrington.bsky.social

28 July

The @theguardian.com view on Europe’s #wildfires: politics must catch up with the new reality - At a time when the quickening pace of global heating has never been clearer, climate policies are being deprioritised #climatecrisis www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comThe Guardian view on Europe’s wildfires: politics must catch up with the new reality | EditorialEditorial: At a time when the quickening pace of global heating has never been clearer, climate policies are being deprioritised

@rewildscotland.bsky.social

26 July

Pride is a celebration of equality and freedom. Hate will never stop the fight for equality. Solidarity with Berlin. 🇩🇪🇬🇧🏳️‍🌈

Luke Steele reposted

Rewild Scotland

26 July

Wonderful! Landscape scale ecological restoration. Carrifran, Scotland 🌳 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Aug 2004 - July 2026

news.sky.comCairngorms National Park wildfire declared major incident as hundreds of villagers told to evacuateAs a result of the fire spreading, all residents of Nethy Bridge have been advised to evacuate as a precaution, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said.

26 July

Climate change isn't some distant problem. It's here. These aren't stories about what might happen one day. They're about what's happening today People who say we should ease up on climate action are ignoring reality. We don't need less. We need more and we need it now news.sky.com/story/cairng...

Luke Steele reposted

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

@yorkswildlife.bsky.social

24 July

Defra’s Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme, administered by @naturalengland.bsky.social has enabled a massive step change in peatland restoration right across the #GreatNorthBog. 1/2

pressreleasehub.pa.mediaEngland’s largest nature restoration project under single ownership sets a new benchmark for financing nature recovery

22 July

A landmark moment for nature recovery. Congratulations to Restore on taking ownership of the 7,500-acre Emblehope Estate in Northumberland. The scale of this project creates a huge opportunity to showcase upland restoration at a landscape scale. pressreleasehub.pa.media/article/engl...

Luke Steele reposted

Politics UK

@politicsuk.com

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham has appointed Angela Eagle as Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary

Enjoyed hearing Andy Burnham speak at the Manchester Green Summit during his time as Mayor about: 🌍 Accelerating the transition to carbon net zero 🌳 Maintaining commitments to nature and environmental targets 👷 Developing green jobs and skills

His biggest environmental challenges as Prime Minister won't be announcing new targets. It will be making sure those ambitions deliver real benefits. Energy security, lower bills, industrial renewal and higher living standards through cleaner air and water and access to high quality green spaces.

Burnham delivered real progress for both people and the environment in Manchester through devolution. But leading the country is a very different challenge. Let's hope he can deliver again.

wildway.infoWhy have we stopped planting big trees in towns and cities?Large trees of 20-30m create cooling shade and vast habitat

Good article. Green spaces make cities and towns healthier and better places to live, so the question isn’t if we should invest in them, but why more places aren’t doing it. Manchester and Sheffield show what's possible. The benefits for the economy, public health and biodiversity are obvious.

Jack Wallington@jackwallington.com

Why have we stopped planting big trees in towns and cities? www.wildway.info/p/why-have-w... Large trees of 20-30m create cooling shade and vast habitat

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greytogreen.org.ukGrey to Green – SheffieldGrey to Green is an award-winning scheme bringing colour and sustainability to inner-city Sheffield. It helps with flood prevention and has created a green public space that encourages cycling and wal...

Thirdly, Sheffield's Grey to Green project. What stands out is that much of it was delivered by retrofitting existing streets, rather than waiting for new development. There's a common argument that retrofit isn't viable at scale. Sheffield shows otherwise. www.greytogreen.org.uk

Lastly, the incoming devolution drive will create huge opportunities for urban development. The places that invest in street trees, green space and sustainable drainage will reap the social, economic and biodiversity benefits. And the places that don't risk being behind the curve for years to come.

wildway.infoWhy have we stopped planting big trees in towns and cities?Large trees of 20-30m create cooling shade and vast habitat

Jack Wallington@jackwallington.com

Why have we stopped planting big trees in towns and cities? www.wildway.info/p/why-have-w... Large trees of 20-30m create cooling shade and vast habitat

Case in point, St Peter's Square in Manchester. The redevelopment included planting large trees. 🌳 During the heatwave the number of people using the shade says everything. Better urban cooling, cleaner air and a more comfortable public space. This is what good urban planning looks like.

Another great example, Mayfield Park in Manchester. Just five minutes from Piccadilly Station, it's a fantastic green space that's buzzing with people and wildlife. The key wasn't to treat green space as an afterthought to development, but to put it front and centre of modern urban planning.

@channel4news.bsky.social

Breakfast 😋

Luke Steele reposted

Channel 4 News

13 July

In the first part of our special Substack mini-series examining the impact of climate change, @liamdutton.bsky.social explores why temperatures are rising and heatwaves are becoming more frequent.

channel4news.substack.comHow climate change made Europe’s extreme June heat worseIn the first part of our special Substack mini-series examining the impact of climate change, Liam Dutton explores why temperatures are rising and heatwaves are becoming more frequent.