Environment Matters on Mix 92.6
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Amanda Yorwerth talks all things environment with a focus on Hertfordshire
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4 days ago
The Antidote to Black Friday
We’ve just had Black Friday which, unsurprisingly turns out to be bad news for the planet and, on the whole, bad news for us too. So on this week’s Environment Matters we have an antidote. With all takings going to charity, all materials reclaimed or gathered locally and the accent on kindness to yourself, each ... Read more
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Nov 20, 2023
Life on the sedge
In this Environment Matters podcast, Astrid Biddle of the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust tells the amazing story of how the Scarce Tufted Sedge, found only here in Hertfordshire, is being rescued from the brink. It’s a story of discovery, cooperation and hope and a demonstration of how even the rarest things in nature have ... Read more
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Nov 16, 2023
Help garden wildlife this weekend
Winter is a tough time for wildlife that lives in your garden or outdoor space, but there’s a few simple things that you can do this weekend to give it a hand. In this podcast, Amanda has some ideas you might not have thought of and is joined by Martin Maylin of Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog ... Read more
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Nov 7, 2023
Eco Laundry Products on Trial
Choosing a laundry product that cleans your washing and is good for the planet can be a minefield. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast Amanda enlists the help of Sonia, Ruth, Juliet, Jean, Laura and Talya to put a range of products to the test and give you some pointers to make your wash better ... Read more
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Oct 29, 2023
Why can’t I go there?
Listener and cyclist Mike Hartley is concerned that crucial local public rights of way have recently been shut – in particular at Heartwood and at Oaklands College. In this podcast, hear about the problems caused by these closures, why they’ve happened and what’s being done about them.
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Oct 23, 2023
Fabulous fungi
They’re beautiful, they’re mysterious and they’re essential for life on earth – they’re fungi. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Chloe Valerie Harmsworth of the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust chats to Amanda about why fungi are important, where to find them and some strange and interesting fungi to look out for on your autumn ... Read more
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Oct 15, 2023
Regenerative Agriculture on Trial
There’s a lot of hope placed in the practice of regenerative agriculture – but how much of it is well founded? Step in Rothamsted Research scientists who are putting regenerative agriculture techniques to the test. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Team Leader Professor Jonathan Storkey explains what regenerative agriculture is and talks about the long ... Read more
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Oct 9, 2023
Operation Ocelot
Children can feel powerless in the face of climate change and loss of the natural world. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Amanda talks to Dan Bradbury of the World Land Trust about Operation Ocelot, aimed at showing children that they can make a real difference to help both nature and the climate.
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Oct 2, 2023
The State of Nature – in Hertfordshire
The 2023 Great Britain State of Nature report makes depressing reading, but there are some rays of hope. Chloe Edwards of the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust explains how are things shaping up in Hertfordshire, and how we can all take action to turn these grim figures around. If you’d like to take action now ... Read more
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Sep 25, 2023
Pea-sy ways to keep food out of your bin
Here in Hertfordshire we are still, yes, still, throwing out food to the value of £720/family/year. Crazy! But whilst bad habits can be hard to kick, Helena Jackson of Wasteaware Herts has a proven solution. So find out how you can save cash whilst making a dent in your carbon footprint in this week’s Environment ... Read more
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Sep 19, 2023
Solar Together is Back
Registration is now open for this year’s Solar Together. But is it for you? In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Cllr Raj Visram explains what Solar Together is and local resident Martin talks about his experience with Solar Together last year.
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Sep 11, 2023
OLLiE Outdoors
The OLLiE Foundation is recognising the huge benefits that being outside in nature can bring – not just using growing things and green places as a nurturing environment for positive mental health, but also helping young people champion sustainability to overcome eco anxiety. In this podcase, Debi Roberts, CEO of the Foundation, talks about their ... Read more
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Sep 4, 2023
The Saturday Pickers
Back at the start of the summer, 8 year old Grace Gaskin was the inspiration behind The Saturday Pickers, who’ve spent an hour a week cleaning up the New Greens Area of St Albans. But what started as just litter picking has proved to have more going for it than just tidy streets. In this ... Read more
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Aug 29, 2023
Where does my recycling go?
In this podcast, Wasteaware Coordinator David Birley talks about the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership Final Destinations Report 21-22 which has details of where your recycling goes and what happens to it when it gets there. The report that is discussed can be found at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/media-library/documents/waste/hwp-final-destinations-report-2021-22.pdf
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Aug 21, 2023
Turning climate anxiety into a climate conversation
Sustainability author, blogger and influencer, Jen Gale of Sustainableish, talks about her anxiety about the climate and how she uses conversations to help herself and the planet. To read more of Jen’s down to earth sustainability advice and to buy her books, check out the Sustainableish website. Photo credit: Priscilla Du Preez, Unsplash
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Aug 13, 2023
How to become the Secret Weapon of Awesome
Turn your despair about the climate into a conversation – it’s been shown to be one of the most effective things we can do for the planet and has been described as making you the Secret Weapon of Awesome. Find out how in this week’s Environment Matters podcast where Amanda talks to experienced climate conversationalist, ... Read more
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Aug 6, 2023
The GreenArt Effect
The St Albans Arts Team have decided to embark on an exciting year of events and projects promoting sustainability and environmental awareness that they’re calling The GreenArt Effect. Grae Wall chats about it on this week’s Environment Matters podcast. Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
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Jul 31, 2023
Love coffee?
If you love coffee, then listen to this week’s Environment Matters podcast to hear the amazing Mo from Sustain Coffee in Old Hatfield explain all about how your favourite drink could be more sustainable and more delicious.
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Jul 31, 2023
Can your coffee be a force for good?
We all love a cup of coffee, but know so little about how it’s grown and who grows it. So in this week’s Environment Matters podcast we hear from coffee producer Ian Abigaba of Gorilla Summit Coffee in Uganda, to find out what’s happening at the other end of the journey of the coffee that ... Read more
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Jul 14, 2023
St Albans Draft Local Plan – Time to Have Your Say
Last Wednesday, the consultation opened on the latest Draft St Albans District Local Plan. It’s a blueprint for the District’s built environment that includes land for future business, infrastructure and housing developments, for the years up to 2041. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Leader of St Albans District Council Cllr Chris White answers your ... Read more
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Jul 10, 2023
Butterflies Need You!
Sadly, butterfly numbers have declined significantly since the 1970s but happily, there are easy ways that we can all help them. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Nadia Bishara of the Wilderhood Watch and Malcolm Hull of Herts and Middlesex Butterfly Conservation explain how. And as promised here’s a link to the Big Butterfly Count ... Read more
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Jul 3, 2023
Why you’ll want to close your road for Car Free Day
In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Sustainable St Albans’ Playing Out Coordinator and local Our Street Party Representative, Nicola Wyeth, explains the many benefits of closing your road for World Car Free Day – some of which you might not expect. You can find the help that Nicola talks about here: https://sustainablestalbans.org/2023/06/22/celebrate-world-car-free-day/ http://ourstreetparty.org/stalbans/
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Jun 26, 2023
Bags for Baffa
Farhat Zia tells us about how we can help the efforts of her and her husband to reduce plastic pollution in their home town. Plus updates on free trees you can claim for this winter and the latest on the St Albans Local Plan. You can donate to the Bags for Baffa appeal here and ... Read more
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Jun 19, 2023
The most sustainable house in Hertfordshire?
James Fisher, who works at BRE, has taken on the challenge of building his own eco house, which he reckons might be the most sustainable in Hertfordshire. Will it be, and what makes it so sustainable? Find out when Amanda Yorwerth talks to James in this week’s Environment Matters podcast.
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Jun 12, 2023
Activism
Activism needn’t be about gluing yourself to the road or waving a banner – there are numerous forms of activism. Tricia Gibbons, Lee Woods, Richard Lafford, Katie Carr and Anthony Helm are all local environmental activists and in this week’s Environment Matters podcast they share what they do and why. The following local organisations are ... Read more
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Jun 5, 2023
Event to give advice on warm homes for all
As part of their United for Warm Homes campaign, St Albans and District Friends of the Earth are holding an event for this year’s SustFest with advice for everyone on how to have a warm, energy efficient home this winter. In this week’s Environment Matters, Judith Leary Joyce explains about the event and the United ... Read more
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May 29, 2023
Becoming a Countryside Ranger
In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, hear the heart warming story of Peter, the Countryside Range. Countryside Ranger isn’t a job many careers advisers suggest, but for Peter Northcott it’s turned out to be a great option. Hear about how Peter took himself from a dark place to caring for our local Commons.
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May 22, 2023
What’s so good about the new recycling site?
Cllr Eric Buckmaster explains what’s so good about the new recycling centre in Welwyn Garden City. Plus an update from the St Albans peregrines, how to nominate for the Ember Eco Awards and how a robot is helping make Watford homes warmer.
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May 15, 2023
No Longer Needed – say Freight Interchange Campaign Group
In this podcast, Cllr Nuala Webb of campaign group Save St Albans Fight the Freight updates us on their campaign and explains how she thinks Herts County Council should stop the sale of land that will enable the Park Street Rail Freight Interchange to go ahead. To see the advice that Herts County Council has ... Read more
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May 7, 2023
Bioabundance
Gabriel Roberts explains why he thinks we should be more aware of the declining abundance of nature. He tells us about evidence he has of historical abundance nationally and surprising local examples and how that abundance can, in the right circumstances, return.
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May 2, 2023
Heads Up for SustFest 23
It’s happening again – the St Albans Sustainability Festival! In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, SustFest Working Group chair, Jill Watson tells us what’s planned and what you need to be doing now. And you’ll find more about the Sopwell Eco Stars Pre Loved Sale on their website.
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Apr 24, 2023
Duke of Edinburgh volunteers give boost at Batchwood
In a new partnership benefiting local young people and helping keep ancient woodland beautiful, Duke of Edinburgh volunteers from local schools have been helping out the Friends of Batchwood. We hear from students Freddie and Archie, the Friends of Batchwood, and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust who all helped this great scheme happen. Go ... Read more
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Apr 17, 2023
Ember Eco Awards & XR’s The Big One
Extinction Rebellion are organising a huge 4 day protest in London that they’re calling The Big One. In this Environment Matters podcast we hear from local campaigner, Stephen Marcus, who tells us what it’s about, how it’s different and why you might want to be involved. Plus, nominations for the coveted Ember Eco Awards will ... Read more
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Apr 9, 2023
Can we really bring back nature?
Sir David Attenborough wants us all to help Save Our Wild Isles – but can we really do this? In this podcast, Wilderhood Watch coordinator, Nadia Bishara, talks about why she’s hopeful and gives us tips to get started as well as why getting our neighbours involved is so important. Find out more about the ... Read more
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Apr 3, 2023
Enjoying the wildness on our doorstep
In this week’s Environment Matters, local cyclist Mike Hartley explains how he found wildness and adventure right from his doorstep with his first micro adventure, and Stephen Werrell of the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust gives us guidance on walks with dogs that don’t affect local wildlife.
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Mar 30, 2023
Greenwood Park Community Garden Plans
In this podcast, Christy Mitchell of Grow Chiswell Green talks about exciting plans for a new community garden in Greenwood Park Photo credit – David Clode, Unsplash
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Mar 20, 2023
Power to the People
We hear a heart warming tale as Welwyn and Hatfield allotment holders pull together in the face of adversity, and pupils at Cunningham Hill Infants and Juniors tell us what they’ve been doing to help the planet.
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Mar 12, 2023
Phil Fletcher remembered
Following the sudden death of local environmental campaigner Phil Fletcher, Nigel Harvey, Jo Pritchard and Matt Fisher pay tribute. Plus we hear an archive recording of Phil talking about a campaign that was special to him. The petition mentioned in the podcast can be found here
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Mar 6, 2023
Trees, trees, trees
It’s great news that over the past few months lots of trees have been planted locally by councils, schools, community groups and individuals. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast Nick Sherriff, Parks Manager at SADC will tell us what they’ve been up to and Anthony Helm talks about St Albans’ latest addition to the Queen’s ... Read more
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Feb 27, 2023
Plans for Cyling and Walking – What do you think?
The St Albans and District Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan is ready for your comments. But what is it? Will it make any difference? And how best to have your say? In this week’s Environment Matters podcast, Cllr Phil Bibby Executive Member for Highways & Transport at Herfordshire County Council and Nick Clarke of ... Read more
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Feb 21, 2023
Pollinator Paradise
It will be a pollinator paradise when the wildflowers planted by St Albans District Council and Sandridge Parish Council come in to bloom. In this week’s Environment Matters, find out what they’re doing and what you can do to join in.
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Feb 13, 2023
Garden pesticides linked with bird decline
Recent research shows that using garden pesticides has a big effect on bird numbers. Professor David Goulson of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex joins Amanda to explain the findings plus the other things we can do to make our gardens a home for wildlife. If you’d like to find out more ... Read more
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Feb 5, 2023
Last ditch attempt to stop the Park Street rail freight interchange
The issue has been rumbling on for so long, that residents had been lulled into thinking that the planned Park Street Rail Freight Interchange would never happen. But things are happening fast now, with land development company, SEGRO, looking to start work on the planned rail freight interchange in just a few months. Cllr Nuala ... Read more
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Jan 31, 2023
The local strategy for electric vehicle charging?
Lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is stopping people from choosing to drive electric and making life hard for them if they do. So are local councils doing what’s necessary to ensure we get the charging infrastructure we need ready for the future? In this podcast, Amanda talks to Cllr Phil Bibby, Executive Member for ... Read more
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Jan 23, 2023
Electric vehicle charging – the local picture
Electric vehicles have many environmental advantages and sales of EVs were 40% up last year. However, all this progress could be lost if EV drivers are left stranded because of inadequate charging facilities. Nationally, we heard stories of queues of electric cars at charging points over Christmas and some people saying that they’re going back ... Read more
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Jan 16, 2023
Next Door Nature
Wouldn’t it be great if there was some affordable way of getting people together to combat isolation, doing something to make us all a bit more positive about the world, and helping nature at the same time? Well, there is. The Herts and Middx Wildlife Trusts invite everyone to get involved in their Next Door ... Read more
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Jan 9, 2023
Veg Boxes – the local offering
Last week we heard about a couple of national veg box schemes. This week we go local. Juliet Foxwell tells us about her own business Box Local and there’s also info about other local schemes and places to buy produce near to you.
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Jan 3, 2023
Vegging Out in 2023
If your new year resolutions include things like eating more healthily, being more organised, reducing your environmental impact or even being more adventurous – then subscribing to a veg box could be what you’re looking for. But which to choose? In the first of 2 programmes where we hear about listeners’ veg box experiences, in ... Read more
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Dec 30, 2022
Wanted – Your Help
Peter Block appeals for your help at this year’s Repair Fairs, Cllr Helen Campbell asks for your help with memorial benches and the students of Marlborough School tell us what they’d like us to do as a gift to the world this Christmas For more about St Albans District Fixers https://sustainablestalbans.org/repair-and-reuse/st-albans-district-fixers/ To provide information on ... Read more
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Dec 19, 2022
Home Energy Stores
Home energy stores, or home batteries, are becoming more popular, and many people who have opted into the Hertfordshire Solar Together scheme are considering whether they’re worth buying. In this week’s Environment Matters podcast we hear what 2 local people think of their home batteries.
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Dec 12, 2022
Wheely inspirational!
Kate Jenkins would never have thought that difficulties at school and redundancy would lead eventually to a prestigious place as one of Cycling UK’s Top 100 Women Cyclists. Hear how she’s brought the many benefits of cycling to so many through the Watford Cycle Hub, why she thinks that getting women on 2 wheels is ... Read more
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Dec 5, 2022
Where will your tap water be from in 2075?
Doug Hunt, Affinity Water’s water resource programme director, is the man tasked with ensuring that we have the water we need, and our rivers need, for the next 50 years. In this week’s Environment Matters he explains how canals, construction of new infrastructure and consumers are key to the new Draft Water Resources Plan, and ... Read more
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Nov 28, 2022
Never mind the rain – we’re talking water
In spite of recent rain, water is still a big issue around Hertfordshire, so will be the focus for the next couple of shows. In this week’s podcast Cllr Simon Grover explains why St Albans Green Party are petitioning Affinity Water to do more about leaks, and Chair of the Ver Valley Society, John Pritchard ... Read more
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Nov 21, 2022
8 billion
Last week, on 15th November 2022, was the day that the UN nominated as the date that the world became home to 8 billion people. Vanessa Gibson of St Albans Population Matters explains why she thinks this is an environmental issue and makes suggestions for what we should do about this.
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Nov 14, 2022
How a camera can save you £££s
Lesley Flowers from Sustainable St Albans runs through some of the ways a thermal imaging camera can help you improve the efficiency of your home, and how you can borrow such a camera from Sustainable St Albans for free.
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Nov 7, 2022
Home Energy Helpline, and Ringing for the Climate
Matt Neal from NEF talks about what’s on offer from the St Albans Home Energy Support Service and Alison Macfarlane explains why bell ringers were ringing for the climate.
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Oct 30, 2022
The Sopwell Eco Stars
Eco Star Kate Swindells joins Amanda Yorwerth to explain who the Sopwell Eco Stars are, what they’re doing and why they think that tackling big issues like the climate on a community level can have benefits for people and planet.
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Oct 25, 2022
Just Stop Oil
During their month of protests, local Just Stop Oil activist, Craig Scudder, explains what their campaign is about, why he’s still joining other protestors blocking roads, and how he feels about being so disruptive at such a difficult time.
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Oct 17, 2022
The Attack on Nature?
Environmental groups like the Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust and ESPB are angry about the UK Government’s ‘Attack on Nature’. But what is it? And what might be the implications in Hertfordshire. Chloe Edwards of the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust explains. And if, as Chloe suggests, you’d like to take action on this, check out ... Read more
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Oct 10, 2022
Listen to this before lighting the fire
Local log merchants are seeing unprecedented demand as people opt to burn wood as the cost of gas and electricity soars. And what could be more lovely than a roaring log fire? In this week’s show, Dr Brian Moench explains burning wood is bad news for personal health, public health and the environment.
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Oct 4, 2022
A Beginners Guide to Eco Renovation
Local author Judith Leary Joyce has written the book she wished she had when she set out to make her home more energy efficient and cheaper to run. She explains what’s in it and why you’ll be wanting a copy.
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Sep 26, 2022
Taking climate action with your finances
What’s more powerful for the climate than going vegan, giving up your car or stopping flying? Moving your money affairs to a more sustainable organisation. If you’re wondering what that involves or how you might get started then listen to this week’s podcast to hear about some new women only workshops designed to help. For ... Read more
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Sep 22, 2022
Meet the Boris Bikes’ little sister
Meet the Boris Bikes’ little sister – Watford’s Beryl Bikes. In this podcast we hear from elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor and Phil Elis, CEO and co founder of Beryl Bikes about how the first hire bike scheme outside a major city is going and how it could, perhaps, benefit other local towns and ... Read more
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Sep 12, 2022
Time for solar?
With the deepening climate crisis plus a new scheme available to Hertfordshire residents to purchase solar panels more cheaply, and, even with the new government scheme, electricity prices remaining eye wateringly high, it’s no surprise that interest in solar panels is rocketing. In this week’s show we hear from SADC’s Sustainability Officer about the Solar ... Read more
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Sep 5, 2022
Students – save pounds and the planet
Students will soon be heading off for the new term, with the pound in their pocket more stretched than ever before. In this week’s show we’ll have one student’s tips for saving pounds and the planet at the same time.
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Aug 30, 2022
Get Cycling at the Cottonmill Hub
Mat Daniels talks about the fantastic Cottonmill Cycle Hub that has brand new facilities to help you get on 2 wheels and to have lots of fun when you do so.
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Aug 22, 2022
Chalk streams under pressure
Don’t be fooled by a few showers – we’re in the midst of a drought. John Pritchard of the Ver Valley Society explains the pressure local rivers are under, what he’d like Affinity Water to do, and what you can do to help.
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Aug 15, 2022
New tool for understanding the environmental effects of new developments
Dr Silvio Carta of the University of Hertfordshire and Marc McGurk of Project (EU) explain how they’re getting together with St Albans District Council to create a tool to help us all understand the environmental impact of new developments
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Aug 9, 2022
Talking rubbish
Councillor Dr Allison Wren, Lead Councillor for Waste and Recycling at St Albans District Council, joins Amanda to talk about a trial of electric waste vehicles, green waste and Tetrapak recycling.
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Jul 24, 2022
Swift Action
They fly faster than any bird in the world, but that’s not enough to keep swifts off the endangered animals red list. The good news is that the Wilderhood Watch are taking Swift Action to help. Nadia Bishara explains what they’re doing and how you can help.
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Jul 18, 2022
New Eco Awards for St Albans
Ember Designs owner, Lee Wood has launched St Alban’s first Eco Awards. Lee talks about why he initiated them, how they work and how we can help for future years.
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Jul 10, 2022
Simple swaps for Plastic Free July
Dani Jefferson of Jefferson Crafts joins Amanda to discuss the problems caused by single use plastic items and some easy solutions you can take in Plastic Free July. Plus a run down on some other local businesses working hard to help us go plastic free.
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Jul 5, 2022
Pond Plans for Highfield Park
Tim Abbott of the Highfield Park trust explains ambitious plans to renovate Cell Barnes Pond so it’s great for wildlife and people.
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Jun 27, 2022
Cutting pesticide use one street at a time
Nadia Bishara, of the community group Wilderhood Watch, talks about the new Glyphosate Free Streets pilot scheme.
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Jun 21, 2022
Get wild and crafty!
This summer the Herts and Middx Wildlife Trust is venturing into a whole new area. A series of creative events they are calling Herts Wild Art. So what’s inspired them to get out the paint brushes? And how’s this going to help wildlife? In this podcast we’ll find out this and much more from Emma ... Read more
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Jun 13, 2022
Your help needed to spot invaders on the Ver
John Pritchard, chair of the Ver Valley Society, wants your help spotting invasive plants along the River Ver. Plus he gives an exciting water vole update.
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Jun 6, 2022
Creating Community Resilience
The St Albans Sustainability Festival might be over, but there are still lots of great events to look forward to. In this week’s show we’ll look at some of them, and, in particular we’ll hear from Kim from HEART Community about their forthcoming event exploring Community Resilience.
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May 30, 2022
Wildlife welcome at the Cathedral
More and more wildlife is finding a home at St Albans Cathedral – from the peregrine falcons up on the tower to pollinators and other wildlife in the new Sumpter Yard Garden. In this week’s Environment Matters, the Cathedral’s Canon Chancellor, The Revd Canon Kevin Walton explains what’s being done, including some clever details that ... Read more
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May 23, 2022
It all started with an idea from her son….
We often ignore the ideas that kids come up with. But not Viviana Cruz-Morrison. She turned an idea her son came up with for a school project into a whole, new business that makes packaging free cleaning products easy for everyone.
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May 16, 2022
Reducing rubbish one street at a time
Salisbury Road residents Ann, Siobhan and Steve have created a community recycling scheme that they hope will catch on around the District. They tell us how it works, why it’s so good and how you can set up your own. To check out the Community Recycling event for the St Albans Sustainability Festival, and the ... Read more
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May 9, 2022
Making things healthier for all
Invisible air pollution affects all of us, and with Clean Air Day coming up we’re being asked to step up to deal with one source of polluted air. And we hear from the Rothamsted Research scientist using her loaf to make our bread healthier. You can find out about the air quality near you at ... Read more
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May 1, 2022
The Journey to a Fossil Fuel Free Home
Self styled ‘little old lady’, Ro Jackson, talks about how the St Albans Sustainability Festival gave her the inspiration and the information she needed to take some big steps to make her home fossil fuel free, and what she has learned on her journey. If you’re inspired to look into a step away from fossil ... Read more
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Apr 25, 2022
SustFest Starting Soon!
It’s not long now to the start of the St Albans Sustainability Festival – one of the biggest and most successful festivals of its kind and happening in and around St Albans. With the Festival online programme now released, SustFest Working Group Chair Jill Watson explains her hopes for this year’s festival, how you can ... Read more
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Apr 17, 2022
Sopwell Grows!
Gail Jackson of Sopwell Grow Community explains how this project, which started from tiny seeds in lockdown, has flourished into a productive community. To book your place on their Gardeners Question Time event go to https://springfoodgarden.eventbrite.co.uk And for the St Albans District Election Environment Hustings (a hustings is like an election question time) go to ... Read more
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Apr 11, 2022
Heronwatch is back
Dan Fletcher of St Albans RSPB talks about the wildlife dramas that are taking place in Verulamium Park and how Heronwatch will help us see and appreciate them. If you can spare an hour to help man the Heronwatch telescope you can volunteer by contacting Dan via https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/stalbans/contact/
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Apr 4, 2022
Wildlife Gardening Champions Are Go!
Hear from Heidi Carruthers of the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust about the latest Wilder goings on in St Albans including the launch of the Wildlife Gardening Champions. To book a visit from a Wildlife Gardening Champion head to the Gardening Champions page of the Wilderhood Watch website Check out Easter Holiday events with the ... Read more
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Mar 28, 2022
The finger on the pulse of local butterflies
With 3,477 people contributing data to it, the Hertfordshire & Middlesex Butterfly Conservation Butterfly Report is an awesome bit of citizen science. The man behind the data, Andrew Wood of Hertfordshire and Middlesex Butterfly Conservation, explains the importance of the report, what the latest report shows us, and how easy it is for you to ... Read more
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Mar 21, 2022
Plans to replace allotment with car park
42 allotment holders at Greenwood Park in Chiswell Green have been told by St Stephen’s Parish council that their 40 year old allotments are to be moved to make way for a new car park. We hear from one of them. If you’d like to sign the petition opposing this, you’ll find it at https://www.change.org/p/david-parry-parish-councillor-do-you-want-to-save-the-greenwood-park-allotments
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Mar 14, 2022
Earth Hour, plus further threat to St Albans Green Belt
Earth Hour is back for another year, and Jo Pritchard explains why she loves this mass participation event so much and how you can join in, and Rev Dr Kevin Walton tells us what the cathedral will be doing and why. Plus we hear about the latest campaign to protect a greenbelt area, this time ... Read more
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Mar 7, 2022
Hire rather than buy an EV
Hear about the many benefits of hiring rather than buying an electric car and 2 contrasting hiring options that might work for you.
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Feb 28, 2022
Plan for expansion at Luton Airport
CEO of Luton Rising, Graham Olver, answers questions about the sustainability measures within the plans for expansion of Luton Airport and John Hale, chair of St Albans Quieter Skies explains his concerns. Plus details on where to find out more and how to have your say. Links mentioned in the podcast: You’ll find lots more ... Read more
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Feb 22, 2022
Toad Roads
Spring is in the air, and Nadia Bishara of St Albans Wilderhood Watch explains how you can help amphibious creatures in your garden. Plus there’s advice on using storm damage as an opportunity to make your garden more wildlife friendly and plenty to be getting on with outside to help wildlife right now.
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Feb 13, 2022
Campaign group taking Council to Court
Gee Smedley of campaign group CLASH explains why they’ve started legal proceedings against St Albans District Council.
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Feb 8, 2022
It’s all change at Eat Wholefoods
Manish Panchal, new proprietor at Eat Wholefoods explains what is changing, and what definitely isn’t changing, at this longstanding Fleetville business, and how he’s working to make the business even more sustainable
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Jan 30, 2022
Let’s get fixing!
Danielle Durant and Philip de Riche talk about the pleasure of repairing things, the new Facebook group that’s proving very popular and the upcoming Repair Fair that they are organising. Book your place at the All Saints Repair Fair here For useful resources about fixing broken items try here.
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Jan 24, 2022
Saving the Planet One Lunch at a Time
Local foodie and author, Becky Alexander, talks about her new book The Green Lunch Box and explains why she thinks lunchtime is the time to help ourselves and the planet to a better 2022. Plus Cllr Eric Buckmaster wants your help with cutting the enormous amount of food we waste in Hertfordshire. Give your ideas ... Read more
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Jan 17, 2022
The Big Garden Birdwatch is Back!
Join 1 million others and take part in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Dan Fletcher of St.Albans RSPB explains how easy it is, has invaluable tips on ensuring you see as many birds as possible and helps with how to identify what you see. He also asks that you share what you see in ... Read more
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Jan 10, 2022
Have you got what it takes to be a Climate Champion?
Looking for a new challenge in 2022? How about becoming a Climate Champion? Sarah Kersey of Sustainable St.Albans explains what’s required, as well as updating us on this year’s St.Albans Sustainability Festival
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Jan 4, 2022
Nurturing a knowledge of nature
It’s much easier for us to love, appreciate and defend the natural world if we know more about it – and goodness knows, in 2022 especially, it needs all the advocates it can get. So we’re kicking off the New Year with a programme where we discuss the best ways to learn about the nature all around ... Read more
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