As recent research shows the nation re-connecting with nature, a new podcast series has been launched by, Berkeley Eastern Counties, featuring a variety of experts to help unlock the wonders of the natural world on the doorstep.
With a slower pace of life this spring and summer, and a marked shift in work life balance for many moving forward, the nation has been turning to more homegrown pastimes - from baking to birdwatching. Just last week, the RSPB reported a 69% increase in website users during lockdown (March - May) compared to the same period the previous year, and traffic to their online wildlife tools and activity guides is up as much as eight-fold.
The new podcast series, Bringing Nature Home, is designed to encourage individuals and families to explore the wonderful natural world on their doorstep in Kent, the Garden of England, renowned for its picturesque open countryside and vast areas of outstanding natural beauty, with fun activities for the whole family. Created with a range of experts, it offers a host of ideas, tips and handy guides on how to make the most of Kent's ecology through guided walks, food, arts, and crafts, as well as advice on how people can do their bit to help the local wildlife flourish.
The first episode, now live, explores the county's natural habitats with the Kent Wildlife Trust. Ecologist Marie Dipple takes listeners on an audio tour of the woodlands of the High Weald Walk - a popular pursuit for residents at Berkeley's nearby Hollyfields neighbourhood, in Royal Tunbridge Wells, which inspired the episode.
The first Bringing Nature Home podcast is now live and free to download. Find out more and listen by visiting www.berkeleygroup.co.uk.