Groups make a difference
I'm a firm believer that small groups can make a difference, and there's nothing like joining a group of people who want to change things and make an impact.
There are some wonderful examples of people doing just that around the world, and at a time when there's so much bad news around, I wanted to raise awareness of what some groups are and have been doing.
Joining a group is a great way to get out there and do stuff, and to be a part of something bigger. And it's a great opportunity to take note of the world around you and connect with others who care about the world and wildlife, as opposed to - perhaps - being with people who don't.
So here are some good news stories! I hope you enjoy them and find them interesting :-)
In the UK...
Well done to students at St Christopher's Secondary School in Lincoln! They applied to the Woodland Trust for their free tree pack - and you can find out about their experience here. And Ysgol Plas Coch in Wrexham planted trees, too - well done to them! The Trust says that hundreds of schools in the UK have planted free trees. The free tree packs can go to educational establishments, local authorities, non-for-profit community groups, and others. Find out about the free tree packs here.
Also, well done to the Salisbury Scouts for joining in the New Forest conservation effort! The Salisbury Journal has a report here.
Volunteers plant trees on tree planting days to give koalas the habitats they need, and these volunteers for give care to wild koalas in the Wild Koala Breeding Programme for Koala Conservation Australia. From cleaning enclosures to making sure the koalas have water and feed, the volunteers play an essential role in ensuring the wild koalas are well and can thrive. Find out more here.
According to Plantlife, there are 23 million gardens in the UK. Can you imagine the impact it would have on wildlife if every single garden let some of their lawn grow and they stopped mowing it? There would be lots of food for our vital pollinators! And you could always grow a wildlife meadow in a pot, if you don't have a lawn. Give wildlife a chance! Find out more here.
From August to mid-November, in the beautiful east coast of Canada in Newfoundland & Labrador, volunteers head off on puffin and petrol patrol. Since the Puffin and Petrol Patrol was founded back in 2004, thousands of Atlantic puffins and Leach's Storm-Petrel chicks have been rescued and released back into the wild. Visit the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society here to find out more about the work they do.
Saving whale sharks in Kerala, India
Down to Earth reported in February 2026 that Kerala fishermen were learning how to rescue and save whale sharks. They have been working with the Wildlife Trust of India to save the whalesharks, and so far the fishermen have saved over 50 of them. It takes courage! The whale sharks are HUGE. As Down to Earth report, it's wonderful to see the community coming together to help these animals. Read the article here.
The Freshwater Habitats Trust report that developers are going to fund a pioneering conservation programme to help Great Crested Newts and other threatened species in England.
Hop off to find out all about it from the Freshwater Habitats Trust.
The image right at the top of this blog is from Francesco Gallarotti, thank you Francesco!
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