Notes on Nature

Welcome to Culture Forager, a place for you to root around and rummage in what’s been piquing our interest each month. From books to podcasts, poems to recipes (and pretty much anything else we think you should know about) we’ll take you through our top five foraged findings.

Wild swimming – our favourite way to cool off, connect with nature and soak up the sights of the great British countryside all at once. In the UK we’re lucky that some of the most incredible dipping spots are right on our doorstep. Endorphin seekers – these are some of the best rivers, lakes and lagoons to tick off your swim list this summer (and all year round!). 

We’re living in the ‘anthropocene’ — the epoch in which human activities have come to dominate the planet. And years from now our descendants will know precisely when it started by looking at the layers of plastic in the fossil record. It’s not a legacy any of us want to leave. It’s not something we’re personally comfortable with and we know you’re not either. But what can we do about it? 

Our oceans cover 70% of the Earth, contain 94% of the world's wildlife and yet we've still only mapped 5% of them. So what exactly is in them? 

When it comes to holding down a hair care routine, no one solution suits all. Dry? Oily? Curly? Sensitive scalp? Sometimes our hair needs a helping hand. Using our naturally-derived, vegan shampoos, conditioners, these are some simple ways to get more out of your mane – happy hair days, here we come. 

From the tops of the trees to the soil underneath, our gardens are home to all kinds of critters – but we could welcome even more. As summer settles in and plans turn to pruning, weeding and trimming, we’re rooting for a wilder approach. This Garden Wildlife Week, find out how to transform your grassy patch to a wildlife wonderland and watch nature thrive before your eyes. 

As a business, we like to create as little waste as possible, so we put a lot of brain power into plastic-saving, waste-reducing alternatives – like refill bottles and zero-waste bars. Since you’re reading this, we’re going to assume you’re already on the same sustainable page as us. But what if we told you there’s more to be done? From reusing old egg cartons to repurposing used coffee grounds, here are some clever ways to rethink waste.

To celebrate Faith In Nature’s exclusive partnership with Canine Groom School, we caught up with owners Poppy and Steve to find out how they got from dream to reality, and how their lovely Lancashire business continues to grow.

With spring in the air and summer around the corner, our fluffy friends are busy shedding their winter layers for the warmer months ahead. Us humans should help them out. Since the new season comes with new challenges when it comes to grooming, here are some simple tips to give your dogs the TLC they need. 

How much do you know about antioxidants? We’re guessing you’ve heard they’re good for you - and you’d be right about that - but do you know how or why? 

Welcome back to our Indie Spotlight series, where we get to celebrate the independent stores that make our world go round. This month we had the chance to catch up with our wonderful Oxfordshire stockists, The Village Refill.

Going strong since the 70s, Earth Day is dedicated to looking after the place we call home, and, for 52 years, has inspired action on a local, national and global level. In fact, today, it’s difficult to think back to a time when environmental issues were only recognised by a knowing few. So how exactly did Earth Day come about, and how did it become the global movement it is today?