Notes on Nature

We love birds. And looking after these crucial members of our ecosystem is rewarding not just for them but for yourself.  Whether you’ve got a sprawling garden or live in a flat with no outdoor space, you can feed the birds. Here’s how.

Welcome to Culture Forager, where we forage for Nature-y cultural happenings and other good things, so you don’t have to. In this edition, there’s a big bird-watch, a brilliant free course and some lovely stuff to listen to, amongst others…

Hear the phrase ‘National Parks’ and you’d be right to think of rural places like The Lake District, Exmoor and Eryri (Snowdonia). But a pioneering programme is making urban areas greener, healthier and wilder – by awarding them National Park Cities status. It’s a global initiative, but the very first National Park City is London. We spoke to London National Park City’s Executive Director Mark Cridge to find out more.

Hooray for shea! This natural nut butter comes from the kernel of the shea tree (A.K.A. the mysterious-sounding Vitellaria paradoxa). It’s native to the savannah belt of West Africa, but makes its way into haircare products the world over. Why? Because it’s mega-moisturising and packed with benefits for hair. Here’s the lowdown on one of Nature’s greatest hair heroes.

Hip hip for rosehips! These tiny fruits of the spiky wild rose shrub give us rosehip oil. Not to be confused with rose oil, rosehip oil is known for being a nutrient-rich tonic for skin and hair, straight from Nature. But what exactly does this beloved plant ingredient do for skin, scalp and strands?

Is it February yet? Because January is reeeally dragging. A combination of cold weather and a lack of daylight can make everybody feel down at this time of year. But putting aside time for yourself, even just a few minutes every day, can make all the difference to your mood. Behold our winter self-care tips, designed to make the wait for spring a little more bearable…

Being outside in Nature is good for your wellbeing, and so is mindfulness. By starting a Nature journalling habit, you can combine the two. You don’t need to be a writer, a naturalist or an artist – and you could make a difference not just to your own mood, but to Nature itself.

In January, the temptation to stay cossetted indoors is often difficult to resist – but it’s no secret that time spent in Nature can give our wellbeing a much-need boost. So, fill a flask with your favourite hot drink, wrap up warm and escape your home this month – and relish the benefits that being in Nature can bring.

Sleep is essential, but sometimes it can be elusive – and few things are more frustrating than a restless night. But what if your bedtime became a pampering treat, an opportunity for your very own moments of nightly self-care? Establishing a bedtime routine is thought to be one of the most effective ways of ensuring deep sleep. Try these nightly rituals to help ease into slumber.

Frustrating frizz, hat hair and lacklustre locks: welcome to winter for hair! Chilly temperatures, central heating and woolly hats can all cause chaos for your hair in the colder months, making it more prone to breakage and dryness. Follow these tips to keep your tresses looking their best, whatever the winter throws their way.

The winter solstice, A.K.A the hibernal solstice, is the exact moment when the North Pole is as far from the sun as it will get all year. It occurs on the longest night, but marks the start of days getting longer again, which is cause for celebration! Here are some of the myriad ways the event is celebrated across the hemisphere.

It’s been an excellent year for Nature's rights. In case you didn’t know, the Rights of Nature movement recognises that our ecosystems (including things like natural bodies of water, animals and trees) are entitled to legal rights, just like people. It recognises that we’re part of Nature, rather than separate or better than it. Here are some Nature rights highlights from the past 12 months.