Holly Gray
@hollygray.bsky.social
Planning and Policy Officer at BBOWT🌿Organising team Volunteer at UK Youth for Nature 🐝RHUL Biology Graduate 🐛 Views are my own 🌻 🌈
Reposted by Holly Gray
Last week I joined fellow MPs in calling on the Government to strengthen planning reforms to better protect England’s precious chalk streams.
These fragile waterways are under real pressure from overdevelopment and pollution.
These fragile waterways are under real pressure from overdevelopment and pollution.
June 9, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Last week I joined fellow MPs in calling on the Government to strengthen planning reforms to better protect England’s precious chalk streams.
These fragile waterways are under real pressure from overdevelopment and pollution.
These fragile waterways are under real pressure from overdevelopment and pollution.
Reposted by Holly Gray
📣 Oxford Friends of the Earth's public meeting is taking place TOMORROW at Wesley Memorial Hall in Oxford on Nature and Climate: What is the Government doing?
Book your place below 👇
buff.ly/NK0CG4y
Book your place below 👇
buff.ly/NK0CG4y
June 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
📣 Oxford Friends of the Earth's public meeting is taking place TOMORROW at Wesley Memorial Hall in Oxford on Nature and Climate: What is the Government doing?
Book your place below 👇
buff.ly/NK0CG4y
Book your place below 👇
buff.ly/NK0CG4y
Reposted by Holly Gray
❌ Promise made. Promise broken?
Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, vowed to end bottom trawling. A year on, we're STILL waiting.
🛑 20,000+ HRS of suspected bottom trawling happened in “protected” areas last year⁉️😡
📩 Hold govt to account. DEMAND A BAN: act.for-the-ocean.org/act/protect-...
Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, vowed to end bottom trawling. A year on, we're STILL waiting.
🛑 20,000+ HRS of suspected bottom trawling happened in “protected” areas last year⁉️😡
📩 Hold govt to account. DEMAND A BAN: act.for-the-ocean.org/act/protect-...
May 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
❌ Promise made. Promise broken?
Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, vowed to end bottom trawling. A year on, we're STILL waiting.
🛑 20,000+ HRS of suspected bottom trawling happened in “protected” areas last year⁉️😡
📩 Hold govt to account. DEMAND A BAN: act.for-the-ocean.org/act/protect-...
Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, vowed to end bottom trawling. A year on, we're STILL waiting.
🛑 20,000+ HRS of suspected bottom trawling happened in “protected” areas last year⁉️😡
📩 Hold govt to account. DEMAND A BAN: act.for-the-ocean.org/act/protect-...
Reposted by Holly Gray
"Even areas without high levels of air pollution, but which were built primarily from concrete and asphalt and lacked green spaces, increased asthma risk by as much as 36 per cent."
Access to green space is not a fluffy extra - it's integral to health.
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/h...
Access to green space is not a fluffy extra - it's integral to health.
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/h...
Live in an area built mainly from concrete? You might develop this condition
Asthma is more prevalent in urban settings. Zhebin Yu asnd Erik Melen report
www.independent.co.uk
May 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
"Even areas without high levels of air pollution, but which were built primarily from concrete and asphalt and lacked green spaces, increased asthma risk by as much as 36 per cent."
Access to green space is not a fluffy extra - it's integral to health.
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/h...
Access to green space is not a fluffy extra - it's integral to health.
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/h...
The consensus of the committee was clear - chalk streams are unique, important and we need to do more to protect them. Yet chalk streams have been let down once again.
Thank you to @ollyglover.bsky.social, @elliechowns.bsky.social and all the MPs who passionately spoke and voted in support.
Thank you to @ollyglover.bsky.social, @elliechowns.bsky.social and all the MPs who passionately spoke and voted in support.
❌ Despite strong cross-party support and passionate speeches from MPs, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill committee voted against the Chalk Stream Protection amendment.
Chalk streams are one of our most special habitats and yet we are failing them.
Chalk streams are one of our most special habitats and yet we are failing them.
May 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The consensus of the committee was clear - chalk streams are unique, important and we need to do more to protect them. Yet chalk streams have been let down once again.
Thank you to @ollyglover.bsky.social, @elliechowns.bsky.social and all the MPs who passionately spoke and voted in support.
Thank you to @ollyglover.bsky.social, @elliechowns.bsky.social and all the MPs who passionately spoke and voted in support.
Reposted by Holly Gray
❌ Despite strong cross-party support and passionate speeches from MPs, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill committee voted against the Chalk Stream Protection amendment.
Chalk streams are one of our most special habitats and yet we are failing them.
Chalk streams are one of our most special habitats and yet we are failing them.
May 14, 2025 at 2:38 PM
❌ Despite strong cross-party support and passionate speeches from MPs, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill committee voted against the Chalk Stream Protection amendment.
Chalk streams are one of our most special habitats and yet we are failing them.
Chalk streams are one of our most special habitats and yet we are failing them.
Reposted by Holly Gray
How can we create swift friendly cities and communities?
Follow the link to find out how to build your own swift box and help put a stop to the decline of these incredible birds: buff.ly/PN1ZKVU
📷 Nick Upton
📷 Vaughn Matthews
Follow the link to find out how to build your own swift box and help put a stop to the decline of these incredible birds: buff.ly/PN1ZKVU
📷 Nick Upton
📷 Vaughn Matthews
May 14, 2025 at 9:05 AM
How can we create swift friendly cities and communities?
Follow the link to find out how to build your own swift box and help put a stop to the decline of these incredible birds: buff.ly/PN1ZKVU
📷 Nick Upton
📷 Vaughn Matthews
Follow the link to find out how to build your own swift box and help put a stop to the decline of these incredible birds: buff.ly/PN1ZKVU
📷 Nick Upton
📷 Vaughn Matthews
Reposted by Holly Gray
The Office for Environmental Protection has advised the government that, without changes, the #PlanningAndInfrastructureBill will lead to “regression” in environmental protections in England.
Response from @ruthchambers.bsky.social, senior fellow 👇
Response from @ruthchambers.bsky.social, senior fellow 👇
May 2, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The Office for Environmental Protection has advised the government that, without changes, the #PlanningAndInfrastructureBill will lead to “regression” in environmental protections in England.
Response from @ruthchambers.bsky.social, senior fellow 👇
Response from @ruthchambers.bsky.social, senior fellow 👇
Reposted by Holly Gray
✂️ Cuts to the farming budget = Bad news for farmers and bad news for nature.
Working with farmers is the best chance we have of seeing our wildlife recover and thrive. 🌱
👉 Sign the RSPB’s petition to tell the UK Government that nature can’t afford a pay cut: action.rspb.org.uk/page/156168/...
Working with farmers is the best chance we have of seeing our wildlife recover and thrive. 🌱
👉 Sign the RSPB’s petition to tell the UK Government that nature can’t afford a pay cut: action.rspb.org.uk/page/156168/...
May 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
✂️ Cuts to the farming budget = Bad news for farmers and bad news for nature.
Working with farmers is the best chance we have of seeing our wildlife recover and thrive. 🌱
👉 Sign the RSPB’s petition to tell the UK Government that nature can’t afford a pay cut: action.rspb.org.uk/page/156168/...
Working with farmers is the best chance we have of seeing our wildlife recover and thrive. 🌱
👉 Sign the RSPB’s petition to tell the UK Government that nature can’t afford a pay cut: action.rspb.org.uk/page/156168/...
Reposted by Holly Gray
The shocking, violent reality of what bottom trawling does to the seabed and its creatures is filmed and shown for the first time in Ocean with David Attenborough. And then, after all that, three quarters of the catch is thrown away.
This is must-watch footage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
This is must-watch footage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH | BOTTOM TRAWLING OFFICIAL CLIP | IN CINEMAS NOW | Altitude Films
YouTube video by Altitude Films
www.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 10:34 AM
The shocking, violent reality of what bottom trawling does to the seabed and its creatures is filmed and shown for the first time in Ocean with David Attenborough. And then, after all that, three quarters of the catch is thrown away.
This is must-watch footage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
This is must-watch footage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzG9...
Reposted by Holly Gray
The Planning Bill could lead to the loss of irreplaceable habitats like Hampshire's chalk streams🚨
We're calling for MPs to amend the Bill to make it #WilderByDesign, with strong protections for nature to boost wildlife & public health💚
Full story👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We're calling for MPs to amend the Bill to make it #WilderByDesign, with strong protections for nature to boost wildlife & public health💚
Full story👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Irreplaceable habitat’: planning bill raises fears for England’s chalk streams
Environmentalists worry that the post-Brexit legislation will allow the destruction of rare and fragile ecosystems
www.theguardian.com
May 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The Planning Bill could lead to the loss of irreplaceable habitats like Hampshire's chalk streams🚨
We're calling for MPs to amend the Bill to make it #WilderByDesign, with strong protections for nature to boost wildlife & public health💚
Full story👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We're calling for MPs to amend the Bill to make it #WilderByDesign, with strong protections for nature to boost wildlife & public health💚
Full story👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Holly Gray
🐸 "These animals are alive thanks to the efforts put in by local volunteers through the dusk and through the dawn."
Phil Bruss, #MendTheGap Project Officer, describes how a crucial mindset shift allowed him to see the life-changing impact of his actions for nature 👇
Phil Bruss, #MendTheGap Project Officer, describes how a crucial mindset shift allowed him to see the life-changing impact of his actions for nature 👇
I am here. I’m going to help. | Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
Phil Bruss, Mend the Gap Project Officer, describes how an early-morning mindset shift allowed him to see the life-changing impact of his actions for nature.
buff.ly
May 6, 2025 at 9:05 AM
🐸 "These animals are alive thanks to the efforts put in by local volunteers through the dusk and through the dawn."
Phil Bruss, #MendTheGap Project Officer, describes how a crucial mindset shift allowed him to see the life-changing impact of his actions for nature 👇
Phil Bruss, #MendTheGap Project Officer, describes how a crucial mindset shift allowed him to see the life-changing impact of his actions for nature 👇
Reposted by Holly Gray
Chalk streams should be fully protected from all harms. They are irreplaceable. And yet most of them have no protection and all are threatened by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Thanks to @theguardian.com for covering this story.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Thanks to @theguardian.com for covering this story.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Irreplaceable habitat’: planning bill raises fears for England’s chalk streams
Environmentalists worry that the post-Brexit legislation will allow the destruction of rare and fragile ecosystems
www.theguardian.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Chalk streams should be fully protected from all harms. They are irreplaceable. And yet most of them have no protection and all are threatened by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Thanks to @theguardian.com for covering this story.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Thanks to @theguardian.com for covering this story.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Holly Gray
Want to learn more about our native bats? These fascinating creatures will take centre stage in our ‘Bats for Beginners Talk and Night Walk’ on Wednesday 14 May. Learn key facts about how to ID them, bat detectors and conservation.
To book: buff.ly/4A5O20Z
To book: buff.ly/4A5O20Z
April 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Want to learn more about our native bats? These fascinating creatures will take centre stage in our ‘Bats for Beginners Talk and Night Walk’ on Wednesday 14 May. Learn key facts about how to ID them, bat detectors and conservation.
To book: buff.ly/4A5O20Z
To book: buff.ly/4A5O20Z
Reposted by Holly Gray
⚡️ BREAKING ⚡️
Leading economists and ecologists say Part III of the Planning Bill must be changed because it creates a “licence to kill nature”.
We agree: MPs must ignore the false rhetoric about nature being a block to growth—and #PausePartIII.
Leading economists and ecologists say Part III of the Planning Bill must be changed because it creates a “licence to kill nature”.
We agree: MPs must ignore the false rhetoric about nature being a block to growth—and #PausePartIII.
Planning bill would allow builders to ‘pay cash to trash’ nature, say UK experts
Exclusive: plan to let firms sidestep environmental laws by paying into nature levy would add cost and delay, says letter to MPs
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
⚡️ BREAKING ⚡️
Leading economists and ecologists say Part III of the Planning Bill must be changed because it creates a “licence to kill nature”.
We agree: MPs must ignore the false rhetoric about nature being a block to growth—and #PausePartIII.
Leading economists and ecologists say Part III of the Planning Bill must be changed because it creates a “licence to kill nature”.
We agree: MPs must ignore the false rhetoric about nature being a block to growth—and #PausePartIII.
Reposted by Holly Gray
Ministers should listen to a powerful message from 32 nature organisations: the Planning Bill rides roughshod over nature protection, could push species towards extinction & cause greater loss of precious green space. Nature & development can go hand in hand - but this one-sided Bill isn’t the way
Planning bill ‘throws environmental protection to the wind’, say UK nature chiefs
Heads of 32 charities warn proposals could push species towards extinction and lead to irreversible habitat loss
www.theguardian.com
April 9, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Ministers should listen to a powerful message from 32 nature organisations: the Planning Bill rides roughshod over nature protection, could push species towards extinction & cause greater loss of precious green space. Nature & development can go hand in hand - but this one-sided Bill isn’t the way
Reposted by Holly Gray
⚠️ The Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill currently going through Parliament represents the biggest threat to our nature laws for over a generation.
It would mean that protections for precious species and habitats could be ignored by developers in exchange for a fee 💰
It would mean that protections for precious species and habitats could be ignored by developers in exchange for a fee 💰
A house divided cannot stand: development must work with nature for either to last | Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
We need sustainable development that goes hand-in-hand with nature, not a new law that accelerates its decline.
buff.ly
April 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
⚠️ The Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill currently going through Parliament represents the biggest threat to our nature laws for over a generation.
It would mean that protections for precious species and habitats could be ignored by developers in exchange for a fee 💰
It would mean that protections for precious species and habitats could be ignored by developers in exchange for a fee 💰
Reposted by Holly Gray
I asked Defra if any 2024–25 chalk stream projects are in Newbury. I'm pleased £80k has been awarded to Action for the River Kennet for restoring the River Shalbourne. It's great news—but more of our local rivers need support, and I’ll keep pushing for it.
April 4, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I asked Defra if any 2024–25 chalk stream projects are in Newbury. I'm pleased £80k has been awarded to Action for the River Kennet for restoring the River Shalbourne. It's great news—but more of our local rivers need support, and I’ll keep pushing for it.
Reposted by Holly Gray
Thank you to @bbowt.bsky.social for the useful conversation in Westminster about planning reforms this week.
Interesting discussion about integrating cycle infrastructure and nature into new housing developments, and protecting chalk streams like Letcombe Brook.
Interesting discussion about integrating cycle infrastructure and nature into new housing developments, and protecting chalk streams like Letcombe Brook.
April 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Thank you to @bbowt.bsky.social for the useful conversation in Westminster about planning reforms this week.
Interesting discussion about integrating cycle infrastructure and nature into new housing developments, and protecting chalk streams like Letcombe Brook.
Interesting discussion about integrating cycle infrastructure and nature into new housing developments, and protecting chalk streams like Letcombe Brook.
Reposted by Holly Gray
I met with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) today in parliament to discuss upcoming legislation and opportunities to further the protection of nature
April 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I met with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) today in parliament to discuss upcoming legislation and opportunities to further the protection of nature
Reposted by Holly Gray
We’ve talked a lot about the bat #tunnel recently. This is because we are having to push back against inaccurate rhetoric in speeches and the media. It is being used to scapegoat #bats. Or #scapebat as a colleague suggested.🦇 Read on for some facts @cieem.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social
🦇Throwing bats under the train: HS2’s bat tunnel and the dangerous spin behind deregulation. Read our latest news piece here: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/04...
Throwing bats under the train: HS2’s bat tunnel and the dangerous spin behind deregulation - News - Bat Conservation Trust
HS2's so-called bat tunnel has become a political scapegoat, used to justify rolling back environmental protections. But the real story is very different. This page breaks down what the bat tunnel is,...
www.bats.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
We’ve talked a lot about the bat #tunnel recently. This is because we are having to push back against inaccurate rhetoric in speeches and the media. It is being used to scapegoat #bats. Or #scapebat as a colleague suggested.🦇 Read on for some facts @cieem.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Holly Gray
🎉 A huge thankyou to everyone who supported our recent match fund appeal. We smashed our original target of £100,000 & have raised more than £135,000 for the Nature Recovery Fund.
🥰 Your generosity will make a big difference to our work protecting and restoring nature across Berks, Bucks & Oxon.
🥰 Your generosity will make a big difference to our work protecting and restoring nature across Berks, Bucks & Oxon.
March 27, 2025 at 10:05 AM
🎉 A huge thankyou to everyone who supported our recent match fund appeal. We smashed our original target of £100,000 & have raised more than £135,000 for the Nature Recovery Fund.
🥰 Your generosity will make a big difference to our work protecting and restoring nature across Berks, Bucks & Oxon.
🥰 Your generosity will make a big difference to our work protecting and restoring nature across Berks, Bucks & Oxon.
Reposted by Holly Gray
Exciting news for nature & education! 🌿
We were thrilled to see that Department for Education has confirmed the launch of a Natural History GCSE. This will help inspire & empower the next generation to connect with the natural world & understand the vital importance of protecting it.
We were thrilled to see that Department for Education has confirmed the launch of a Natural History GCSE. This will help inspire & empower the next generation to connect with the natural world & understand the vital importance of protecting it.
March 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Exciting news for nature & education! 🌿
We were thrilled to see that Department for Education has confirmed the launch of a Natural History GCSE. This will help inspire & empower the next generation to connect with the natural world & understand the vital importance of protecting it.
We were thrilled to see that Department for Education has confirmed the launch of a Natural History GCSE. This will help inspire & empower the next generation to connect with the natural world & understand the vital importance of protecting it.
Reposted by Holly Gray
Nature & farming groups incl @WildlifeTrusts @NFFNuk @NFUtweets unite in calling for Government to not cut nature-friendly farming budget🧑🌾- would hit farming families, stop climate action & cause further damage to rivers, landscapes & wildlife🥀
See 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/farming-and-...
See 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/farming-and-...
Environmentalists and farmers unite to urge Government to avoid hammer blow to nature and food security
www.wcl.org.uk
March 25, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Nature & farming groups incl @WildlifeTrusts @NFFNuk @NFUtweets unite in calling for Government to not cut nature-friendly farming budget🧑🌾- would hit farming families, stop climate action & cause further damage to rivers, landscapes & wildlife🥀
See 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/farming-and-...
See 👇
www.wcl.org.uk/farming-and-...
Reposted by Holly Gray
Gov plans to bulldoze environmental protections are at odds with public sentiment ❌
71% public want MORE planning protections for our National Parks, green and blue spaces, woodland, community parks, rivers, lakes and streams ✔️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
71% public want MORE planning protections for our National Parks, green and blue spaces, woodland, community parks, rivers, lakes and streams ✔️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK charities urge ministers to stop scapegoating nature for planning failures
Exclusive: RSPB and National Trust among groups saying rhetoric from Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer at odds with public sentiment
www.theguardian.com
March 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Gov plans to bulldoze environmental protections are at odds with public sentiment ❌
71% public want MORE planning protections for our National Parks, green and blue spaces, woodland, community parks, rivers, lakes and streams ✔️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
71% public want MORE planning protections for our National Parks, green and blue spaces, woodland, community parks, rivers, lakes and streams ✔️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...