Conservation groups are close to their £30m target to buy the 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate in Northumberland after a £1.9m government pledge. The Wildlife Trusts plan to boost wildlife, restore bogs and promote nature-friendly farming on the land.
Lundy Island, off the north Devon coast, captured more than 100,000 litres of rain in 48 hours during Storm Austen. Its water tanks rose to about 53.5% full, a jump of 20 percentage points after reservoir levels had fallen to 13% earlier this year.
A rare sea aster mining bee, usually found on England's south and east coasts, has been spotted for the first time at Steart Marshes in Somerset. The discovery is being linked to saltmarsh restoration work at the nature reserve, which has helped create a welcoming home for the newcomer.
Volunteers are being invited to help plant trees at Williams Brotherhood Park in Stockton. The effort is part of a drive to make the town greener.
