Richlite Company’s Post

We are delighted to announce that Ecus has officially rebranded as Cura Terrae. Now operating as the Land & Nature division of Cura Terrae, Ecus will continue to provide its full suite of environmental services, including ecology, heritage and archaeology, environmental assessments and consenting, landscape architecture, arboriculture, and habitats. This rebrand enhances our ability to offer integrated solutions across land & nature, air, water and management & compliance, reinforcing our dedication to environmental excellence. Cura Terrae is a leading environmental consultancy and services group. Our collective expertise spans environmental monitoring, consultancy, and technological solutions, all aimed at addressing pressing environmental challenges. We thank our clients, partners, and dedicated team members for their unwavering support during this transition. Together, under the Cura Terrae banner, we are ready to make an even greater impact. For more details about this exciting development, please read our full announcement here 👉 https://bit.ly/403iiV6 Follow their page: Cura Terrae Land & Nature #Rebrand #EnvironmentalServices #LandandNature

I like to joke that moving to the Midwest I felt like a pioneer of some sort: a wagon(eer) filled with orchids, books and colorful shoes; plus a desire to settle roots. Today, I feel transported further back… to the early 1800s when Lewis and Clark passed through these parts. Their stories and what they were encountering would fill you with wonder. Through their journey, they recorded over 300 species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and plants. Today, I saw Canadian geese, Mallards, what looked like a dead Red-Eared Slider and some jumpy fish (no ID). Slim. And we forget... There is a term for this (I recently learned from a fellow landscape architect): Environmental Amnesia. We forget, or we don’t even know, what the baseline biodiversity was/should be. We need to stay curious about that question (What should the baseline biodiversity be?); so we can keep on aiming for the answer.

"Human beings depend on a biodiverse planet for survival" — Mary Margaret Jones, FASLA, PLA, CEO and President, Hargreaves Jones Landscape Architecture Landscape architects are looking ahead, forseeing the future impacts of the biodiversity crisis. Hargreaves Jones offers a model for increasing biodiversity at Crissy Field in San Francisco, California. They restored 40 acres of tidal marsh and dune habitat, reintroducing native plants, birds, and fish. Learn more at asla.org/positive Return tomorrow for the last video in the series. We explain how landscape architects reduce climate impacts and emissions and increase biodiversity – all at the same time. #LandscapeArchitecture #Biodiversity

🌿📸 Exciting News: My Venus Flytrap Photograph is Gracing the Cover of Conservation Biology this month! 🎉 I'm thrilled to announce that my macro image of a Venus flytrap has been selected for the cover of Conservation Biology's October 2024 issue. This feature highlights the critical importance of plant conservation and the power of visual storytelling in science. 🔍 Did you know? • Venus flytraps are endemic only to a small region in the Carolinas • They face threats from illegal collection for the horticultural trade • Two out of five plant species are at risk of extinction globally This cover story is more than just a personal achievement. It's a call to action for plant conservation and a testament to the impact of diverse perspectives in scientific communication. Want to know more about: • The story behind this decade-old image? • How it's contributing to conservation efforts? • What this means for the future of plant protection? I've just published a detailed blog post on my Substack newsletter. Dive deeper into the story and join the conversation about conservation photography's role in protecting our planet's biodiversity. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gsX9eJaF #ConservationPhotography #PlantConservation #BiodiversityMatters #ScienceCommunication #VenusFlytrap #Photojournalism Society for Conservation Biology International League of Conservation Photographers ILCP #iLCP National Geographic Society #DukeUniversity #DukeGreenhouse #Photography #MacroPhotography

Historic buildings and their surrounding ecosystems often coexist harmoniously, showcasing a delicate balance between human history and natural habitats. While it's true that, in rare instances, animals may cause damage to buildings, the benefits of preserving ecology far outweigh these occasional challenges. Maintaining a healthy ecosystem around historic structures not only enhances biodiversity but could also contribute to the building's consolidation process. Not all plants, insects and small animals are harmful. Let's recognise the symbiotic relationship between ecology and historic buildings. By prioritising the preservation of both, we can ensure a sustainable future for our architectural heritage and the natural world. #EcologyPreservation #HistoricBuildings #SustainableHeritage #Biodiversity

A holistic view A recent project which is so typical of many projects these days required us to provide the following elements, a part of ‘seeing the whole of it’ as our old friend John Ruskin once called it. A Conservation Management Plan, a Green Infrastructure Statement, A Heritage Impact Assessment, A Landscape and Visual Appraisal, A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Protected Species surveys and reports, Landscape and ecology proposals and plans, A Design and Access Statement, A Habitats Regulations Assessment, A Pre-construction Environmental Management Plan. There are other elements beyond our capabilities that might be required too, for example a geotechnical report and an archaeological appraisal, to mention just two.

As a proud partner to the Wainwright Prize, it’s fantastic to share the news of this year’s winners. The winner for Writing on Conservation, the category that Alex Try helped to judge, is Blue Machine: How Oceans Shape Our World by Helen Czerski. Blue Machine is a spectacular story of how our oceans shape our world, covering their impact on animals and weather through to human history and culture. It’s an incredible book that highlights the importance of our oceans, from their impact on our climate and weather systems through to the wildlife and people that depend upon them.  Here in the UK, we have globally important populations of seabirds, with Britain and Ireland holding most of the world’s nesting Manx Shearwaters, Gannets and Great Skuas. Yet many of our seabirds are struggling, with much-loved birds such as Puffins and Common Gulls on the UK Red List of highest conservation concern.  At the RSPB we’re determined that our seabirds should thrive, and Blue Machine shines a light on our oceans’ complex, interlinked systems. That’s why we’re working for seabirds on all fronts, from campaigning to protect the food they rely on, through to restoring and protecting their breeding grounds. As well as being a fantastic read, Helen’s book is a timely reminder that to restore and protect the natural world, we need to work together across all areas to tackle the problems we face. Read more and find out the winners of the other categories here, and congratulations to all the authors: https://lnkd.in/enrjvAT9 #Nature #Conservation #Literature 

Why do we bring our Landscape Architects into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) proposals? Because they have the expertise to design spaces that benefit both people and wildlife. This helps avoid the pitfalls of 'designing by metric'—where designs are based solely on numbers, not real-world impact. Plus, when different environmental experts work together, the results for development projects are significantly better 🙌 It's about more than achieving that 10%; it's about creating beautiful and biodiverse places that serve both wildlife and communities in equal measure. Learn more: https://loom.ly/GP06ztE #BNG #LandscapeArchitect #Ecology #environmentalconsultancy

🌿 Exciting Opportunity for Youth Conservation Advocates! 🦓🌍 📢 Announcement: The Wildlife Clubs of Kenya proudly presents the Annual National Competition, inspiring the next generation to actively champion wildlife and environmental conservation! 🌳✨ 🎨 Categories: 1. Artwork Category:   🎨 Interpret the theme "Combat Climate Change, Restore Nature for Posterity" through your artistic lens! 2. Photography Category:   📸 Capture unique scenarios illustrating climate change and its impact on humanity and wildlife. 3. Essay Category:   - Upper Primary: Share solutions to combat climate change.   - Junior Secondary: Craft a poetic journey titled "Echoes of a Warming World."   - Secondary School: Dive deep into the causes, impacts, and actions to address climate change.   - Tertiary Institutions: Analyze individual responsibility vs. governmental action and propose a comprehensive strategy. 🏆Eligibility Criteria:   - Photography: Ages 9-25 years   - Artwork: Use any art media, minimum size A3   - Open to all age groups   - Ensure each entry includes student details, school information, and valid contact details. 📅 Important Dates:   - Submission Deadline: 3/31/2024 👉 How to Participate:   - Visit https://lnkd.in/eufGAyYZ for detailed guidelines 🌐 Spread the Word!   - Tag a friend who's passionate about conservation   - Share this post to empower young minds in environmental stewardship! 🏞️ Let's combat climate change together! 🌎💙 #WildlifeConservation #ClimateAction #YouthEmpowerment #KenyaConserves

Finally some sane advice regarding Green Buildings by Malaysian architect Kenneth Yeang. He feels that infrastructure should be also green for real impact. To save planet, we have to start with ecology. But how many architects are trained in ecology? Not even 1%. They are not teaching how to enhance biodiversity, how to reduce pollution, how to reduce use of water, waste. A large portion of landfill in most cities are from building construction.