Discussion topic this week: Emulate King's College, Cambridge, and bid farewell to the traditional lawnmower
In a significant shift towards a more natural and diverse ecosystem, rewilding efforts in Britain are making a positive impact on the country's biodiversity. These initiatives aim to restore self-sustaining ecosystems with minimal human intervention, leading to increased wildlife populations and connected habitats [1][4].
One of the most prominent examples of rewilding can be seen at King's College, Cambridge, where the extensively manicured turf was replaced with a lush, majestic meadow in 2018 [2]. This change has led to a remarkable increase in biodiversity, with bats increasing threefold and invertebrates increasing 25 times.
Rewilding is not just limited to institutional settings; it is also becoming a popular alternative for country homes. The meadow at King's College is not an anomaly, but rather a trend that is gaining traction among homeowners [3].
Small-scale rewilding projects also benefit urban biodiversity and community wellbeing. By creating green spaces, these initiatives support local wildlife and contribute positively to the city's ecosystem [2]. Furthermore, rewilding projects help capture carbon, improve ecosystem services like pollination and flood control, and increase ecological resilience [3][5].
Organizations such as Rewilding Britain envision rewilding 30% of Britain’s land and sea by 2030, making rewilding a key part of future environmental policy for biodiversity recovery and climate mitigation [1]. Evidence gathered from existing projects reveals tangible benefits such as expanded biodiversity, stronger ecosystems, and enhanced carbon sequestration, which help drive policy support and wider adoption [4][5].
Meanwhile, in the world of culinary arts, fusion food has taken centre stage. Once associated with unqualified chefs, fusion food is now synonymous with high-end dining and a demonstration of culinary skill and artistry [6]. Highlights from Miris Y Maíz's menu include tacos filled with paneer cheese and coconut-braised beef brisket served with calamansi and mole, a Mexican sauce. The menu at Claridge's featured dishes infused with Indian flavors, such as reconstructed olives encased in a sphere of chocolate and a Noccorella puree [7].
Fulham's favourite restaurant, Freak Scene, has launched a pop-up on Wardour Street, offering a menu by chef Scott Hallsworth that includes grilled unagi and foie gras rolls and bespoke sake [8]. Down the road on Rupert Street, chef Dom Fernando has launched a residency at Paradise, serving a fusion of South Asian and Mexican street food until the end of August [9]. Hrishikesh Desai, patron chef at Farlam Hall in Cumbria, recently showcased his fusion food at Claridge's in London as part of their Kitchen Supper Series [10].
However, the current dry weather has had a devastating impact on pastures, affecting livestock farmers' hay yields. As a result, livestock farmers are having to feed supplementary hay and concentrate feeds [11]. This lack of grass will have a negative impact on farm cashflows and reduced stores of saved forage.
Sources:
- Rewilding Britain
- King's College, Cambridge
- The Guardian
- Nature
- Science Advances
- The New York Times
- Claridge's
- Freak Scene
- Paradise
- Farlam Hall
- Farmers Weekly
The trend of rewilding extends beyond institutional settings, finding a place in the lifestyle choices of country homeowners, transforming their gardens into lush, biodiverse meadows [3]. Snacking on fusion food, a blend of culinary styles from around the world, has become an essential aspect of the fashion-and-beauty scene in entertainment and food-and-drink culture [6][7][8][9][10].
