Lewis Winks
@lewis-winks.bsky.social
Researcher, writer and campaigner with Right to Roam; social and cultural geography; environmental social science; campaigning to defend the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. Devon based.
Reposted by Lewis Winks
'the abandoned paper mill was actually a deeply contaminated and highly radioactive former frack waste treatment plan'
Hard to overstate the enduring filth released by fossil fuel extraction
Hard to overstate the enduring filth released by fossil fuel extraction
November 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
'the abandoned paper mill was actually a deeply contaminated and highly radioactive former frack waste treatment plan'
Hard to overstate the enduring filth released by fossil fuel extraction
Hard to overstate the enduring filth released by fossil fuel extraction
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Great trespass along the River Dart today to kick off @righttoroam.bsky.social's 9 river trespasses in November - protesting the inadequacy & unworkability of the Govt's 9 river walks pledge
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
November 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Great trespass along the River Dart today to kick off @righttoroam.bsky.social's 9 river trespasses in November - protesting the inadequacy & unworkability of the Govt's 9 river walks pledge
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
We trespassed in an estate owned in the Cayman Islands & later met up with kayakers from Friends of the Dart
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Over 200 charities, businesses & organisations have signed our open letter to Keir Starmer asking him not to weaken the laws protecting National Parks and Landscapes.
We're so thankful to everyone who added their name 💪
This letter represents millions of people and shows that #NationalParksMatter
We're so thankful to everyone who added their name 💪
This letter represents millions of people and shows that #NationalParksMatter
October 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Over 200 charities, businesses & organisations have signed our open letter to Keir Starmer asking him not to weaken the laws protecting National Parks and Landscapes.
We're so thankful to everyone who added their name 💪
This letter represents millions of people and shows that #NationalParksMatter
We're so thankful to everyone who added their name 💪
This letter represents millions of people and shows that #NationalParksMatter
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Very excited to share that I'm writing a new book, THE GHOSTS OF CHALK COUNTRY - about the loss of England's chalk downland: a tale of flowers, fascism & freedom.
To be published by @wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social in April 2027:
www.thebookseller.com/rights/willi...
Website: ghostsofchalkcountry.org
To be published by @wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social in April 2027:
www.thebookseller.com/rights/willi...
Website: ghostsofchalkcountry.org
September 25, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Very excited to share that I'm writing a new book, THE GHOSTS OF CHALK COUNTRY - about the loss of England's chalk downland: a tale of flowers, fascism & freedom.
To be published by @wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social in April 2027:
www.thebookseller.com/rights/willi...
Website: ghostsofchalkcountry.org
To be published by @wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social in April 2027:
www.thebookseller.com/rights/willi...
Website: ghostsofchalkcountry.org
Reposted by Lewis Winks
How do we fix this mess?
September 16, 2025 at 6:34 AM
How do we fix this mess?
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Absolutely delighted that my book THE LIE OF THE LAND has won the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing!
This week, one of the book’s recommendations, a ban on moorland burning, became a reality. Next, we need a Nature Bill for England…
bsky.app/profile/wain...
This week, one of the book’s recommendations, a ban on moorland burning, became a reality. Next, we need a Nature Bill for England…
bsky.app/profile/wain...
The WINNER of the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing...
The Lie of the Land, @guyshrubsole.bsky.social (@wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social)
#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect
The Lie of the Land, @guyshrubsole.bsky.social (@wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social)
#WainwrightPrize #StoriesThatConnect
September 10, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Absolutely delighted that my book THE LIE OF THE LAND has won the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing!
This week, one of the book’s recommendations, a ban on moorland burning, became a reality. Next, we need a Nature Bill for England…
bsky.app/profile/wain...
This week, one of the book’s recommendations, a ban on moorland burning, became a reality. Next, we need a Nature Bill for England…
bsky.app/profile/wain...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
This week's column. The details will make you gasp and rage. This massive desecration of nature is almost unbelievable, but it is happening in the UK right now.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Bluefin tuna are miraculously returning to UK shores – only to be tormented for ‘sport’ | George Monbiot
A tournament in Cornwall will pit anglers against these magnificent creatures, as part of a rising trend for so-called ‘sportfishing’, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:17 AM
This week's column. The details will make you gasp and rage. This massive desecration of nature is almost unbelievable, but it is happening in the UK right now.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
This prize draw is generously supported by some of the cream of British nature writing.
A fiver to enter might win you books, art and other goodies.
That’s the ‘maybe’… the ‘definitely’ is that it will support our work to connect everyone in England and Wales with their nearby nature.
A fiver to enter might win you books, art and other goodies.
That’s the ‘maybe’… the ‘definitely’ is that it will support our work to connect everyone in England and Wales with their nearby nature.
Want to support the campaign for a real Right to Roam across England & Wales, all while having a chance to win a bundle of beautiful nature bundles?
Take part in our Prize Draw which closes at the end of the week!
Supported by @foldedorset.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/right-to-r...
Take part in our Prize Draw which closes at the end of the week!
Supported by @foldedorset.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/right-to-r...
Right to Roam: 10 Nature Inspired Prize Bundles
Help us fuel our campaign to secure a full right to roam in England to give people better access to nature.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This prize draw is generously supported by some of the cream of British nature writing.
A fiver to enter might win you books, art and other goodies.
That’s the ‘maybe’… the ‘definitely’ is that it will support our work to connect everyone in England and Wales with their nearby nature.
A fiver to enter might win you books, art and other goodies.
That’s the ‘maybe’… the ‘definitely’ is that it will support our work to connect everyone in England and Wales with their nearby nature.
Your chance to support Right to Roam's trailblazing grassroots work to expand responsible access to land and water.
All proceeds will go towards a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift in our relationship with the countryside PLUS a chance to win some nature inspired prizes! ⬇️✨
All proceeds will go towards a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift in our relationship with the countryside PLUS a chance to win some nature inspired prizes! ⬇️✨
Want to support the campaign for a real Right to Roam across England & Wales, all while having a chance to win a bundle of beautiful nature bundles?
Take part in our Prize Draw which closes at the end of the week!
Supported by @foldedorset.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/right-to-r...
Take part in our Prize Draw which closes at the end of the week!
Supported by @foldedorset.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/right-to-r...
Right to Roam: 10 Nature Inspired Prize Bundles
Help us fuel our campaign to secure a full right to roam in England to give people better access to nature.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Your chance to support Right to Roam's trailblazing grassroots work to expand responsible access to land and water.
All proceeds will go towards a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift in our relationship with the countryside PLUS a chance to win some nature inspired prizes! ⬇️✨
All proceeds will go towards a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift in our relationship with the countryside PLUS a chance to win some nature inspired prizes! ⬇️✨
My mate Damien is currently undertaking the world's longest litter pick - the Lu'Crusade - on his bicycle, to raise money for Trash Free Trails.
If you can, please support his efforts!
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
If you can, please support his efforts!
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Help raise £5000 to complete a 1,000 mile litter pick for Trash Free Trails – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to complete a 1,000 mile litter pick for Trash Free Trails. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
www.justgiving.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
My mate Damien is currently undertaking the world's longest litter pick - the Lu'Crusade - on his bicycle, to raise money for Trash Free Trails.
If you can, please support his efforts!
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
If you can, please support his efforts!
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Love #Dartmoor? Now’s your chance to influence its future.
People who care passionately about the National Park are invited to share their views on the priorities that will guide this unique landscape for years to come.
Complete the Public Opinion Survey: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
People who care passionately about the National Park are invited to share their views on the priorities that will guide this unique landscape for years to come.
Complete the Public Opinion Survey: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
August 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Love #Dartmoor? Now’s your chance to influence its future.
People who care passionately about the National Park are invited to share their views on the priorities that will guide this unique landscape for years to come.
Complete the Public Opinion Survey: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
People who care passionately about the National Park are invited to share their views on the priorities that will guide this unique landscape for years to come.
Complete the Public Opinion Survey: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
I got hold of the latest *official* stats for how many pheasants are being bred, reared and released in England
It's a big number - 25.9 million - but it's far less than the reality
It points to widespread rule-breaking by shooting estates failing to register:
whoownsengland.org/2025/07/31/l...
It's a big number - 25.9 million - but it's far less than the reality
It points to widespread rule-breaking by shooting estates failing to register:
whoownsengland.org/2025/07/31/l...
Latest pheasant release stats point to widespread rule-breaking by shooting estates
This post is by Guy Shrubsole. Photo: a rather gruesome sight on a shooting estate in Berkshire. 25.9 million pheasants are currently being bred, reared or released in England, according to the lat…
whoownsengland.org
July 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I got hold of the latest *official* stats for how many pheasants are being bred, reared and released in England
It's a big number - 25.9 million - but it's far less than the reality
It points to widespread rule-breaking by shooting estates failing to register:
whoownsengland.org/2025/07/31/l...
It's a big number - 25.9 million - but it's far less than the reality
It points to widespread rule-breaking by shooting estates failing to register:
whoownsengland.org/2025/07/31/l...
Great leader in today's Guardian building on our research into ownership of rivers:
"...there is no guarantee that landowners will allow the public to enjoy these landscapes. This, surely, has to change."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"...there is no guarantee that landowners will allow the public to enjoy these landscapes. This, surely, has to change."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on England’s riverbanks: landscapes that everyone should be able to enjoy | Editorial
Editorial: Only a small sliver of riverside land is accessible to the public. Rights of way shouldn’t depend on the goodwill of landowners
www.theguardian.com
July 31, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Great leader in today's Guardian building on our research into ownership of rivers:
"...there is no guarantee that landowners will allow the public to enjoy these landscapes. This, surely, has to change."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"...there is no guarantee that landowners will allow the public to enjoy these landscapes. This, surely, has to change."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Happy #RewildingRoundup 🐛💚
🌊 Research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social has shown that Devon's river Dart has a staggering 108 owners, many of whom are aristocracy, demonstrating the vital link between conserving nature and addressing the country's need for more public access & ownership.
🌊 Research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social has shown that Devon's river Dart has a staggering 108 owners, many of whom are aristocracy, demonstrating the vital link between conserving nature and addressing the country's need for more public access & ownership.
July 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Happy #RewildingRoundup 🐛💚
🌊 Research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social has shown that Devon's river Dart has a staggering 108 owners, many of whom are aristocracy, demonstrating the vital link between conserving nature and addressing the country's need for more public access & ownership.
🌊 Research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social has shown that Devon's river Dart has a staggering 108 owners, many of whom are aristocracy, demonstrating the vital link between conserving nature and addressing the country's need for more public access & ownership.
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Excellent to hear @lewis-winks.bsky.social on the Today programme this morning discussing his research on 'Who owns the River Dart' - and why this shows we need a right of responsible access
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners
Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access
www.theguardian.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Excellent to hear @lewis-winks.bsky.social on the Today programme this morning discussing his research on 'Who owns the River Dart' - and why this shows we need a right of responsible access
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Over the past 18 months I've been walking estates, speaking with landowners, examining angling maps, and trawling online records to determine who owns the River Dart in Devon- finally I can share the results!
Research: whoownsengland.org/2025/07/29/w...
Article:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Research: whoownsengland.org/2025/07/29/w...
Article:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners
Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Over the past 18 months I've been walking estates, speaking with landowners, examining angling maps, and trawling online records to determine who owns the River Dart in Devon- finally I can share the results!
Research: whoownsengland.org/2025/07/29/w...
Article:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Research: whoownsengland.org/2025/07/29/w...
Article:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
@lewis-winks.bsky.social, who compiled the River Dart research: “We’re calling for a rights-based approach to river access – similar to the system in Scotland, where the public has the right to responsibly walk, swim, paddle and canoe along most rivers and lochs, with sensible exceptions.”
Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners
Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners
Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access
Campaigners in Devon are calling for a right to the riverbank after finding their local river, the Dart, has 108 separate owners, with an eighth of it owned via offshore companies.
Locals used site visits, angling maps, Companies House records and Land Registry data to find out who owns the River Dart. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
@lewis-winks.bsky.social, who compiled the River Dart research: “We’re calling for a rights-based approach to river access – similar to the system in Scotland, where the public has the right to responsibly walk, swim, paddle and canoe along most rivers and lochs, with sensible exceptions.”
Reposted by Lewis Winks
I've spent many hours on, in and beside the Dart. I found this fascinating, enraging and illuminating - and it probably applies to a river near you.
Who owns the River Dart? 108 separate landowners, it turns out - with 11 miles of it owned by offshore companies!
Great research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social which shows why the Government's 9 river walks policy won't work without a right of responsible access 1/
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Great research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social which shows why the Government's 9 river walks policy won't work without a right of responsible access 1/
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners
Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I've spent many hours on, in and beside the Dart. I found this fascinating, enraging and illuminating - and it probably applies to a river near you.
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Who owns the River Dart? 108 separate landowners, it turns out - with 11 miles of it owned by offshore companies!
Great research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social which shows why the Government's 9 river walks policy won't work without a right of responsible access 1/
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Great research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social which shows why the Government's 9 river walks policy won't work without a right of responsible access 1/
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners
Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Who owns the River Dart? 108 separate landowners, it turns out - with 11 miles of it owned by offshore companies!
Great research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social which shows why the Government's 9 river walks policy won't work without a right of responsible access 1/
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Great research by @lewis-winks.bsky.social which shows why the Government's 9 river walks policy won't work without a right of responsible access 1/
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
This looks like really positive news. Very happy to be proven posthumously correct and see many of my concerns addressed.
Well done to @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social, @rspb.bsky.social and everyone who fought for proper nature protections in planning.
Well done to @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social, @rspb.bsky.social and everyone who fought for proper nature protections in planning.
New Government planning amendments in response to campaigning efforts
New Government planning amendments in response to campaigning efforts
www.wcl.org.uk
July 17, 2025 at 9:15 PM
This looks like really positive news. Very happy to be proven posthumously correct and see many of my concerns addressed.
Well done to @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social, @rspb.bsky.social and everyone who fought for proper nature protections in planning.
Well done to @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @wclnews.bsky.social, @rspb.bsky.social and everyone who fought for proper nature protections in planning.
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Back in court for day 2 of our Dartmoor legal challenge today....and a timely, excellent piece from @phoebeweston.bsky.social on overgrazing. Expert local opinion from the brilliant @tonydartmoor.bsky.social & @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘The place is bleached, a dead zone’: how the UK’s most beloved landscapes became biodiversity deserts
National parks, famous for their rich natural heritage, should be at the heart of efforts to protect habitats and wildlife. Instead, experts say they are declining – fast
www.theguardian.com
July 16, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Back in court for day 2 of our Dartmoor legal challenge today....and a timely, excellent piece from @phoebeweston.bsky.social on overgrazing. Expert local opinion from the brilliant @tonydartmoor.bsky.social & @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Some politicians like to pretend it's people's wellbeing or nature's. In truth, people benefit from the same conditions - cool shade, clean air, pure water - that wildlife needs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Country diary: An urban habitat that is good for birds works for humans too | Mary Montague
Belfast: I take part in the British Trust for Ornithology’s breeding bird survey, and find out what makes a national park city
www.theguardian.com
July 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Some politicians like to pretend it's people's wellbeing or nature's. In truth, people benefit from the same conditions - cool shade, clean air, pure water - that wildlife needs.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
The more we discover, the worse it gets. Now we learn the water companies wrote the guidance ensuring sewage sludge is not tested for the vast majority of contaminants before being spread on farmland. They gave themselves a free licence to dump hazardous waste. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Environment Agency insider alleges ‘cover-up’ over sewage sludge on farmland
Regulator and government accused of colluding with water industry to dump potentially toxic waste without oversight
www.theguardian.com
July 10, 2025 at 6:13 AM
The more we discover, the worse it gets. Now we learn the water companies wrote the guidance ensuring sewage sludge is not tested for the vast majority of contaminants before being spread on farmland. They gave themselves a free licence to dump hazardous waste. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
And here's why things are out of control:
How England’s outdated water tracking system leaves regulators in the dark 4/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How England’s outdated water tracking system leaves regulators in the dark 4/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How England’s outdated water tracking system leaves regulators in the dark
Experts warn accurately monitoring consumption by bulk users such as farmers, datacentres and businesses can be all but impossible
www.theguardian.com
June 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
And here's why things are out of control:
How England’s outdated water tracking system leaves regulators in the dark 4/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How England’s outdated water tracking system leaves regulators in the dark 4/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Lewis Winks
Bridehead Unvisited…
Today around a hundred of us trespassed in the Bridehead Estate, where access was recently closed to the public by the new corporate owners - to protest the fragility of permissive access & how companies are enclosing the countryside
www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/2529187...
Today around a hundred of us trespassed in the Bridehead Estate, where access was recently closed to the public by the new corporate owners - to protest the fragility of permissive access & how companies are enclosing the countryside
www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/2529187...
Mass trespass at beauty spot in 'right to roam' protest
Around 60 people met in Littlebredy today for a protest at the Bridehead Estate organised by the Right to Roam campaign group.
www.bridportnews.co.uk
July 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Bridehead Unvisited…
Today around a hundred of us trespassed in the Bridehead Estate, where access was recently closed to the public by the new corporate owners - to protest the fragility of permissive access & how companies are enclosing the countryside
www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/2529187...
Today around a hundred of us trespassed in the Bridehead Estate, where access was recently closed to the public by the new corporate owners - to protest the fragility of permissive access & how companies are enclosing the countryside
www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/2529187...