Luke Steele
@lukesteele.bsky.social
Nature and environmental policy and law 🌳 | Studying PhD, regulatory reform of the UK's upland environment ⚖️ ✡️ 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Luke Steele
@lukesteele.bsky.social
· Jun 8
Hello BlueSky!
Excited to be here to meet people, new and old.
I'm a magpie-like collector of passions, most connected by the common threads of nature and the environment.
Nature and climate advocacy; environmental law and policy; rewilding and nature restoration; wildlife; adventuring.
Excited to be here to meet people, new and old.
I'm a magpie-like collector of passions, most connected by the common threads of nature and the environment.
Nature and climate advocacy; environmental law and policy; rewilding and nature restoration; wildlife; adventuring.
Reposted by Luke Steele
This week @simonforstroud.bsky.social & 20 other MPs made a valiant effort to strengthen Community Right to Buy powers to help communities own rivers, woods & moors
Ministers didn't accept the amendments but sought to reassure that CRtB will apply to environmental assets 1/
bsky.app/profile/guys...
Ministers didn't accept the amendments but sought to reassure that CRtB will apply to environmental assets 1/
bsky.app/profile/guys...
Let communities own rivers, woods & moors!
Excellent to see @simonforstroud.bsky.social has tabled amendments 107 & 108 to the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy laws in this way.
We need more Labour MPs to support this - email yours:
www.reclaimourmoors.uk/write-to-you... 1/
Excellent to see @simonforstroud.bsky.social has tabled amendments 107 & 108 to the Devolution Bill to strengthen Community Right to Buy laws in this way.
We need more Labour MPs to support this - email yours:
www.reclaimourmoors.uk/write-to-you... 1/
November 28, 2025 at 11:39 AM
This week @simonforstroud.bsky.social & 20 other MPs made a valiant effort to strengthen Community Right to Buy powers to help communities own rivers, woods & moors
Ministers didn't accept the amendments but sought to reassure that CRtB will apply to environmental assets 1/
bsky.app/profile/guys...
Ministers didn't accept the amendments but sought to reassure that CRtB will apply to environmental assets 1/
bsky.app/profile/guys...
Great to see the National Estate for Nature group commit to publishing estate management plans by April 2026.
Together, the group members manage 10% of England’s land, including vital upland habitats like peatlands, woodlands and ancient grasslands.
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
Together, the group members manage 10% of England’s land, including vital upland habitats like peatlands, woodlands and ancient grasslands.
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
Leading the way: National Estate for Nature agrees shared objectives to accelerate nature recovery
The National Estate for Nature group has taken an important step forward in its mission to drive nature recovery across England’s major estates. Read this post to find out more.
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk
November 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Great to see the National Estate for Nature group commit to publishing estate management plans by April 2026.
Together, the group members manage 10% of England’s land, including vital upland habitats like peatlands, woodlands and ancient grasslands.
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
Together, the group members manage 10% of England’s land, including vital upland habitats like peatlands, woodlands and ancient grasslands.
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
Business can be a powerful force for good in restoring nature.
This major investment in restoring degraded upland peatlands by Diageo will boost carbon storage, reduce flood risk for communities and support land-based jobs.
sustainabilitymag.com/news/why-is-...
This major investment in restoring degraded upland peatlands by Diageo will boost carbon storage, reduce flood risk for communities and support land-based jobs.
sustainabilitymag.com/news/why-is-...
Why is Diageo Investing US$6.5m into Scottish Peatland?
Diageo is investing up to $6.5m to restore peatlands, boosting carbon storage, biodiversity and water resilience while rethinking peat use across Scotland
sustainabilitymag.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Business can be a powerful force for good in restoring nature.
This major investment in restoring degraded upland peatlands by Diageo will boost carbon storage, reduce flood risk for communities and support land-based jobs.
sustainabilitymag.com/news/why-is-...
This major investment in restoring degraded upland peatlands by Diageo will boost carbon storage, reduce flood risk for communities and support land-based jobs.
sustainabilitymag.com/news/why-is-...
Reposted by Luke Steele
Some beautiful shots of resident Lakeland Fell ponies Stan, Dan and Paddy. They have been really thriving on the rough hill pastures on Tarras Valley and doing a fantastic job helping to regenerate the grassland habitats!
📷 Faith Garvey
📷 Faith Garvey
October 29, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Some beautiful shots of resident Lakeland Fell ponies Stan, Dan and Paddy. They have been really thriving on the rough hill pastures on Tarras Valley and doing a fantastic job helping to regenerate the grassland habitats!
📷 Faith Garvey
📷 Faith Garvey
Reposted by Luke Steele
To all the fallen, we will remember them.⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀
📷 Emma Varley
📍 Lancing Ring
#LestWeForget #WeWillRememberThem #Remembrance
⠀⠀⠀
📷 Emma Varley
📍 Lancing Ring
#LestWeForget #WeWillRememberThem #Remembrance
November 11, 2025 at 7:01 AM
To all the fallen, we will remember them.⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀
📷 Emma Varley
📍 Lancing Ring
#LestWeForget #WeWillRememberThem #Remembrance
⠀⠀⠀
📷 Emma Varley
📍 Lancing Ring
#LestWeForget #WeWillRememberThem #Remembrance
When we picture extinction, it evokes images of a toad whose swamp is drying up or birds of prey vanishing from the skies.
But beneath our feet a quieter crisis is unfolding. Plants, the foundation of life itself, are disappearing — and deserve far more attention.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
But beneath our feet a quieter crisis is unfolding. Plants, the foundation of life itself, are disappearing — and deserve far more attention.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
A quarter of Britain’s native plants now at risk of extinction
The first update in two decades to a “red list” of plants found a substantial increase in the number of threatened species, but there are some reasons for hope
www.thetimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
When we picture extinction, it evokes images of a toad whose swamp is drying up or birds of prey vanishing from the skies.
But beneath our feet a quieter crisis is unfolding. Plants, the foundation of life itself, are disappearing — and deserve far more attention.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
But beneath our feet a quieter crisis is unfolding. Plants, the foundation of life itself, are disappearing — and deserve far more attention.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Reposted by Luke Steele
Red squirrel in the Yorkshire Dales. #ThePhotoHour #squirrels #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @mammalsociety.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Red squirrel in the Yorkshire Dales. #ThePhotoHour #squirrels #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @mammalsociety.bsky.social
Sir David Attenborough has thrown his support behind a major bid by The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust to buy the 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate.
If successful, it would become England's largest ever land acquisition for nature restoration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
If successful, it would become England's largest ever land acquisition for nature restoration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate
Wildlife trusts attempt to raise £30m to keep Northumberland's Rothbury Estate from being split up.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Sir David Attenborough has thrown his support behind a major bid by The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust to buy the 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate.
If successful, it would become England's largest ever land acquisition for nature restoration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
If successful, it would become England's largest ever land acquisition for nature restoration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Luke Steele
Humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5C and must change course immediately, the secretary general of the UN has warned.
Quite a story by @jonathan-watts.bsky.social. Others have said same before, but big deal coming from Guterres.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Quite a story by @jonathan-watts.bsky.social. Others have said same before, but big deal coming from Guterres.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5C and must change course immediately, the secretary general of the UN has warned.
Quite a story by @jonathan-watts.bsky.social. Others have said same before, but big deal coming from Guterres.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Quite a story by @jonathan-watts.bsky.social. Others have said same before, but big deal coming from Guterres.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Luke Steele
Nice write up on the new IUCN Guidelines for Rewilding by Rewilding Europe... rewildingeurope.com/news/new-iuc...
New IUCN rewilding guidelines: a blueprint for global nature recovery | Rewilding Europe
Marking a major milestone for the global rewilding movement, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released a comprehensive set of rewilding guidelines.
rewildingeurope.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Nice write up on the new IUCN Guidelines for Rewilding by Rewilding Europe... rewildingeurope.com/news/new-iuc...
Reposted by Luke Steele
Israelis erupt in joy as last living hostages released after 738 days in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-erupt-in-joy-as-last-living-hostages-return-after-738-days-in-gaza/
Israelis erupt in joy as last living hostages released after 738 days in Gaza
As 20 captives begin return to Israel, tens of thousands gather at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv and around the country to watch live feeds of their release
www.timesofisrael.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Israelis erupt in joy as last living hostages released after 738 days in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-erupt-in-joy-as-last-living-hostages-return-after-738-days-in-gaza/
Reposted by Luke Steele
This is the official return of a native species lost for over a century.
October 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This is the official return of a native species lost for over a century.
Reposted by Luke Steele
Crowds gather to mark two years since the Hamas massacres and mourn deaths in Manchester
Grief and defiance in Trafalgar Square as thousands mark second anniversary of 7 October
Crowds gather to mark two years since the Hamas massacres and mourn deaths in Manchester
www.jewishnews.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Crowds gather to mark two years since the Hamas massacres and mourn deaths in Manchester
Reposted by Luke Steele
On Yom Kippur— the holiest day for Jews— a synagogue in Manchester became a crime scene.
Two murdered, more injured.
This is what happens when hate is normalised, when Jew-haters are allowed to roam free.
It has to stop.
Two murdered, more injured.
This is what happens when hate is normalised, when Jew-haters are allowed to roam free.
It has to stop.
October 2, 2025 at 5:49 PM
On Yom Kippur— the holiest day for Jews— a synagogue in Manchester became a crime scene.
Two murdered, more injured.
This is what happens when hate is normalised, when Jew-haters are allowed to roam free.
It has to stop.
Two murdered, more injured.
This is what happens when hate is normalised, when Jew-haters are allowed to roam free.
It has to stop.
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make."
— Farewell, Dr Jane Goodall. Your life’s work has been a profound source of inspiration and an enduring call to action for our natural world.
— Farewell, Dr Jane Goodall. Your life’s work has been a profound source of inspiration and an enduring call to action for our natural world.
October 1, 2025 at 8:59 PM
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make."
— Farewell, Dr Jane Goodall. Your life’s work has been a profound source of inspiration and an enduring call to action for our natural world.
— Farewell, Dr Jane Goodall. Your life’s work has been a profound source of inspiration and an enduring call to action for our natural world.
Reposted by Luke Steele
Our peatlands have massive potential in combating climate change, improving water quality and reversing biodiversity decline.
DAERA Minister @andrewmuirni.bsky.social has launched his Peatland Strategy to restore these precious habitats.
DAERA Minister @andrewmuirni.bsky.social has launched his Peatland Strategy to restore these precious habitats.
September 18, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Our peatlands have massive potential in combating climate change, improving water quality and reversing biodiversity decline.
DAERA Minister @andrewmuirni.bsky.social has launched his Peatland Strategy to restore these precious habitats.
DAERA Minister @andrewmuirni.bsky.social has launched his Peatland Strategy to restore these precious habitats.
Reposted by Luke Steele
In debate on new Community Right to Buy laws, great to see Labour MP @simonforstroud.bsky.social call for communities to be given chance to buy environmental assets, alongside social & economic ones - a point also made by Lib Dem MP @vikkislademp.bsky.social
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025... 1/
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025... 1/
September 3, 2025 at 8:43 AM
In debate on new Community Right to Buy laws, great to see Labour MP @simonforstroud.bsky.social call for communities to be given chance to buy environmental assets, alongside social & economic ones - a point also made by Lib Dem MP @vikkislademp.bsky.social
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025... 1/
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025... 1/
Few creatures are as emblematic of Britain as the water vole, famously immortalised as 'Ratty' in The Wind in the Willows.
It's heartening to see reintroduction of the species to areas where it has been lost, alongside the restoration of vital habitats.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's heartening to see reintroduction of the species to areas where it has been lost, alongside the restoration of vital habitats.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Lake District sees 75 water voles released into Ennerdale Valley
The water voles are living in temporary enclosures until after the bank holiday weekend.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Few creatures are as emblematic of Britain as the water vole, famously immortalised as 'Ratty' in The Wind in the Willows.
It's heartening to see reintroduction of the species to areas where it has been lost, alongside the restoration of vital habitats.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's heartening to see reintroduction of the species to areas where it has been lost, alongside the restoration of vital habitats.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Luke Steele
On August 23, 1989, about 2 million people from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania formed a 600 km long human chain that united all 3 countries to show the world their desire to leave the Soviet Union and Communism.
August 23, 2025 at 2:17 AM
On August 23, 1989, about 2 million people from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania formed a 600 km long human chain that united all 3 countries to show the world their desire to leave the Soviet Union and Communism.
Reposted by Luke Steele
England’s newest National Nature Reserve is declared: Stiperstones Landscape in Shropshire. 11th of 25 NNRs to be declared in the King’s Series, this one is over 1500 hectares of heath, woods, grassland & bog set atop dramatic geology. Thanks to all partners for this landmark moment.
August 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
England’s newest National Nature Reserve is declared: Stiperstones Landscape in Shropshire. 11th of 25 NNRs to be declared in the King’s Series, this one is over 1500 hectares of heath, woods, grassland & bog set atop dramatic geology. Thanks to all partners for this landmark moment.
This is not a complicated matter.
Beavers help restore balance to ecosystems, bolster our defences against flooding, and strengthen resilience against drought and wildfires.
To delay such action is not just shortsighted — it is profoundly irresponsible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Beavers help restore balance to ecosystems, bolster our defences against flooding, and strengthen resilience against drought and wildfires.
To delay such action is not just shortsighted — it is profoundly irresponsible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Scheme to release beavers into wild in England has stalled, say nature experts
Not a single licence granted since first beavers let loose in March, raising questions over application process
www.theguardian.com
August 4, 2025 at 7:49 AM
This is not a complicated matter.
Beavers help restore balance to ecosystems, bolster our defences against flooding, and strengthen resilience against drought and wildfires.
To delay such action is not just shortsighted — it is profoundly irresponsible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Beavers help restore balance to ecosystems, bolster our defences against flooding, and strengthen resilience against drought and wildfires.
To delay such action is not just shortsighted — it is profoundly irresponsible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Luke Steele
On this day, 17 years ago, we purchased the 10,000-acre Dundreggan estate - a former shooting estate transformed into a thriving rewilding landscape. 🌳
Discover more about Dundreggan 👉
Discover more about Dundreggan 👉
Dundreggan - a flagship rewilding estate | Trees for Life
Brimming with wildlife and part of the ancient hunting grounds of kings and lairds from the 14th Century onwards, Dundreggan has been rewilded by Trees for Life since we purchased it in 2008. Here we…
treesforlife.org.uk
August 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
On this day, 17 years ago, we purchased the 10,000-acre Dundreggan estate - a former shooting estate transformed into a thriving rewilding landscape. 🌳
Discover more about Dundreggan 👉
Discover more about Dundreggan 👉
Reposted by Luke Steele
Big wood pasture creation project we are working on with a brilliant landowner
Mixture of regen grazing and habitat restoration
Mixture of regen grazing and habitat restoration
June 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Big wood pasture creation project we are working on with a brilliant landowner
Mixture of regen grazing and habitat restoration
Mixture of regen grazing and habitat restoration
Drinking Turkish coffee, reading Jake Fiennes and lounging in the 28°C sun. ☕️ 📖 ☀️
A hat trick, by all accounts.
A hat trick, by all accounts.
July 12, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Drinking Turkish coffee, reading Jake Fiennes and lounging in the 28°C sun. ☕️ 📖 ☀️
A hat trick, by all accounts.
A hat trick, by all accounts.
Reposted by Luke Steele
After decades of campaigning, restrictions on toxic lead ammunition are finally on the way. 👏
A long-overdue move that will save tens of thousands of birds & countless other wildlife from lead poisoning.
Thank you to all who campaigned with us & to UK Gov for taking this step.
A long-overdue move that will save tens of thousands of birds & countless other wildlife from lead poisoning.
Thank you to all who campaigned with us & to UK Gov for taking this step.
July 10, 2025 at 9:39 AM
After decades of campaigning, restrictions on toxic lead ammunition are finally on the way. 👏
A long-overdue move that will save tens of thousands of birds & countless other wildlife from lead poisoning.
Thank you to all who campaigned with us & to UK Gov for taking this step.
A long-overdue move that will save tens of thousands of birds & countless other wildlife from lead poisoning.
Thank you to all who campaigned with us & to UK Gov for taking this step.