The Soil to Soul Nature Reset: News
Ecosystem collapse recognised as a critical national security issue by UK government
Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security
The UK Government has just released a report that, if taken seriously, should transform how we think about climate, nature and security. 'Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security' is an official national security assessment that applies the same analytical tools used for high-impact security threats - structured uncertainty judgements, confidence levels, and “reasonable worst-case” planning - to the ecological crisis. Its conclusions align closely with the evidence presented at the recent National Emergency Briefing and with the World Economic Forum's latest Global Risks Report.
Its main conclusion is stark: global ecosystem degradation and collapse pose a serious threat to UK food security, economic stability and international security.
In other words, the UK state is now acknowledging that biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are not marginal environmental concerns. They are systemic risks at the foundations of our safety and prosperity.
This is precisely the picture set out at the recent National Emergency Briefing on climate and nature at Westminster Central Hall, where security, health and climate experts – including NbSI Director Professor Nathalie Seddon – briefed parliamentarians, officials and the public on the converging risks from climate breakdown and nature loss.
Written: 24 January 2026
Knepp conservationists mobilise the nation in a movement to develop climate resilience by ‘Wilding Gardens’
Wilding Gardens
Renowned garden designers and horticulturists James Hitchmough, Adam Hunt, Lulu Urquhart, Charlie Harpur and Tom Stuart-Smith have joined forces with rewilding champions Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell alongside The University of Manchester to host the Wilding Gardens Conference.
Wilding Gardens bought together some of the most inspiring gardeners and ecologists, practitioners and thinkers to show how we can garden to save wildlife and resources, create resilience and combat climate change. It’s a step beyond ‘nature-friendly’ gardening – a vision that can create wilder, more dynamic green spaces in our towns and cities and our own backyards, while at the same time providing places of beauty and joy.
“The inaugural Wilding Gardens conference has been a brilliant event - excellent, funny and inspiring speakers, great audience filled with gardeners, social scientists and landscape designers, much shared wisdom and learning. The strong message here is that wild gardening is a political act, a way for the community to combat climate and mental health issues. We must let nature lead and we can be ecosystem engineers. A culture shift needs to, and is happening. We must all be brave and disruptive gardeners.”
Lara Cowan, Founder The Botanic Shed.
“Wilding Gardens is a conference for anyone with a garden, schoolyard, balcony or window box; with influence over a city park, a roadside verge, an orchard or a churchyard in the country. It’s a conference of evidence, ideas and collaboration – and, above all, hope.”
Craig Bennett, CEO The Wildlife Trusts, SpeakerWritten: 17 January 2026
Irish Visionary Spirit, Manchán Magan was honoured in song at the Oxford Real Farming Conference this month
Listening to The Land
Folk singer, songwriter and organic farmer, Ted Waters wrote and dedicated a song to the late Irish Visionary Spirit, Writer, Broadcaster and Documentary Maker, Manchán Magan at the Listening to The Land Closing Ceremony at the Oxford Real Farming Conference.
“Manchán was a truly inspirational author, journalist, broadcaster and documentary maker championing the Irish language, and our sacred connection to the land and nature, shining a light into ancient myths and histories of the landscape and Irish cultural heritage. He very sadly died at the spritely age of 55 in October 2025. He has left an incredible legacy of work, in so many different media, but his jovial sprit and wit, and dedication to this work will be deeply missed. Thank you Manchan for all you created and the light you shone on the beauty and magic of the world.
Listening To The Land explores how building a reciprocal relationship with nature can support radical food systems and land guardianship transformation. It is part of the @Oxfordrealfarmingconference organised by the fantastic @realfarmingtrust.”
Ted Waters www.tedwaters.uk
Written: 15 January 2026
The Healing Power of Nature: The Princess of Wales Marks Her Birthday with a Message of Recovery, Reflection and Renewal
Mother Nature: Winter
Marking the 44th Birthday of The Princess of Wales
The Princess of Wales has shared the final film in her Mother Nature series, and the imagery and words perfectly echo our alignment with and respect for nature. The film capture our shared yearning for connection with the great natural biological rhythms of life and the powerful, regenerative, and restorative role of landscapes on the human body and spirit.
Catherine, Princess of Wales marked her 44th birthday by sharing a deeply personal and poetic message on the healing power of nature. Released by Kensington Palace, the short film concludes her four-part Mother Nature video series, which has followed the changing seasons across the UK. It is a beautiful ode to and reflection on the role of the natural world in her own recovery following cancer treatment.
The language in this precious series is gentle and almost spiritual, speaking of rivers within us flowing freely, fears being washed away, and the importance of coming to peace with our tears. It is a reminder of the Lao Tzu quote that “nature never hurries but everything is accomplished, and that the rhythms of the natural world can help us reconnect with ourselves in profound ways.
Written: 13 January 2026
Botanic Shed Founder, Lara Cowan is nominated for the
ITV Women of the Year Awards 2025
Horticultural Hub Owner Honoured by ITV Women of the Year Awards
Feature in Newbury Weekly News. Ocotber 2025
Botanic Shed are incredibly proud to share that our Founder , Lara Cowan has been recognised at this week’s 2025 ITV Women of the Year Awards. “I was honoured and humbled to receive a nomination for my work in advocating for the role nature plays in good mental and societal health.”
The winners of the awards were;
Jaz Rabadia MBE - Pioneering Award
Louisa Mitchell MBE of All Child - Education Award
Dr Rageshri Dhaiyawan - Health Equity Award
Jane Byam Shaw of The Felix Project - Game Changer Award
Ebony Rainford Brent MBE - Women in Sport Innovation Award
Sarah Harrison - Lorraine Trailblazer Award“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to raise awareness of The Botanic Shed - School of Nature's work and the ongoing, urgent need for support and opportunities for adults and young people to connect with the power of nature therapy through gardening and deepening a connection with nature.”
Written: 20th October 2025
Farming Monthly National covers Botanic Shed’s work
Rewilding Wellness Through the Garden Gate
Feature in Farming Monthly National.
By Olivia Shave, Founder of Ecoewe, July 2025.
“At the recent Regenerative Ark Summit, held among the stone barns and wildflower meadows of rural Gloucestershire, I had the good fortune to meet Lara Cowan, a woman whose presence felt as steady as the oaks that bordered the gathering. We shared a panel on Land, Wellness and the Future of Rural Stewardship, and it was there, listening to her speak, that I was introduced to the gentle revolution she leads through her work at The Botanic Shed.
Where Gardening Becomes Ceremony
The Botanic Shed is not your typical garden consultancy. Based in Oxfordshire and reaching across the home counties, Lara’s work bridges horticulture with something older, something rooted in ritual, deep listening, and a reverence for what she calls “the more-than-human world.”
Her approach weaves together RHS-level horticultural knowledge with herbalism, geomancy (yes, earth energy work), and a strong thread of spiritual ecology. Her gardens are not merely planted, but co-created with place, guided by the land’s rhythms and stories.
At the Summit, Lara said something that stayed with me:
“The land doesn’t just feed us, it reflects us. And if we care for it well, it has the power to heal us, too.”
That is the essence of her practice. Gardening, here, becomes more than design; it becomes devotion.
Posted: 3rd September 2025
#1 flower-filled, woodland hosting UK's coolest book festival.
Gold medal winner at Chelsea Flower Show Jane Owen on rewilding at Well Read.
Interview with Financial Times columnist Jane Owen.
By Lara Cowan Founder of Botanic Shed, May 2025.
Wasing Estate launched the coolest literary festival in the UK's cultural calendar in 2025 - with a major leaning toward nature restoration and connection. It’s called Well Read and on David Attenborough's 99th birthday (8th May 2025) Lara Cowan interviewed Jane Owen who is moderating a panel hosting a brilliant debate about rewilding.
The literary festival will feature some of the brightest minds and influential voices across a range of topics including nature writing, food, ecology, and wellness. Multi-award-winning writer, broadcaster, and food activist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall kicks things off on the main stage with a Sunday Papers Review, moderated by Financial Times Foreign Editor Alec Russell. Later in the day, legendary broadcaster Clare Balding CBE takes to the stage to share her thoughts on human connection to animals and the natural world. Don’t mind us already at our seats. Talks take place across both days (Sun and Mon) on either the Main Stage or the Lake Stage. The list of names set to feature is longer than Adrian Brody’s Oscars speech, but to name a few, Lucinda Miller, Satish Kumar, Lucy Jones, and Poppy Okotcha will all be dropping by. Jane is thrilled to be moderating a panel hosting a brilliant debate about rewilding. "I’m moderating it and I’ve been riffling through all the myriad meanings of rewilding. It can be huge - from the King’s work on rivers and woodland on his estates to my own back yard of an acre. When we arrived here in Oxford six years ago we introduced a minimal mowing regime, installed a pond and stopped pesticide and herbicide use. The rewards include dragoons of dragonflies, butterflies, hoverflies, bats, birds from nuthatches to a nightingale - and a single common spotted orchid."
Posted: 8th May 2025