The Craig Bennett, brilliant CEO of The Wildlife Trusts, now collectively one of the world’s largest conservation organisation, describing their strategy refresh. Visionary and exciting about delivering evidence-based nature recovery in a volatile world. They are really delivering effective change.

Going to an art exhibition this afternoon with a poet so wore these socks. Seen so many wonderful Hockney exhibitions and artwork. Am in awe of his originality and questing mind. RIP

Merlin is terrific but seems to consistently (twice in last week) identify the chiffchaff off-the-nest call for redstart.

This is such an important and engaging book (including an excellent chapter on our work on evidence-based conservation). Makes a completely compelling case for learning what is effective and then doing what we know works and not doing what we know doesn’t work.

Thoughtful and impressive talk from Charles Meshack, describing lessons from Tanzanian forests. SCCS student conference.

Wonderful launch of Rewilding Expertise Centre based in Wageningen.

This is such an excellent book full of great tips. Should be used widely.

At end of excellent CCI meeting about future plans we remembered Jane Goodall (who did her PhD in Zoology). Instead of a minute silence we opted for a minute noise - full of clapping and hooting. Much more suitable!

Answers to questions about the nerdy video about albedo. 12.5 Abbey Road tracks titles are included (“I want you” is only half). The order is reversed as I (John) am the only one who owns a white suit. Here is us doing our single take from #TheBeatles Abbey Road Studios webcam

At CCI coffee and cake celebrating a year of having the wonderful Melissa Leach as Executive director.

My daughter, Tessa, sent me this. I suggested it might be a Tubenose, such as an albatross, but unlikely as far from the sea. Jonathan Spencer suggested a Passenger Pigeon, which is silly as they are extinct. Any better ideas?

World Premier of Robert MacFarlane’s book Is a River Alive. His words echoing round Ely Cathedral as he discusses the history and meaning of rivers.

Tony Juniper talking about latest, extremely important, book at joint Cambridge Conservation Initiative/Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership seminar.

Sarobidy Rakotonarivo (University of Antananarivo) giving excellent Georgina Mace Plenary Lecture at Student Conference for Conservation Science.

Julia Jones opening the 24th Student Conference in Conservation Science. Over four thousand students have attended, including Julia who took part in the first one as a student. Delighted to be here with a room full of dynamic early career conservationists.

Much enjoyed giving lecture at Ministry of Justice about weighing evidence. Also on using AI to collate evidence.

What happened to the card in the YouTube representing the shallow seas (that disappear during ice ages) and the deep sea of Wallace’s line? Took them home and Tessa produced this 30 minutes later. Profile picture?

Andrew Kitchener, chair of PTES, describing the amazing work done by the 150 PTES internship at their meeting to celebrate 25 years of the programme.

British Ecological Society launch of strategy to packed room in parliament. Here president Bridget Emmett describes the plan.

We worked hard to make the Cambridge Conservation Initiative an effective and enjoyable work place. Thursday isn’t the busiest day but still at least 236 left the David Attenborough Building during today’s fire alarm. Think this is so important especially for early careers people.

Thanks to all for support. Subscribe to see next videos: Why coral reefs are productive (with Isabelle Côté), When might we believe unreplicated experiments? Wallace's line - explained with Wallace's specimens (Daniel Field), Why plough nature reserves? youtube.com/@bill_sutherland

Mark Nason outlining how CIEEM is ensuring that evidence will be embedded into the practice of consultants through guidance, competency frameworks, learning, professional development, advocacy and perhaps a prize for good practice. A visionary revolution.

Been asked where HMS Beagle rests. Is about 300m East of Eastend on River Roach, Essex. Its final use was a coastguard lookout.

Is rather Mediterranean at Southend Pier today.

Good to visit bubbling streams and wooded vales in Northumberland to remind me of my childhood.

Love Tiago de Zoeten’s figure on how Mossy Earth view evidence and testing. Most conservation is done without looking at the evidence or carrying out a test. This is the Guessing strategy.

Here is Pollard’s original study of tree diversity and hedge age - determined from historical studies. From New Naturalist Hedges.

Sortee is such an interesting organisation making a real difference to open science https://www.sortee.org/

Excellent discussions between ⁦@_BTO⁩ and RSPB senior staff and trustees about mutual interests and opportunities.