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Welcome to our new issue, which heralds the first signs of spring and the opportunity to get out and about as the countryside wakes up and bursts into life.

As we all become increasingly aware of our changing climate and the importance of biodiversity, it’s reassuring to hear there is scientific research ongoing.

Kate Chapman caught up with passionate environmentalist Ed Crowther, who is on a mission to raise awareness of the importance of encouraging more wildflower meadows (see page 30).

Ed, who launched My Square Metre three years ago, uses a carbon calculator and wildflower planting to help people offset their carbon usage, while also focussing on planting up previous brownfield sites. He also encourages offsetting the carbon footprint of phones, emails, social media, streaming and other digital services.

He says: “Getting more people involved, understanding and enjoying the natural world around us, is a vital step in safeguarding and restoring nature.”

Meanwhile, Matt Limb OBE takes a look at the role that our rural communities can play in conservation planning and explains why he believes the countryman – including farmers, gamekeepers, landowners and all those whose lives and livelihoods are inherently connected to the countryside – are best placed to help guide environmental planning (p.100).

Matt writes: “By combining local knowledge with global thinking and grounding it in scientific research, we can create solutions that benefit people locally and the planet. But this will only happen if we start listening to the countryman and valuing their expertise.”

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a nostalgic, entertaining night out, make a date on 12th March with singer Gareth Gates, who returns to the stage at Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal with his new show celebrating the music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (p.86).

I enjoyed chatting to Gareth recently about his stellar career, which has remained on a steady trajectory since those heady Pop Idol days in the early 2000s, and was struck by his dedication to performing: “The harder you work, the more chance you have at succeeding in this industry,” he explained.

However you’re planning to spend your time, have a wonderful month!