Sheffield wildlife campaigners brought this year’s Hen Harrier Day to Devonshire Green to raise awareness of illegal persecution that has left the bird an endangered species. According to Natural England, 2018 has been the most successful season in a decade, with 9 breeding pairs, but far short of the 300 pairs the UK could host. Baillor Jalloh reports for Shefield Live!
Local volunteers put their wellies on to help clean up and maintain the Ochre Dyke stream in Crystal Peaks as part of an environmental conservation and improvement project. The work is coordinated by the River Stewardship Company, a Sheffield-based social enterprise working to maintain Sheffield’s waterways for people and wildlife. Sheffield Live reporter Nick Coleman spoke to site supervisor Jim Randall.
Residents from the village of Letwell, Rotherham have expressed their concern about possible plans for fracking on local land. Landowners in the conservation village have been approached by agents working for INEOS company, seeking permission to put seismic testing equipment on private land, a precursor to fracking. Letwell Parish Council have said they were not given prior notice that these approaches were to be made. Some residents have said that they felt threatened and intimidated by these visits, with one resident described the experience as “bullying”. Residents provided Sheffield Live! with footage where they expressed their concerns to former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett. They have asked that their names not to be included in this footage.