27 Comments

I have been a ecological farmer for 50 years, fitting food production efficiently produced with the whole farm being a nature reserve. As you know farming for human food production is the greatest threat to planet earth in the long term, therefore it is crucial that people understand this and develop alternative agriculture as a MUST. I will write an article about this if you like?

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I love reading the positive environmental stories as these are so uplifting amidst the daily gloom. Two recent ones that spring to mind are the stories about seaweed harvesting and about using horses and ploughs last week. As just a member of the public I'd like to see occasional articles on how the public can become involved in helping preserve our beautiful planet. I like to read about research collaboration with colleagues abroad (even more important post Brexit) but above all I'd like to say thank you for setting up Inkcap. I know what it takes to start one's own business. Inkcap a joy to read. Keep going! It's all worth it!

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Since becoming a subscriber quite recently, I've started really looking forward to the weekly roundup, as well as the longer articles. And while many of us are probably focussed on specific aspects of and approaches to nature, conservation, volunteering, etc, I would imagine that most of us actually have interests across a wider spectrum than those we specifically spend our time on. For example, although I'm involved with a rewilding "network" and very keen on natural ecological process, I am just as big a fan of nature friendly farming, gardening for wildlife, and hearing about access to nature, outdoor activities connected with nature, and how people from a range of backgrounds and circumstances are engaged, etc. I think it's hard to suggest any areas for improvement, although I do like to hear from landowners making improvements for nature across a range of scales and approaches, and I think there is plenty of scope for academics to write abridged versions of their research papers in laypersons' terms.

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I think Inkcap is excellent .I can't think really how it could be improved. I love it, I am a retired teacher but I am now a volunteer with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's Short-haired Bumblebee Reintroduction Project. I am mostly interested in the relationship between land use, and loss of habit, and insect and bird abundance and diversity (I also do some voluntary surveying for the BTO). I am very interested in how we widen engagement in activism on land and climate change, and promoting individual pro-environmental behaviours. I think there are complex issues regarding income and class; it is much more difficult to make pro-environmental behaviour choices if you are on a low income; and a lot of environmental activism predominantly engages middle class people (like me!!!). I think it might be interesting to see some articles on widening participation in environmental engagement in terms of class and income. A little suggestion, if you provide an option on your paid subscriptions to give any amount you can afford, you may find that people who are free subscribers at the moment, but who can;t afford £5 a month, may subscribe a few pounds a month, and that may increase your income from subscriptions. Keep up the excellent work I have recommended Inkcap to many people.

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Hi Sophie. I am not a journalist but your articles and news items help me to keep up to date with things I hold dear and I pass on information to contacts at local wildlife organisations, where appropriate. Inkcap is a success; due to your success with an idea that found a ready outlet and appreciative audience so please don't alter it too much, too soon. Young people's access to the nature and the outdoors is an area to monitor further and the post pandemic impact on outdoor facilities and residential centres like Holt Hall here in Norfolk, which has recently closed its doors to schools. Meantime, be proud, Sophie, be very proud as Inkcap is just great.

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So pleased to have found Inkcap.... thank you, and yes 2 emails a week is max. I've so enjoyed the longer pieces and it is heartening to read some positive news amid the chaos of these times. I would love more on marine/fishing, re-wilding especially in Scotland where I have just moved to. Also, with COP in November this year we need to somehow put pressure on the Government and political bodies to make real changes with clear talking, clear thinking.. looking at the long term not short term, political convenience. Also, nature and mental health is key right now - the link between being out in nature, getting our hands dirty, working with plants and the huge benefit to our immune system that that brings. I might be getting off subject here - I am passionate about natural health! I've also passed your articles on. Thanks so much for all you do.

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Hi Sophie, I enjoy the articles which broaden one's appreciation of nature/ environment by explaining observations through different perspectives.

I work in a UK children's hospital and we would love to provide some of our patients' perspectives to help broaden people's understanding of how nature is viewed.

You may wish to contact your local hospital (The Great North Children's Hospital) or else contact my employer, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

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Congratulations, you have developed an excellent website that is informative and unbiased. Your synopsis of the journalism is objective and clear. Presently, many environmental issues are fraught with frustrations and stupidity but I would caution against the potential for getting drawn into campaigning (not that you have!). Inkcap is what we need - a superb independent summary of what is being said and written.

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Hi Sophie, Inkcap is the exact type of platform I've been looking for since taking a more in-depth interest in environmental matters. I really look forward to the weekly round-up of articles, often of stories I'd never normally come across online. Keep up the good work and I hope it goes from strength to strength!

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Love it all.

The feature pieces on Wednesdays have all made some really brain awakening reading, but what I value most is Friday's variety of links guiding me to other articles that I would never have known about, and they in themselves lead on to even further new stories, people and writing. It's all a bit like some "Magical Mystery Tour" that wends its ever wider way on a journey that can last for as long as it takes.

Thank you.

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Hello Sophie - I think you are doing a great job with Inkcap and salute your getting up to 5000 subscribers. That's quite a milestone. The content is rich and I appreciate the attention you give to presentation and design standards which make it clear (and a pleasure) to read. Good luck with getting to 10000 subscribers - I don't think it will take long.

I think it would be great if in time you could package up a version of the content (but somewhat less of it) ('Inkcap Lite') for a more general / mainstream audience. As well as being invaluable for established professionals/campaigners/activists/journalists in the field, it could become a weekly resource for the many, many (millions?) of people who are taking a greater interest in environmental matters and effectively need an induction to the field.

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I find the Inkcap weekly digests very useful and informative. I’ve also really enjoyed the features, particularly the ones on farming with horses, lost footpaths and wild boar in the Forest of Dean. So thank you for what you are doing.

In terms of future areas to cover, it might be interesting to look at case studies of people involved in local grassroots campaigning and the proposed formation of a national umbrella group to bring them together.

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Hi Sophie, I just wanted to say I love Inkcap. I’m a horticultural journalist but one day I’d like to diversify my expertise into ecology and nature writing. I find the window you open onto that world invaluable from both a personal and professional viewpoint. Thank you!

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Hi Sophie, Firstly, want to say how much I appreciate the work you put into this. It wouldn't have grown like it has were it not for that and the absolutely fantastic quality of content. I agree with what others have said about having 2 emails a week and not going above that too much.

I'd love to see more about marine and freshwater stories in the in-depth section - I'm a journalist myself, currently studying for shortcoming NCTJ L5 Diploma exams, and been reading lately about advent of marine plans and MMO because of that. I've also read a lot about the UK's marine parks being called 'paper parks' because they're viewed as not really stopping enough damaging fishing practices. I'd love to know more. Likewise, understanding Brexit's impact on environmental regulations appeals to me.

On elements you already cover, I've really enjoyed the rewilding stories and was also a fan of the what Somerset sounded like thousands of years ago article.

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Very quickly. Really like the balance you have Sophie. An absolutely useful resource both for my teaching and for me. I like the two emails a week structure but would not want more or for them to be longer as its crucial that it remains accessible for us. I'm glad I subscribe too as you definitely merit support! Cheers, Keith

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Hi, I've enjoyed the mix so far in the weekly articles. The Friday digest often alerts me to things I had no idea were going on, and the short summaries let me decide whether that's all I need to know or if I should follow the link and read on. I like the fact it's not all countryside based and there's room for urban nature. Thanks for your efforts, long may they continue.

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