Countryfile Season 28 Episode 44 Plant Britain

Countryfile is a British TV show that has been airing for over 30 years and is dedicated to exploring the countryside and rural life. The show’s 28th season, episode 44 is titled “Plant Britain” and focuses on the efforts of various groups and individuals to restore and protect the UK’s native plants and flowers.

The episode begins with presenter Tom Heap visiting a community project in Plymouth that sees volunteers transforming an abandoned railway viaduct into a garden filled with native wildflowers. The project is part of a wider initiative called “Wild Plymouth”, which aims to boost biodiversity and encourage people to get involved in conservation efforts. Tom speaks to some of the volunteers who explain why they are passionate about protecting the UK’s natural heritage and the challenges they face in doing so.

Next up, presenter Ellie Harrison is in Wales where she meets with a group of botanists who are working to save one of the UK’s rarest plants – the Fen Orchid. Found in a handful of locations in Wales and England, the Fen Orchid is under threat from habitat loss and climate change. The botanists show Ellie how they are using innovative techniques, such as drone mapping, to track the plant’s distribution and monitor its health. They also explain how they are engaging with local landowners and farmers to protect areas where the orchid grows.

Meanwhile, presenter Adam Henson is in the Cotswolds where he meets a farmer who is passionate about using sustainable farming methods to protect the countryside. The farmer explains how he has changed his practices to benefit wildlife and the environment, including planting more hedges and wildflower margins, and using fewer pesticides and fertilisers. Adam also meets with a botanist who is studying the impact of these changes on the plants and flowers that grow on the farm.

Later in the episode, Tom Heap visits London where he meets with the team behind the “Plantlife” charity. The charity is dedicated to protecting wildflowers and their habitats across the UK and Tom learns about their latest campaign – “No Mow May”. The campaign encourages people to leave their lawns uncut for the month of May to allow wildflowers to grow and provide vital food and shelter for bees and other insects. Tom also speaks with a member of the public who has taken part in the campaign and is delighted with the results in her garden.

Finally, presenter Anita Rani is in Scotland where she meets a group of volunteers who are working to restore a peat bog – one of the UK’s most threatened habitats. Peat bogs are vital for storing carbon and providing a home to a range of rare plants and animals, but they have been damaged by centuries of human activity such as drainage for agriculture. The volunteers show Anita how they are blocking old drainage channels and encouraging the growth of sphagnum moss – a key species for peat bog health.

Overall, “Plant Britain” is an informative and inspiring episode that shows the importance of protecting and restoring the UK’s native plants and flowers. The show highlights a range of innovative initiatives and dedicated individuals who are working hard to ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and biodiversity of the British countryside.