Growing crops that are wildlife friendly is more profitable than growing wheat, a new study had found.

The RSPB and rural property advisers Smiths Gore, have joined forces in order to ensure that farmers and the wildlife both get a better deal. They have found that it could be profitable and “the results show growing seed crops for birds or nectar crops for insects makes sound financial sense for farmers”, as mentioned on the RSPB website.

So not only is this an environmentally viable and profitable idea, but is also keeps farmers livelihoods’ going: “There are many birds and other wild animals which depend on farmland, so it’s essential that agriculture remains a financially viable business. We want to work with farmers to help protect wildlife habitats on their land, but we definitely don’t want them to go bankrupt in the process” http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-218463

RSPB farm manager Chris Bingley said the two companies need to sure that it is financially viable: “There are many birds and other wild animals which depend on farmland, so it’s essential that agriculture remains a financially viable business. We want to work with farmers to help protect wildlife habitats on their land, but we definitely don’t want them to go bankrupt in the process.” http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-218463

The two institutions will present a series of leaflets in for farmers in at Cereals 09, in Cambridgeshire, on June 10^th and 11^th, which is the biggest agricultural show in the UK for arable farmers.

Simon Blandford , who is Head of Farm Management at Smiths Gore, commented on the amalgamation saying: “With an ever increasing need for farm businesses to watch the bottom line, it is reassuring that by doing the right thing for wildlife, farmers can make a profit – it’s a true win-win for farmers and the environment.” http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-218463#

The unusual birds have been making the most of the warm weather conditions over the past few days in West Bromwich.

The birds are getting comfortable at the RSPB Nature reserve in Sandwell Valley. The and red-ring necked parakeets are originally from Africa and Asia, however the recent warm weather has allowed them to live at the reserve comfortably.

Louise Pedersen, who is from the RSPB in Sandwell Valley, told the Express & Star: “They are regular visitors to the bird feeding station outside the visitor centre at our Sandwell Valley nature reserve, and I guess you can say that they add a whiff of tropical glamour to the valley”.

The birds will be a great attraction to the Sandwell Valley in West Bromwich, as the Summer approaches, it is hoped that the unusual visitors will attract more tourists to the nature reserve.

Commenting on the striking birds Ms Pedersen added: “I don’t think there’s actually any evidence that the birds in the Sandwell Valley breed here, and at the moment they don’t appear to be posing any threats to our native birds in the West Midlands.”

The parakeet birds can be seen at Sandwell Valley, in West Bromwich, the RSPB sanctuary is also free of charge, all making for a great family day out.

If you do require any further information about the RSPB sanctuary you can contact the Sandwell Valley via email on sandwellvalley@rspb.org.uk or you can call them directly at 0121 357 7395.

There are concerns that the fast food chain, Big Johns, will be creating more litter in the local area as they have their late night licence granted.

Big Johns, which is part of a chain and has many shops in the West Midlands, has had their late night licence granted by Sandwell Council, which means they can now stay open until 5am.

Concerned about the litter that would gather, local resident Comla Kaur, 44, said: “There’s already Big Johns boxes on the floor, so with it being open until 5am, that’s going to just make it worse. When I walk round, their boxes and bags are all over the place, they should at least make an effort to tidy up the mess.”

Local residents are concerned that the late extended opening hours will attract much unwanted litter. The local residents are concerned that with the late opening, that people will just throw their rubbish on the floor, which will in turn create more litter and possibly even attract rodents.

Defending their reasons for the late opening, Big Johns owner Bob Saddique, explained to the Express & Star, his reasons for applying for the late night licence: “There’s a queue of cars building up outside when we close so we thought we would put an application in to get it opened.”

In August, the fast food chain, will announce a £2million investment in more than 15 new outlets in Dudley, Walsall, Wednesbury and Wolverhampton. Big Johns are already trading until 5am at their Lawley Middleway branch in Birmingham.

The leaflet will contain a map of the scenic walking routes and Sandwell Valley Trails Group is going to officially launch the publication on the Thursday18^th June 2009. Its aim is to get people walking in the beautiful park and enjoying the ‘green’ walks.

The Sandwell Valley Trails leaflet will be the “first ever comprehensive leaflet showing access routes across the Country Park.”

http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/parks-countryside-and-allotments/sandwell-valley/sandwell-valley-events/

The event which will take place on Thursday 18^th June 2009, between 2:30pm and 4:30 pm, will be officially opened by local celebrity and runner, Blind Dave Heeley.

The free leaflet has been partly funded by the Primary Care Trust, with its aim to get people to be ‘green’ and get people up and walking and enjoying what the park has to offer.

The brand new publication contains an official map of the Sandwell Valley Park Farm and provides visitors with the opportunity to visit the park, being guided by an official map, without the worry of getting lost.

John Blyth organised the leaflets and commented: “In total 10, 000 leaflets have been published, 3,000 in Birmingham and 7,000 in Sandwell, the leaflets are completely free of charge. The aim of the leaflet is to show what Sandwell Park has to offer, that it can be used by different user groups like walkers, cyclists, or for people to ride their horse”.

The leaflets are available from the Forge Mill Farm, the Park Farm and The Public, all in West Bromwich.

If you would like any more information regarding the launch of the Sandwell Valley Trails leaflet, then you can contact John Blyth on 07895628272 or via e-mail at jvblyth@talktalk.net

If you wish to visit Sandwell Park, then you can look at this map, to help you find your way!

Birmingham City Council have organised a scheme to get rid of big household items.

There is a new scheme called Bulky Waste Collections, which allows you to have any unwanted and large household items, collected from your house completely free of charge.

The Council do urge people to think about whether their items could be re-used, if so, rather than being collected, they could be donated to places like the Ladywood Furniture Project or Community Transport.

As explained by Birmingham City Council, “Bulky waste collections are free for most large items and can be arranged on request. Collections will normally be carried out within 10 days of your request and you will be informed when you make the booking when the crew will be calling.”  www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=6611&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=13006

The items can be collected from your house include: chairs, tables, bedroom furniture, fridges, freezers and many more household items.

If you require any further information, or would like the team from Bulky Waste Collections, to come to your house, you can call 0121 303 1112 or use the Bulky Waste Online Form

More and more businesses are using computers and the internet to promote their business.

As newspapers and television turn online, so are businesses, as it may be a cheaper way to find more customers and promote their business.

Using online methods such as websites, and social network sites, may also be a ‘greener’ way of advertising a business. There isn’t a need for paper, printers, envelopes and stamps to send off to customers.

Jacyln, a partner of magazine and marketing firm, Today’s Man Magazine, said: “I have generated a pleasing response (totally unexpected) from local professionals with similar networking intentions to get their business out there and growing.”

Social networking websites may be useful ways of tracking down and locating old friends, but many are using it to make contacts and locate forgotten colleagues.

Freelance journalist, Dorothy Lepkowska-Hudson, Buckinghamshire, commented on the uses of social networking websites for work use: “I tracked down a contact I needed to help me with a feature, who luckily just happened to be on Facebook and on-line when I contacted him. I am also on a Yahoogroups group called MediaWomenUK which is an invaluable source of information, inspiration and mutual support.”

http://sanjdass.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/media/?preview=true&preview_id=11&preview_nonce=c3887543b9

Although some sites may take a while to get to grips with, Dorothy said: “It’s just a case of sussing out how to use them to reap the maximum benefit.”

Advice and information on e-marketing and promoting your business online can be found at Business Link.

Currently, classes on recycling are not being built into the school timetable. However annoyed parents feel as though recycling classes should be made compulsory.

Children are taught about Maths and English, but not taught about the skills of living a ‘green lifestyle’, which would inevitably provide them with skills for the rest of their life.

Raj, 37, of Hill Top, West Bromwich, whos is an office worker and parent of three, was concerned that these life skills should be taught to youngsters,

“The government should build some sort of classes into the curriculum, so that kids can actually learn about how to recycle, which they can come home and tell us.”

According to parents the issue should be tackled in a fun and light hearted way, in order to engage pupils with issues. Local councils have got schemes currently in place that encourage recycling in neighbourhoods, but not in schools. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council said:

“The council is committed to raising awareness of reducing, reusing and recycling, encouraging residents to take positive action by recycling and reducing waste where they can. ” (http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/rubbish–waste-and-recycling/recycling/education-on-recycling/)

Stomp turns everyday objects into musical instruments. Using sweeping brushes, bins, bin lids, the most unusual household items and turns them into a musical extravaganza.

Is this being green? It’s not making new instruments, but making the most of and utilising, items from around your house. It’s about keeping clean and a good visual way of getting youngsters interested in green issues. Do you think it’s a good idea, for these sort of performances to be introduced to schools, to make children more aware of environmental issues.