WHAT’S ON – MARCH 2025
World Wildlife Day (March 3)
World Wildlife Day celebrates wild animals and plants. This year, the focus is on how to finance wildlife conservation more effectively and sustainably. The theme is ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet’.
International Women’s Day (March 8)
International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900s. It encourages worldwide engagement and collective action to advance women’s equality.
According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity will not be achieved until 2158, roughly five generations from now.
The theme for 2025 is ‘Accelerate Action’. The campaign calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases women face, both personally and professionally.
Spring Equinox (March 20)
BRITISH SEASONS
Spring: Two months
Summer: Eight minutes
Autumn: Three weeks
Winter: Seven years
This breakdown of the seasons from Very British Problems sounds about right, but by March 20, we have inched our way out of winter and can celebrate the first day of astronomical spring.
> Read an extract from Witch’s Forest by Sandra Lawrence: “Nature is at her busiest at the spring equinox, as plants, animals and humans race to utilise the light and warmth.”
International Day of Forests (March 21)
This annual event celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Supporters are encouraged to organise or join forest-friendly events like tree plantings and art exhibitions. This year’s theme is ‘Forests and Foods’, highlighting the crucial roles of forests in food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
> Read about Britain’s endangered rainforests: Dripping with moisture and shrouded in mists, these mysterious habitats are home to rare mosses, lichens, fungi and wildlife.
Earth Hour (March 22)
Each year, millions of people across the globe switch off non-essential lights for one hour to show support for nature and climate. Earth Hour, which is organised by WWF, is “a time for reflection on our ever-lasting impact on the planet and how we can make a difference.”
NEW BOOKS
Renaturing: Small Ways to Wild the World by James Canton
No matter how much space we have available to us as individuals, we can all do something to actively help nature and enhance biodiversity. This is the rallying call of James Canton, who transformed an abandoned grassy paddock into a species-rich, complex ecosystem that hums with life. Published by Canongate on March 13 (£18.99).
The Pickle Jar: Recipes for Making and Using Pickles and Ferments by Nick Vadasz
This colourful guide to making your own pickles and ferments is packed full of flavourful recipes, from classics such as sauerkraut and kimchi to originals such as fermented chilli honey. In part two, there are more than 50 recipes that incorporate ferments and pickles, offering easy and inspiring ways to add fermented foods to your daily cooking. Published by Hamlyn, an imprint of Octopus Books, on March 27 (£20).
- Lead picture credit: Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash
