The year began with a stark reminder of the importance of nature and the role it plays in tackling the climate crisis, as we faced not one but three named storms, a significant cold spell, all being capped off by a new UK daily maximum temperature record for January.

In a month that saw Europe’s largest living wall reach practical completion, Defra also released its new biodiversity net gain metric tool ahead of the legislation’s rollout the following month.

Results also came out for the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey, revealing that just 12% of the industry is aged between 25-34, backing up Lantra’s talk before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee, in which the land-based training organisation said apprenticeships were being under-utilised and in need of reform.

Alan Sargent and Gareth Wilson announced their Paving in Homes & Gardens: An A-Z of Paving & Associated Works; which launched later in the year at Brinsbury College. 

The good news kept coming, with Green-tech celebrating 30 years of recognised work within the landscaping industry, while Palmer Nurseries secured an investment from ex-Green-tech founders, Richard and Rachel Kay. 

In other news

We launched our Pro Landscaper Business Awards for 2024 (entries for 2025 are now open), while businesses across the industry discussed the importance of investing in their people, all within our Business Leadership Special. 

We also caught up with 2015 30 Under 30 winner, Ryan Mills and we heard from the director of building at Nurture, Gemma Jerome.