Latest news with #AmyCooper
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Yorkshire's best wildflower meadows to visit this summer
Amy Cooper of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust suggests Yorkshire's best wildflower meadows to visit this summer JULY is the peak of summertime glory. Warm summer days are punctuated by the hum of insects; our butterflies and moths fluttering their way through our grassy green spaces and bees buzzing in search of nectar. Birds dance their way through gloriously blue skies, and many of our mammals emerge to bask in the summer sun. Yorkshire's meadows and grasslands come alive in summer too. Orchids burst into being in a riot of sculptural colour, bellflowers, plantain and field scabious turn their faces to the skies, and globeflowers spread out across fields in a sunny spectacle. Hoards of butterflies and moths flutter in amongst the stems, as skylarks sing their hearts out overhead. Rich in variety, grassland meadows, hay meadows and floodplain meadows have unique wildlife that relies upon subtly different habitat to survive. The recent State of Yorkshire's Nature report also found that meadows formed on limestone and wetland landscapes are key wildlife habitats in Yorkshire. These protect our most important Yorkshire Stronghold Species, those found in few or no other place, and give a home to many Species of Conservation Concern. Wildflower meadows are often found on areas of poor soil, usually those which have never been ploughed or had fertiliser added. Many of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's spectacular wildflower reserves have steep valley sides, impractical for ploughing or agriculture, and are carefully managed through conservation grazing with enigmatic Highland cattle or Hebridean sheep. Tragically, the UK has lost 97% of wildflower meadows in the last 90 years, as farming practices have changed and towns and villages have expanded to swallow up flower-rich fields. Thankfully, many farmers, conservation charities and communities work hard to maintain and restore these now rare and precious species-rich habitats for wildlife. Recommended reading: Enjoy the sounds, scents and sights of summer around York Weekend walk: Keep cool on this short riverside walk with amazing views Weekend walk: Pleasant moor and woodland walk with surprise folly to discover Seek out and ramble through pastel-coloured fields this summer and see what butterflies, moths, beetles and birds you can spot. Here are Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's top wildflower meadow reserves to visit this summer: North Yorkshire: Ingleborough's gorgeous wildflower displays are at their peak at Ashes Pasture, Ashes Shaw and Bellfield's Pasture, with everything from small white orchids and ragged robin to fields of yellow globeflowers and sweet-smelling wild thyme. Some of our rarest wildflowers can be spotted here, including purple saxifrage and Yorkshire sandwort. In the Vale of York, visit Staveley nature reserve's expansive wildflower meadows – often bright yellow in the summer. It's the perfect backdrop to the friendly visiting barn owl often spotted on-site. You may also spot orchids and daisies around the wetland pools, accompanied by blue butterflies and jewel-like damselflies. East Yorkshire: Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit and nearby Wharram Quarry are fantastic examples of the amazing habitat old quarries can provide for wildlife. Butterflies including the distinctive marbled whites flutter every which way and make these reserves the perfect special experience for those willing to tarry a while in the sheltered valley and enjoy some warm weather in the heart of the Wolds. Pyramidal, twayblade and common spotted-orchids bloom and stand to attention, along with common and greater knapweed, field scabious, harebell and lady's bedstraw, all in harmonious contrast to the white of the bedrock. If you do visit a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust meadow, please leave the plants as you've found them, and just take photos to remember your visit (and don't forgot to share them with us!) Alternatively, you can buy a set of our beautiful Ingleborough wildflower pin badges that directly support our conservation work restoring meadows up at Ingleborough in the Dales:
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Orange or Mudgee: which regional NSW town wins the wine-and-weekend crown?
They both have food, wine and views, but which country town wins? Tasting at Printhie Wines in Orange. Picture: Destination NSW By Mal Chenu and Amy Cooper Updated July 18 2025 - 9:06am, first published 10:00am Two of NSW's most beloved wine and food destinations - Mudgee and Orange - have been battling (politely, of course) for the title of the state's best country escape. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area So which one deserves your weekend? We break down the case for each. The case for Mudgee: warm, welcoming and full of flavour I do love the name Mudgee. Simultaneously snuggly and tasty, the sound of it conjures up fresh scones and sun-ripened fruit, handwoven blankets and blooming flowerbeds, warm hearths and happy hearts. A place where people have time to chat, make jam, bake bread. And drink bucketloads of wine. The real meaning isn't far off. In the local Wiradjuri language, Mudgee's a word for "nest in the hills", or "contented". Better still, the reality matches up. Of all the charming country towns dotted across the bucolic NSW Central Tablelands, Mudgee best personifies the rural idyll imagined by wistful urban dwellers sitting at traffic lights surrounded by road rage and existential despair. Mudgee's scenic countryside. Pictures: DNSW Mudgee doesn't have traffic lights. It has wide tree-lined streets with pubs on most corners and fine old heritage buildings dating back to the 1800s. It nestles in a patchwork quilt of vineyards, fields and orchards, and boasts both a beer and a wine school, educational assets absent from even sophisticated cities. Coincidentally (and perhaps regrettably, given his troubled relationship with the bottle) the great poet Henry Lawson spent his school years in Mudgee. You can see the remains of his family home at the Henry Lawson Memorial and his name now belongs to Mudgee's lovely Lawson Park where you can picnic on the banks of the Cudgegong River. You'd better bring a big basket. Food and wine practically spring from the soil in this furiously fertile region. More than 35 cellar doors beckon at some of Australia's oldest vineyards, with some established more than 150 years ago. Scenic Mudgee. Picture: Destination NSW Whether you're chatting with Burrundulla's award-winning viticulturalist Ted Cox, whose family were among the town's first settlers in the 1820s, or Robert Stein's Jacob Stein, whose forebears brought Rhine riesling to Australia in 1838, you'll find a welcome from winemakers eager to share generations of passion for the land. Lowe Family Wine Co has turned a dedication to biodynamic and organic farming into an epicurean epicentre where vineyards and market gardens sprawl around The Zin House restaurant, holder of a chef's hat for 10 years in a row. You can taste wines and produce in historical former horse stalls at Gooree Park Cellar Door at The Stables, and wander through cherry, fig and citrus orchards with a glass in hand at 10's Estate. Wherever you wander, Mudgee's artisans, growers, farmers and shopkeepers greet you with the genuine hospitality that scored Mudgee fourth place and top NSW town on 2025 Friendliest Towns list, while Orange scraped in at number 10. As Henry Lawson famously said: "Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer." And I say: Mudgee makes you feel the way you ought to feel without Mudgee. The argument for Orange: cool-climate class and endless choice Orange and Mudgee are fine destinations for wineries or romance, or both, and in that order, as God intended. Separated by just two hours, these towns sit on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people and boast lovely colonial heritage buildings and robust art, food and wine scenes. Tasting at Swinging Bridge Wines in Orange. Picture: Destination NSW So, what's the difference between Orange and Mudgee? Well, besides the spelling and pronunciation, Orange rises head and shoulders above Mudgee with an elevation advantage of 400 metres. The superior altitude (along with the rich terroir) produces excellent cool-climate wines, as you will find at the region's wineries (there are more than 80, and about 30 of them have cellar doors), including well-known purveyors Printhie, Philip Shaw, Ross Hill and Swinging Bridge. Four times as many people choose to live in Orange as they do Mudgee, and this is reflected in the accommodation options. Another top-end winery - Nashdale Lane Wines - offers luxe glamping cabins with views across the vineyards and out to Mount Canobolas. Pinnacle Reserve and Lookout, the Spring Glade walking track and Nangar National Park offer similarly fab views. Back in town, the 1876-built Duntryleague Guesthouse is the most elegant landmark in Orange, while Yallungah Boutique Hotel, where original architecture meets mod-cons and mod art, is the go-to digs for a heritage-comfort blend. Tasting at Philip Shaw Wines in Orange. More epicurean art can be appreciated at the Orange Regional Gallery, Corner Store Boutique Gallery and The White Place. The Orange Botanic Gardens and Cook Park offer a colourful taste of the local flora, and you can explore limestone caves at Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve and Federal Falls in the Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area, play a round at Duntryleague Golf Club and watch dragon boat racing on Lake Canobolas. Fancy a bevvy? Start at local institution Ferment the Orange Wine Centre & Store, then push on to the tiny wine bar Hey Rosey. For fine dining, check out The Peacock Room, Whitney's Restaurant, Sisters Rock Restaurant, Lucetta Dining or The Schoolhouse Restaurant. Everything F&B in Orange is superb, a function of the local produce and intense competition. The spot where the town sits was originally called Blackman's Swamp but was quickly renamed to honour William, the Prince of Orange of the Netherlands. This makes Orange the new Blackman. "Orange" has suffered from some recent dubious associations, and the burghers of the town want to make it abundantly clear they are not affiliated with any presidents or face-tanning products. While Orange is the more a-peel-ing option for your Central West getaway, I would never be judgy about Mudgee.
The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Here are two of Australia's most stunning port towns; but which one's for you?
Port Fairy Lighthouse. By Amy Cooper and Mal Chenu Updated July 10 2025 - 3:58pm, first published 5:30pm Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area They say any port in a storm, but for me there's just one: Port Fairy, the delightful finale to Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Even prettier than its name, the little seaside settlement straight from coastal cuteness central casting is a cinematographer's dream of historic bluestone buildings, whitewashed whalers' cottages, a picturesque lighthouse, 19th-century churches, wide streets lined with lofty Norfolk pines and fishing boats bobbing in a sparkling marina at the mouth of the River Moyne. It's the stuff of storybooks and sea shanties. And significantly more soothing than a sojourn with Mal as a caged canape for the sharks of South Australia's seafood capital. I'd rather stroll Port Fairy's jetties and boardwalks, watching hauls of crayfish and abalone pour in from the Southern Ocean, breathing the brine-tinged breeze as it sets masts clinking in chorus with the schooners raised around the hearth of Victoria's oldest pub, the Merrijig Inn - a riverbank fixture since the 1840s. It's a place to potter and linger in cafes, boutiques and galleries, or rewind time on a heritage walk, taking in 50-plus buildings classified by the National Trust. All good Fairy tales have their dark side, and here it dwells out beyond the sheltered harbour, in the drama of a jagged coastline carved by turbulent swells, buffeting gales and the rages of long-dormant volcanoes. If you're a sailor, Port Fairy's scary. It marks the westward point of Victoria's Shipwreck Coast, a graveyard for some 700 stricken vessels, 19 of which lie in Port Fairy Bay and surrounding waters, often eerily visible from the town's Maritime and Shipwreck Heritage Walk. Port Fairy. Picture: Visit Victoria You can spot the happier spectacle of southern right whales and blue whales raising their families in winter, or the southern hemisphere's largest colony of fur seals at nearby Lady Julia Percy (Deen Maar) island, Australia's only offshore volcano. Cruises from Port Fairy take you close to both. On land, in what sounds like a wacky cartoon storyline, more than 200 koalas and kangaroos as well as emus, wombats, swans, blue wrens and miscellaneous waterbirds all live together in the extinct crater of another volcano. Criss-crossed with easy walks, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is a magma-nificent setting for native wildlife - even better when discovered with Indigenous guides from Worn Gundidj Aboriginal tours. Another surprise: teeny Port Fairy has a supersized capacity for partying. The 4000-ish population swells to 50,000 every March when the four-day Port Fairy Folk Festival brings top artists to town - and across the year a very merry Fairy stages jazz, literary, music, spring, winter and Irish festivals. Mal might think the world's his oyster over there in SA's shellfish central, but this festive fishing village is Australia's fairy dinkum premium port. Our brains create associations, and this is especially true for places. Rottnest Island equals quokkas, Paris equals the Eiffel Tower, Wuhan equals Covid, and Springfield, Ohio, equals "They're eating the dogs". One and a half of these may be apocryphal. A feast in seafood capital Port Lincoln. Picture: SATC And Port Lincoln equals Dean Lukin, who won a gold medal in weightlifting at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Admittedly, the modest tuna fisherman was aided by an Eastern Bloc boycott of the Games and the absence of steroid-sodden Soviets, but the performance turned Dean into an overnight Aussie hero and shone a bright light on the town. It was, and remains, the stuff of legend. As is the southern bluefin tuna, which is as sought-after around the world as seat 11A on a Boeing Dreamliner. Port Lincoln celebrates the feisty fishy at its Tunarama Festival, which attracts visitors from far and wide, many of whom take part in the marquee event, the tuna toss. But even if you're not a tosser, you can still enjoy the street parade and the cornucopia of food and wine tastings that showcase South Australia's epicurean Eyre Peninsula. Port Lincoln is the "Seafood Capital of Australia", and restaurants and cafes knock out great Australian bites of local flathead, whiting, garfish, yellowtail kingfish, crayfish, sardines, octopus, abalone, gummy shark, Coffin Bay oysters, Spencer Gulf king prawns and tons of tasty tuna. If you'd rather hang out with sea creatures than eat them, you can check out whales from June to October, swim with dolphins and Australian sea lions (the "puppy dogs of the sea") at Seal Cove and go great white shark cage diving on a day trip to the Neptune Islands. Wild encounters off Port Lincoln. Picture: King Roberto Twitchers flock here to see greater crested terns, rock parrots, fan-tailed cuckoos, black-shouldered kites, sooty oystercatchers and endangered white-bellied sea eagles, the second-largest bird of prey in Australia. Port Lincoln is so awesome it was once considered a potential site for South Australia's capital. But long before that, the Barngarla, Nauo and Wirangu people wandered the area, foraging and, you guessed it, fishing. Untamed Escapes offers an exploration of the region's Indigenous heritage, lore and fishing techniques, including a wild bushfoods lunch. Australia's premier "Port" also boasts railway and maritime museums, galleries, gorgeous beaches, yachting, scuba diving, game fishing (of course), walking trails, vineyards and national parks. There's a cool street-art trail and noteworthy statues of triple Melbourne Cup-winner Makybe Diva (owned by another local tuna fisherman), and Matthew Flinders (who named the town) and his cat, for some reason. Amy can spin her Fairy tale, but if you really want to live happily ever after, head to Port Lincoln.
The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Two epic journeys, one tough travel choice: Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan?
World Nomad Games in Kyrgystan. Picture: Shutterstock By Amy Cooper and Mal Chenu Updated July 4, 2025, first published July 5, 2025 Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area I'm a Stan fan. Show me a Central Asian country with those four letters ending a name no spelling bee contestant would ever wish to encounter, and I'm there quicker than you can say Borat. Just to be clear, Borat does not come from Kyrgyzstan - probably because nobody would ever dare mock the second smallest and by far fiercest of the seven Stans. You do not mess with a country where instead of playing footy, men grapple a headless goat carcass on horseback at breakneck speed and where, instead of calling Uber Eats, you send your trained golden eagle to hunt down a jackal, which you will butcher yourself. To be an influencer in Kyrgyzstan, you must be able to recite word-perfectly and by memory the 500,000 lines of your nation's immense epic poem passed down orally for more than 1000 years. In short, Kyrgyz people are badass. Light on vowels but heavy on bravery, pride, virtuosity and harmony with nature, Kyrgyzstan is one of the world's last bastions of nomadic culture. Practically born on horseback, Kyrgyz clans still follow the seasons across central Asia's highest peaks in the towering Tian Shan ranges to graze their flocks in alpine summer meadows. It's a life of astonishing freedom and beauty, and thanks to Kyrgyz nomads' hospitality - as legendary as their history - visitors can join in. You'll be invited to sleep in a traditional yurt on the shores of glacial lakes, ride across the steppes on horses, yaks or camels, accompany the eagle hunters and their remarkable raptors, then toast your new friends with fermented mare's milk while yurt-y dancing around the open fire. You'll be high the whole time. Kyrgyzstan is about 90 per cent mountainous, with more than half the land over 2500 metres above sea level; a rarefied, unfolding wonder of needle summits soaring to more than 7000 metres amid plunging gorges, roaring waterfalls and emerald forests and meadows. The world's second-largest mountain lake, Issyk-Kul, shimmers like a mirage surrounded by snow-capped peaks. In the icy wilds of Tash Rabat, the remains of a 15th-century Silk Road inn recall that this was once a superhighway. Now you can trek or ride for days and see nobody but the odd shepherd. Bliss. And then there's the World Nomad Games, Kyrgyzstan's insane answer to the Olympics. At this biennial festival of unhinged heroics, next staged in 2026, you can see horseback wrestling, foot archery, bone hurling, an opening ceremony in which performers are aflame and - the Kyrgyz national sport - Kok Boru, a brutal mix of rugby and polo in which two teams on horseback battle for possession of a decapitated goat. Meanwhile, next door in Uzbekistan, Mal might be marvelling at mosaics and minarets, but he's missing out on the most out-stan-ding Stan of all. The Stans of Central Asia may sound like a spin-off of The Kumars at No 42 , but they are actually fascinating travel destinations, and not just so you can wait and wait and one day be a hero at pub trivia, or at an albeit less likely geography spelling bee. Gur-e-Amir mausoleum in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Picture: Shutterstock Of the five Stans, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are the most impressive if you are a place name dropper. After your friends tell you about the cool bar they went to in Kuta, you can casually mention the magical twilight that accentuates the glazed azure tiles of the Kalta Minor Minaret in the walled city of Itchan Kala in the Khanate of Khiva. But you can only do this if you go to Uzbekistan. If you go to Kyrgyzstan, you can tell your friends you saw some nice sheep shivering on the steppe. Kyrgyzstan is in more danger of overgrazing than overtourism. You may think you would only travel to the Stans if you have literally been to every country. If this is the case, you would only visit Kyrgyzstan because you've been to all the other Stans. As a central hub of the legendary Silk Road, the region that is now Uzbekistan thrived. Prior to Genghis Khan's scorched earth pillaging in the early 13th century, the cities of Bukhara and Samarkand were prosperous centres of science, culture and learning. One lesson they learned well was architecture, and Uzbekistan's ancient cities remain a repository for some of the most stunning buildings in the world. Magnificent mausoleums, mosques and madrasas, many finished in turquoise and gold, are sprinkled throughout the country like sumac on a kebab. In Samarkand, Registan is a sprawling network of three grand madrasas filled with gorgeous majolica pottery and mosaics. Samarkand is also home to the Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda mausoleums, built as the final resting places of famous Uzbeks that even the most demanding pub quiz is unlikely to probe. The Ark in Bukhara was the residence of emirs from the 5th century until the Russian Red Army bombed it in 1920. Now mostly ruins, it still hosts several museums and the 17th-century-built Juma Mosque. Nearby Maghoki-Attar has been a religious site since the 5th century and was once a mosque by day and a synagogue by night. Imagine! Legend has it that the locals saved Maghoki-Attar from the Mongol hordes by burying it in sand. More architectural wonders can be found in Namangan, Andijan, Nukus, Fergana and Kokand, all of which will provide you with better bragging rights than Kyrgyzstan. Or Kuta. Those who say a good Stan is hard to find should put Uzbekistan on their uz-bekit list.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Institutes Knowledge Group and RISE® Partner to Support the Next Generation of Risk Management and Insurance Leaders
New Partnership Promotes Resources to Advance Skill Development and Career Readiness for Tomorrow's Leaders MALVERN, Pa., June 09, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Institutes Knowledge Group and RISE® (Rising Insurance Star Executives) announced a strategic partnership to support early-career professionals across the risk management and insurance landscape. The collaboration educates emerging talent by providing guidance and learning experiences developed to help build critical risk management, insurance and technical skills. As part of the partnership, The Institutes Knowledge Group will attend the 2025 RISE Leadership Summit & Awards Gala, taking place June 16-18 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The summit brings together ambitious risk management and insurance professionals from more than 200 companies for leadership talks, interactive workshops and mentoring sessions. The Institutes Knowledge Group will be on-site to discuss education options aligned with attendees' career goals. "RISE builds an energetic, purpose-driven community for emerging professionals, and we're proud to complement that with educational experiences that support on-the-job confidence and career mobility," said Adam Carmichael, CPCU, President of The Institutes Knowledge Group. "Our programs develop technical expertise in risk management and insurance as well as the leadership and communication skills professionals need to grow and thrive in today's evolving workplace." "Our mission has always been to support rising professionals with the community, mentorship, and leadership development they need to grow in this industry," said Amy Cooper, Founder & CEO of RISE. "This partnership with The Institutes Knowledge Group brings in the missing piece—technical training that helps our members build deep expertise and confidence in their roles. It's a powerful combination that prepares early-career talent for long-term success in risk management and insurance." This partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of insurance professionals through education, mentorship and meaningful career connections. By combining RISE's community of professionals with The Institutes Knowledge Group's 115-plus-years legacy of educational excellence, the collaboration is uniquely positioned to support the future leaders of the risk management and insurance space. About The Institutes Knowledge Group The Institutes Knowledge Group helps people build foundational, technical and leadership skills to stay ahead of evolving trends in risk management and insurance. We offer more than 25 practical Institutes Designations, including CPCU®, along with online courses, micro-courses for learning in the flow of work, collegiate studies, and executive and leadership education programs, all focused on the business of risk management and insurance. For more information, visit The Institutes Knowledge Group's website. CPCU is a registered trademark of The Institutes Designations, LLC. About The Institutes The Institutes® are a not-for-profit comprised of diverse affiliates that educate, elevate, and connect people in the essential disciplines of risk management and insurance. Through products and services offered by The Institutes' nearly 20 affiliated business units, people and organizations are empowered to help those in need with a focus on understanding, predicting, and preventing losses to create a more resilient world. Learn more at The Institutes is a registered trademark of The Institutes. All rights reserved. About RISE RISE® (Rising Insurance Star Executives) is an insurance community dedicated to empowering early-career professionals, attracting new talent, fostering networking opportunities, and providing access to invaluable resources. Learn more and join for free at View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Vanessa ValoreVice President, MarketingThe Institutes Knowledge Group484-831-9078Valore@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
