Latest news with #Plantlife


Cision Canada
17-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
AGLC Announces Cannabis Welcome at Alberta Concerts and Festivals
Plantlife Cannabis Poised for a Busy Summer EDMONTON, AB, July 17, 2025 /CNW/ - In another nationwide first, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) is expanding cannabis access at public events. Already the first and only province in Canada to permit cannabis sales at 18+ events, cannabis will soon be available at most concerts and festivals. "We see this as a natural evolution of where cannabis retail is headed," said Ian Scott, VP Operations, Plantlife Cannabis. "Festivals bring together a wide range of Albertans — and by operating in designated 18+ zones with transparency, education, and full compliance, we're showing how cannabis can responsibly exist in the same spaces as beer gardens or food trucks. We're proud to be leading this shift." What the New Policy Means "Effective immediately, cannabis store licensees may apply to AGLC for an extension of their licence to temporarily sell cannabis at events and festivals where minors are permitted. Sales shall only occur in designated areas of the event or festival where minors are prohibited." Until now, cannabis sales were restricted to adults-only (18+) events. Retailers could sell cannabis only with a temporary license extension from the AGLC, and sales could not occur within designated consumption areas. Under the updated rules: Cannabis may be sold at events where minors are present, if restricted to 18+ zones Consumption areas remain separate and 18+ only Only licensed Alberta retailers can apply for these special permits This change opens the door for a more inclusive, regulated cannabis presence at Alberta's top music and cultural festivals. Plantlife Cannabis, Alberta's fastest-growing cannabis retailer, is ready to meet the moment. With multiple major festivals on the summer calendar, Plantlife is positioned to be among the first to legally sell cannabis on-site under the new framework. "This is a huge step for the normalization of cannabis in Alberta," said Marcie Kiziak, President of Retail, Plantlife Cannabis. "We've been preparing behind the scenes, and our team is ready to operate responsibly, visibly, and in full compliance at a new kind of cultural event." Where Plantlife Is Showing Up This Summer Branded Graphic Plantlife will be present — and selling — at several major festivals under the new policy: Rockin' Thunder – Edmonton – July 11–12 Cannabis was sold on-site in an 18+ zone; minors permitted elsewhere on festival grounds. Country Thunder – Calgary – August 15–18 Cannabis sales on site in an 18+ zone; minors permitted elsewhere on festival grounds. "We're proud to share that this past weekend's festival marked a successful step forward in integrating legalized cannabis into the live music experience. Our on-site cannabis sales were handled with the highest standards of compliance and responsibility, working closely with regulators to ensure a safe and seamless guest experience," said Gerry Krochak, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Rockin' Thunder and Country Thunder."The feedback from festival goers was overwhelmingly positive — guests appreciated the convenience and atmosphere, and we saw respectful, responsible enjoyment throughout the weekend. We're excited about the future of enhancing festival culture in a thoughtful and progressive way. We're also happy to have this partnership lined up for our Country Thunder event in Calgary this August." "This was a historic moment — we're proud to be the first retailer in Canada to offer legal cannabis sales at an all-ages event. Through careful planning, designated consumption areas, and clear separation from minors, we demonstrated that cannabis can be safely and responsibly integrated into major live events. This sets a new benchmark for what's possible in the evolving entertainment and cannabis landscapes," said Scott. Great Outdoors Comedy Festival – Edmonton – Adults Only Returning for the second year as a trusted on-site cannabis vendor. "We're proud to partner with Plantlife Cannabis as our on-site retail partner. Their commitment to education, compliance, and responsible consumption sets the standard for cannabis retail at live events. They've created a safe and welcoming experience that aligns perfectly with the values of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival ," said Mike Anderson, President Trixstar Entertainment, Great Outdoors Comedy Festival A First in Cannabis + Culture Integration Plantlife's approach to festival retail includes: Verified ID checks to enter retail zone extensions Branded but compliant signage inside retail zones Product education, not just transactions Partnerships with event organizers for safety and access planning "We're not just showing up to sell," said Scott. "We're there to educate, engage, and help cannabis feel like a normal, safe part of Alberta's cultural moment." Media Access & Interviews Press, content creators, and community partners are invited to: Visit the Plantlife booth at The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival for exclusive behind-the-scenes access Request interview from Plantlife team Request high-res photos, branding, and team bios Note on Compliance All sales and promotional activity are conducted in alignment with the Cannabis Act and AGLC regulations. No cannabis is sold or consumed in the presence of minors. Branded materials are factual, non-glamorized, and focused on responsible access.


Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners told mowing the lawn before specific date is 'banned'
Every year gardeners are warned about the perils of cutting the lawn too early, with experts saying people should hold off mowing until a certain date in the summer Garden enthusiasts are being warned against mowing their lawns until a specific date this month. The annual debate on the appropriate timing and method for trimming the grass is once again a hot topic among horticultural experts. In May, gardeners were advised to refrain from cutting the grass entirely. This is due to the fact that long grass supports numerous wildlife populations, ranging from crucial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, to beetles, moths and birds that depend on these insects for sustenance - thereby supporting the entire food chain. READ MORE: Kickers' 'durable' Back to School shoe range that 'last all year' However, gardeners are now being encouraged to hold off on lawn mowing until July 15, according to Sir David Attenborough's recommendation. He urges people to abstain until 'mid-July', while Gardeners' World star Monty Don opts for June 21 as his preferred date, reports This advice has been endorsed by esteemed naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who has urged Britain to 'delay mowing' during the summer months, a plea supported by wildlife experts, reports the Express. This is because insects such as bees, butterflies, and even wasps utilise lawns, especially the daisies, weeds, and wildflowers within them, for breeding, pollination, and maintaining a healthy ecosystem during this season. Mowing the grass disrupts this process, resulting in the death of many insects that are a vital - and increasingly endangered - component of our ecosystem. The extinction of these insects could ultimately lead to our own demise. UK conservation charity Plantlife has issued a stark warning, stating: "We've lost approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows since the 1930s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies. "But your lawn can help! A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground. "With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest grassy patches add up to a significant proportion of our land which, if managed properly, can deliver enormous gains for nature, communities and the climate." Broadcasting legend Sir David, speaking on BBC's Wild Isles nature documentary, highlighted the plight of the UK's meadows: "Nowhere here is richer in wildflowers and insect pollinators than our traditional hay meadows. "Sadly, in the last 60 years, we've lost 97% of this precious habitat. But with nature friendly farming, meadows can be restored to provide a haven for wildlife. "It's all about the timing. Delaying mowing until mid-July allows birds and insects to complete their breeding and flowers to set their seed."

Leader Live
19-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Most people unaware Britain hosts wildlife-rich rainforests, polling suggests
Nature charity Plantlife is calling for greater protection of Britain's hidden and largely vanished rainforests, including government funding, full legal protection and long-term support for forest managers, and point to polling that finds support for the habitat is strongly backed by the public. The poll of more than 2,000 people by Opinion Matters for Plantlife found that 58% thought they understood what a temperate rainforest was. But 45% associated them with tropical rainforest-rich Brazil, while just one in five (20%) expected them to grow in England, only 12% linked them to Wales, and 13.5% thought they would grow in Scotland, all areas where they are found. It also found seven in 10 people would be interested in visiting a temperate rainforest, and 88% thought it was important that government makes protecting the habitat a priority. Temperate rainforests, once known as Atlantic oakwoods or Celtic rainforests, are a globally rare habitat, with just 1% of the world's land providing the wet, mild conditions they need, in places including the western fringes of Europe, the west coast of Canada, Japan and New Zealand. These habitats once swathed western coasts of England, Wales, Scotland, the island of Ireland and the Isle of Man, but the area of Britain covered by these woodlands has shrunk from a fifth to just 1%, cleared for timber, commercial forestry and agriculture. The fragments that are left are filled with native trees festooned with mosses, ferns and lichens, and rich in rare wildlife such as pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly and birds including wood warbler, pied flycatcher and redstart. But those remaining pockets of habitat face multiple threats including isolation, invasive species and rising temperatures which put their unique micro-climate at risk. Conservationists say scaling up and connecting areas of healthy rainforest habitat, by planting native trees and enabling natural regeneration of the woodlands and species that grow in them, is crucial to making sure they and the wildlife they support can survive in the face of climate change. Restoring these ancient woodlands can also play a role in tackling climate change, storing carbon and reducing run-off and flooding caused by increasingly heavy rainstorms, they argue. Adam Thorogood, rainforest programme manager at Plantlife said: 'Britain's rainforests are hiding in plain sight – in places like the west coast of Scotland, Eryri (Snowdonia) in Wales, the Lake District and the fringes of Dartmoor and Exmoor. 'These are ancient places with twisted branches, dappled light and boulders cloaked in mosses and lichens – survivors of Earth's earliest ecosystems, tracing back 400 million years.' Jenny Hawley, Plantlife's policy and advocacy manager added: 'If Britain's rainforests are to survive, we need an urgent response from governments. 'Political commitments to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change are worth very little without real action on the ground. 'National rainforest funds, full legal protection and long-term support for rainforest managers are vital steps forward.' Plantlife, which unveiled the poll ahead of world rainforest day, says it is working with farmers, landowners, governments and communities to protect and restore the UK's remaining temperate rainforests.


North Wales Chronicle
19-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Most people unaware Britain hosts wildlife-rich rainforests, polling suggests
Nature charity Plantlife is calling for greater protection of Britain's hidden and largely vanished rainforests, including government funding, full legal protection and long-term support for forest managers, and point to polling that finds support for the habitat is strongly backed by the public. The poll of more than 2,000 people by Opinion Matters for Plantlife found that 58% thought they understood what a temperate rainforest was. But 45% associated them with tropical rainforest-rich Brazil, while just one in five (20%) expected them to grow in England, only 12% linked them to Wales, and 13.5% thought they would grow in Scotland, all areas where they are found. It also found seven in 10 people would be interested in visiting a temperate rainforest, and 88% thought it was important that government makes protecting the habitat a priority. Temperate rainforests, once known as Atlantic oakwoods or Celtic rainforests, are a globally rare habitat, with just 1% of the world's land providing the wet, mild conditions they need, in places including the western fringes of Europe, the west coast of Canada, Japan and New Zealand. These habitats once swathed western coasts of England, Wales, Scotland, the island of Ireland and the Isle of Man, but the area of Britain covered by these woodlands has shrunk from a fifth to just 1%, cleared for timber, commercial forestry and agriculture. The fragments that are left are filled with native trees festooned with mosses, ferns and lichens, and rich in rare wildlife such as pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly and birds including wood warbler, pied flycatcher and redstart. But those remaining pockets of habitat face multiple threats including isolation, invasive species and rising temperatures which put their unique micro-climate at risk. Conservationists say scaling up and connecting areas of healthy rainforest habitat, by planting native trees and enabling natural regeneration of the woodlands and species that grow in them, is crucial to making sure they and the wildlife they support can survive in the face of climate change. Restoring these ancient woodlands can also play a role in tackling climate change, storing carbon and reducing run-off and flooding caused by increasingly heavy rainstorms, they argue. Adam Thorogood, rainforest programme manager at Plantlife said: 'Britain's rainforests are hiding in plain sight – in places like the west coast of Scotland, Eryri (Snowdonia) in Wales, the Lake District and the fringes of Dartmoor and Exmoor. 'These are ancient places with twisted branches, dappled light and boulders cloaked in mosses and lichens – survivors of Earth's earliest ecosystems, tracing back 400 million years.' Jenny Hawley, Plantlife's policy and advocacy manager added: 'If Britain's rainforests are to survive, we need an urgent response from governments. 'Political commitments to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change are worth very little without real action on the ground. 'National rainforest funds, full legal protection and long-term support for rainforest managers are vital steps forward.' Plantlife, which unveiled the poll ahead of world rainforest day, says it is working with farmers, landowners, governments and communities to protect and restore the UK's remaining temperate rainforests.


Glasgow Times
19-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Most people unaware Britain hosts wildlife-rich rainforests, polling suggests
Nature charity Plantlife is calling for greater protection of Britain's hidden and largely vanished rainforests, including government funding, full legal protection and long-term support for forest managers, and point to polling that finds support for the habitat is strongly backed by the public. The poll of more than 2,000 people by Opinion Matters for Plantlife found that 58% thought they understood what a temperate rainforest was. But 45% associated them with tropical rainforest-rich Brazil, while just one in five (20%) expected them to grow in England, only 12% linked them to Wales, and 13.5% thought they would grow in Scotland, all areas where they are found. Britain's temperate rainforests are rich in mosses and lichens (Dave Lamacraft/Plantlife/PA) It also found seven in 10 people would be interested in visiting a temperate rainforest, and 88% thought it was important that government makes protecting the habitat a priority. Temperate rainforests, once known as Atlantic oakwoods or Celtic rainforests, are a globally rare habitat, with just 1% of the world's land providing the wet, mild conditions they need, in places including the western fringes of Europe, the west coast of Canada, Japan and New Zealand. These habitats once swathed western coasts of England, Wales, Scotland, the island of Ireland and the Isle of Man, but the area of Britain covered by these woodlands has shrunk from a fifth to just 1%, cleared for timber, commercial forestry and agriculture. The fragments that are left are filled with native trees festooned with mosses, ferns and lichens, and rich in rare wildlife such as pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly and birds including wood warbler, pied flycatcher and redstart. But those remaining pockets of habitat face multiple threats including isolation, invasive species and rising temperatures which put their unique micro-climate at risk. Conservationists say scaling up and connecting areas of healthy rainforest habitat, by planting native trees and enabling natural regeneration of the woodlands and species that grow in them, is crucial to making sure they and the wildlife they support can survive in the face of climate change. Restoring these ancient woodlands can also play a role in tackling climate change, storing carbon and reducing run-off and flooding caused by increasingly heavy rainstorms, they argue. Adam Thorogood, rainforest programme manager at Plantlife said: 'Britain's rainforests are hiding in plain sight – in places like the west coast of Scotland, Eryri (Snowdonia) in Wales, the Lake District and the fringes of Dartmoor and Exmoor. 'These are ancient places with twisted branches, dappled light and boulders cloaked in mosses and lichens – survivors of Earth's earliest ecosystems, tracing back 400 million years.' Jenny Hawley, Plantlife's policy and advocacy manager added: 'If Britain's rainforests are to survive, we need an urgent response from governments. 'Political commitments to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change are worth very little without real action on the ground. 'National rainforest funds, full legal protection and long-term support for rainforest managers are vital steps forward.' Plantlife, which unveiled the poll ahead of world rainforest day, says it is working with farmers, landowners, governments and communities to protect and restore the UK's remaining temperate rainforests.