New online zine brings Stroud district's Climate and Nature Strategy to life

A new online ‘zine’ launched by Stroud District Council is helping to make climate and nature issues more accessible, engaging and relevant to people across the district.

Nature Knows uses art and storytelling to explore some of the biggest environmental challenges facing local communities, from climate change and biodiversity loss to flooding and extreme weather.

Rather than presenting information through reports and technical documents, the online zine uses a cast of local wildlife characters to explain the challenges facing the district and the opportunities to create a greener, more resilient future.

The story is inspired by the council's Climate and Nature Strategy and helps bring its themes to life in a format that's easy to explore and enjoy.

The council commissioned local artists Joe Magee and Fiona McClymont to create a distinctive series of illustrations for the zine. Their artwork is rooted in the Stroud district, featuring recognisable landscapes, wildlife and local characters, helping readers connect climate and nature issues with places they know and care about.

The zine sits alongside the council's Climate and Nature Strategy, which sets out ambitions to reduce carbon emissions, restore nature and help communities adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. The strategy aims to create a future where homes, workplaces and schools are comfortable and energy efficient, wildlife is thriving, and communities are better protected from flooding, drought and extreme weather.

Councillor Martin Pearcy, Chair of the Environment Committee at Stroud District Council, said:

"The climate and nature challenges we face can sometimes feel distant or overwhelming, but their impacts can be seen in the places we live, work and enjoy every day. This zine helps tell that story through familiar landscapes, local wildlife and wonderful artwork created by local artists.

"We hope it inspires people to explore these issues further, discover what's already happening across the district and see how small actions can collectively make a real difference for nature, climate and future generations."

Chris Uttley, Climate, Economy and Flood Risk Manager at Stroud District Council, added:

"Climate change and nature loss affect everyone, but they're not always easy topics to communicate. We wanted to create something people would genuinely enjoy reading, helping them discover more about the wildlife, landscapes and environmental challenges that affect the places they know."

The zine was developed as part of the council's ongoing commitment to climate and nature and to finding new ways to communicate complex issues, making information accessible to as many people as possible.

You can read it online and explore the full Climate and Nature Strategy on the council's website.

Read Nature Knows. 

Read the full Climate and Nature strategy.

Schools, colleges and other education providers request free Nature Knows posters to display in classrooms and libraries. The posters encourage students to download the zine and explore climate change, nature recovery and the wildlife found in their own communities across the Stroud district. Email climate@stroud.gov.uk