A dose of Norfolk's countryside may be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to coping with our busy modern lives - and now Norfolk County Council has appointed two new officers to make sure that healthy walks are easier to find and use than ever before.

[Find out more about Just what the doctor ordered! ‘Health walks’ initiative gathers pace in Norfolk]

Walk to School Week 2008

This year schools in Norfolk are competing to see who is the greenest during Walk to School Week (19 to 23 May).

We often associate dolphins, whales and porpoises with exotic locations, but many species can be seen right here along the Norfolk coast. To help improve our understanding of the distribution of these species, the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership has teamed up with a number of other organisations to develop an identification leaflet and recording card.

[Find out more about Help Record Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises off the Norfolk Coast]

Ambitious plans to cut Norfolk County Council's carbon emissions by 25% will slice over £3m a year from energy bills, according to reports that will be considered by Cabinet on Monday April 14.

[Read more about Energy saving plan to cut carbon emissions and save millions]

Norfolk County Council is supporting Radio Broadland’s “Lights Out” campaign this Saturday (29 March) and is asking all staff to make sure that non-essential lights and electrical equipment are switched off.

Staff at offices and facilities right across the county are being asked to check that everything that can be safely switched off, is off – and for as long as possible, not just the “Lights Out” hour.

Security staff will be double-checking County Hall offices before the “Lights Out” hour between 8pm and 9pm - although the main computer suite will remain illuminated because staff will be at work.

Daniel Cox, Leader of the Council, said: “Norfolk County Council is already committed to a 25% reduction in carbon emissions by 2013 and this “Lights Out” campaign reminds us all that we have a part to play, whether at home or at work, simply by switching off unnecessary lights and equipment.”

For more information about the campaign, visit Radio Broadland’s website

Find out about biodiversity in Norfolk; including what biodiversity means, why it is important and what is being done to help conserve species and habitats in the County.

[Visit the Norfolk Biodiversity Website]

Planners and developers are being encouraged to think about how wildlife can fit into and even enhance new developments across Norfolk. New planning guidance specific to this county is being launched by the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, which brings together local councils and conservation groups.