Landscape Recovery and growth: building the foundations for critical nature infrastructure 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Development, Environmental Improvement Plan, Farming, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Landscape, Natural Capital, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, wildlife and farming
Ock-and-Thames-Landscape-Recovery-Project.-Credit-Freshwater-Habitats-Trust.jpg

By Chris Davis, Natural England’s Deputy Director for Landscape Recovery and Schemes Development At a time when the UK is facing serious environmental challenges such as climate change and loss of wildlife, restoring and protecting our natural capital is one …

Rediscovering the value of water meadows

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Connecting People with Nature, Landscape, Natural England, Nature
Salisbury cathedral as a backdrop to the Harnham water meadows

By Edward Parrott, Senior officer - Agri-Environment Evidence team, Natural England Earlier this year I had the pleasure of joining contractors LUC and industry experts on a visit to Harnham water meadows - a rare surviving example of a centuries-old …

From local to national and back again: place-based support for citizen science

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Evidence, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Science and evidence
An illustrated citizen science brainstorming workshop with members of the public in Bristol by the Natural History Consortium

By Andy Jefferies, Senior Officer for Citizen Science One challenge for the citizen science sector is how to bridge the gap between evidence and experiences which are meaningful at a local scale, and those which are meaningful at a national …

How nature and nuclear can co-exist

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Natural England, Nature, Science and evidence
Sizewell B nuclear power plant in the distance behind natural landscape

By Sean Mahoney, Sizewell C Project Manager and Senior Officer, Major Planning Casework A collaborative approach has delivered environmental protections alongside energy security at Sizewell C nuclear power station. Natural England has worked closely with Sizewell C and environmental stakeholders …

Celebrating 25 Years of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 – and 20 Years of Public Access Rights

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves
Snailsden Reservoir Peak District National Park. Image: David Drake

By David Drake, People and Nature Director This year marks a double milestone in the history of outdoor access in England and Wales: 25 years since the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) was passed, and 20 …

How citizen scientists are helping to close the freshwater data gap

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Education, Natural Capital, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery Network, Science and evidence
With their semi-permeable skin and sensitivity to toxins and water quality, Toads are excellent indicators of healthy pond habitats. Image: Tabitha Roach Osborne.

By Amy Stocking and Matilda Dixon, Higher Officers for Citizen Science Ponds may be small, but they punch well above their weight when it comes to biodiversity, supporting around two-thirds of all freshwater species in the UK. Yet they have …

Building Britain's Future: Why Nature and Growth Go Hand in Hand

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Natural England

By Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England It’s obvious isn’t it. Britain can either build the homes, infrastructure and clean energy systems our growing economy needs, or we can protect our natural environment for future generations. This apparent choice …

Growing stronger together: community action for nature

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Development, Education, Green Infrastructure, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
Children in school uniforms help with planting outside of a school. An adult and child are kneeling in the foreground, digging at the base of a young tree, while another child stands with a watering can.

By David Drake, Director for People and Nature, Natural England The Nature Towns and Cities Partnership established by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Trust and Natural England, brings together organisations across the UK with a shared vision for …

Earls Court: Where Nature Is Set to Take Centre Stage in London’s Next Great Neighbourhood

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Development, Growth, Natural England

By James Scott, Non-Exec Board Member at Natural England and Group Director of Strategy and Planning at Urban&Civic plc If you’ve ever wondered what happens when one of London’s largest brownfield sites is reimagined with a focus on nature, the …

Species Recovery Programme - Call for Ideas Opportunity

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Protected sites and species, Species recovery, Wildlife

By Karen Shelley-Jones - Senior Officer – Funding and Grant Scheme Management and Luke Gill - Senior Officer - Species Recovery Programme Earlier this month, we launched a new call seeking ambitious new ideas for projects aimed at recovering England’s …