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 …

Natural England response to Badger Trust and Wild Justice judicial review decision’

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Licensing
Image of 'Natural England' logo.

On 16th October, the High Court decided against an application by Natural England to increase the amount of costs that claimants, The Badger Trust and Wild Justice, should pay back to Natural England from £10,000 to £30,000 and £20,000 respectively, in the …

Celebrating Green Infrastructure Progress: Major Mapping Database Update Launched

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Development, Mapping, Natural England, Nature, Science and evidence
Screenshot showing the urban habitat mapping.

By Martin Moss, Senior Officer - Green Infrastructure Mapping Team As recognition grows of the importance of nature to our health and wellbeing, understanding green infrastructure provision is vital to ensuring everyone can benefit from nature wherever they live. Natural …

More than the sum of our parts: professionals and citizen scientists working together to transform evidence collection

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Connecting People with Nature, Education, Evidence, Mapping, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Science and evidence, Uncategorized

We’re in the middle of a step change for national-scale environmental evidence in England. In recent years, the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme has allowed us to create and upgrade maps and data products like the England Peat …

A Landmark Year for England’s Fungi

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Evidence, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Protected sites and species, Science and evidence, Species re-introductions

From international pledges to pioneering reintroduction projects, it’s been an exciting year for England’s fungi. Natural England Mycologist, Matt Wainhouse, reflects on remarkable year for fungal conservation. Fungi on the global agenda Fungi have often missed out in the global …

Experience and expertise advising Natural England’s Board:  Natural England’s Landscape Advisory Panel after three and a half years. 

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Green Infrastructure, Landscape, Landscapes and access, Natural England
Landscape Advisory Panel members, with Natural England staff, during their July 2025 meeting, in Winchester

By Co-Chairs Dame Caroline Spelman and Sarah Mukherjee MBE. Together, we have the pleasure of Co-Chairing Natural England’s Landscape Advisory Panel (NELAP), Sarah as our external Co-Chair, drawing upon her long experience, including as a Member of Julian Glover’s Landscapes …