Connecting People with Nature

Unlocking Nature for All

A group photo in a field. Some people are standing, others are seated in a variety of mobility aids and all terrain vehicles. All are smiling.

By Val Woods, Centre for Outdoor Accessibility Training (COAT) Lead Officer, Natural England I consider myself fortunate to be working on a fantastic project which is based at the beautiful Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR). I manage the Centre …

Supporting Wellbeing and Nature’s Recovery – learning from the 7th Nature Connections Conference

Image of Electric Daisy, an outdoor events space with a covered canopy and lots of plants around the seating.

Human health and nature are deeply interconnected.  However, many people do not feel a strong connection to nature in their day-to-day lives. Strengthening our connection to nature can address shared challenges such as health and wellbeing, drive nature’s recovery and …

Ringing in nature's return: Derby celebrates swift migration with 'Bells for Birds' initiative 

Swift in flight against a blue sky backdrop.

By Jo Birch, Senior Officer, Inclusion & Connecting People with Nature, East Midlands Area Team  The joyous sound of church bells rings out across Derby, not to mark the hour or call the congregation to worship, but to celebrate a …

Nature for Health: Greening Healthcare Sites for People and Wildlife

© Kate Mainprice (Natural England)

By Lucy Prescott, Health and Nature Senior Officer Restoring nature goes beyond protecting wildlife and increasing biodiversity. It is also about rebuilding everyday connections between people and the natural world. To achieve this, we must broaden our partnerships and engage …

Celebrating 60 Years of the Pennine Way: A Legacy of Access, Nature, and Inspiration 

Malham Cove, Yorkshire © www.nationaltrails.co.uk

By David Drake, Director for People and Nature, Natural England  On 24 April 2025, I had the privilege of joining a remarkable celebration - the 60th anniversary of the Pennine Way. As Britain’s first National Trail, the Pennine Way remains …

Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve & Kew Millennium Seed Bank: Sowing Seeds for Nature’s Recovery

A special event at Aston Rowant NNR with local grassroots walking group. © Nicola Schafer.

By Mick Venters, Senior Reserve Manager at Aston Rowant NNR, Natural England. Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR) is a hidden gem in the Chiltern Hills, and I am fortunate to have spent over twenty years as the Reserve Manager …

Growing together - how community-led green infrastructure delivers health and climate benefits

Hands holding seedlings. © Pexels/ Shvetsa

In Britain's increasingly urban landscape, where 85% of the population lives in towns and cities, green infrastructure has become essential for collective wellbeing. Yet one-third of people cannot access quality natural spaces within 15 minutes of home - a deficit …

Creating Nature Towns and Cities conference

Nature Towns and Cities is a partnership between Natural England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Trust working to ensure everyone in the UK can access the benefits of nature and green spaces.  We're delighted to invite you …

Wild in the City - the Cambridge Nature Network

River Cam near Logan’s Meadow. © Nick Rance, Natural England

By Justin Tilley, Principal Manager, West Anglia team We often talk of ‘being in nature’ as if it’s a special place, away from our everyday world. In Cambridge, Natural England is supporting a major initiative that’s helping wildlife prosper in …

Two more years: extending ambitions for Nature recovery

Tony walks with King Charles along a path in the Lincolnshire NNR. It's a beautiful sunny day, the King wears a light beige coloured suit. Tony has a blue shirt - he carries a pair of binoculars in his hand.

By Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England I was delighted to be invited to serve a third term as Chair of Natural England and look forward to continuing to lead the organisation as it adopts and implements a new …