Connecting People with Nature

Rising from the valley: a new sustainable woodland centre takes shape at Yarner Wood

Artistic impression of new woodland centre project, East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths. Credit: Chris Harbut, Natural England

By Chris Harbut, Reserve Manager, Devon National Nature Reserves Tucked into a steep-sided Dartmoor valley, a new woodland centre is taking shape at Yarner Wood, built almost entirely from timber grown in the surrounding landscape. In this post, we share …

Showing up together: why good health starts long before you reach a hospital

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature
Family cycling along a coast path.

Earlier this month, national bodies including Natural England, Sport England, Arts Council England and NHS England met at the Cabinet Office to ask how they can work together to support local leaders in creating the conditions for good health. Read this post to find out more.

Transforming towns and cities for people and nature

Family enjoying greenspace. Credit: John Millar National Trust

By Chloe Fay, Principal Officer for Urban Greening and Nature Towns and Cities Nature Towns and Cities is a UK-wide movement helping urban areas become greener, healthier and more connected to nature. Recent learning events in Sunderland and Bristol brought …

Why I brought Europe's infrastructure and nature network to Bristol 

The Infrastructure and Ecology Network Europe came to the UK for the first time this September, marking its 30th anniversary. Louise McGowan reflects on bringing the conference to Bristol, lessons from colleagues in more than 40 countries, and why nature must be regarded as infrastructure.

Where communities and nature meet: lessons from Pear Tree Park 

By Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England In this blog, NE Chair Tony Juniper reflects on his recent visit to Pear Tree Park in Ealing with the Deputy Mayor Mete Coban to talk about the importance of green spaces for …

Protecting the Thames Basin Heaths: evidence from 15 years of the SAMM Project

By Zoe Shorter, Project Manager for the SAMM Team, Thames Solent Area Team This blog explains the findings of an independent evaluation of the 15-year Thames Basin Heaths SAMM Project. Evidence suggests the project is successfully mitigating recreational pressure on …

Leading the way in Greater Manchester – bringing people, nature, connectivity and growth together

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

Lucy Abram, Deputy Director of the Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside Team CyanLines is a bold plan to link and transform Greater Manchester’s green and blue spaces - and it's just celebrated its first birthday. This blog explores how Greater Manchester is putting nature at the heart of its …

Why beauty still matters: reflections on a career spent fighting for our finest landscapes

Marian Spain, Tony Juniper and Navroza Ladha with the Surrey Hills and Yorkshire Wolds project teams and the official signed and sealed designation Orders.

By Marian Spain, Chief Executive, Natural England As she nears the end of her career at Natural England, Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on 40 years working with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from their early days as planning tools …

Explore More for Less: Affordable South East Nature Days Out

This summer, if you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for …

Explore More for Less: Affordable Southwest Nature Days Out

If you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for our favourite affordable days out in …