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Environmental Improvement Plan

Green Infrastructure: delivering quality of life and environmental benefits for communities

Image shows a lush green canal/waterway running through the centre of a neighbourhood. Red bricked houses stand either side of the new development estate. Lots of trees and bushes grow beside it.

David Drake, Director, People & Nature at Natural England In January 2023, Natural England launched the Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework to support the creation of good quality Green Infrastructure which maximises benefits for people and nature. GI helps local authorities, …

We've enabled thousands of homes in the Tees area - and much more!

A view of some of the saltmarsh wetlands that are part of the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area (SPA)

The Nutrient Mitigation Scheme (NMS) continues with our sixth nutrient credit round now open in the Tees. To date we have offered credits for over 6,000 new homes in the Tees catchment area and have mitigation ready to meet thousands …

National conversation needed on how to turbo-charge Nature recovery while building the homes the country needs

Birds flying over a wetland

England doesn’t have enough houses, and also doesn’t have enough Nature. If we are to succeed in meeting our national needs, we require more of both. For too long we’ve been told that the only way to build more homes …

A high five for everyone driving Nature recovery – but we must not rest on our laurels

Tony Juniper stands in a grassy field with lots of colourful wildflowers growing. A blue sky with white fluffy clouds hangs overhead.

Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England Today marks five years since I became Chair of Natural England, which seems to me an appropriate point at which to take stock of the important progress made towards recovering Nature in that …

The science of Natural England: now and then

Image shows two geological mounds of tall craggy rocks standing on the edge of a grassy cliff. The sea can be seen in the distance. The area is Axmouth To Lyme Regis Under Cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest

By Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist at Natural England Science, evidence and evaluation sit at the heart of Natural England. Our teams work across a range of ecological, earth, economic and social sciences. With a strong focus on collaboration with …

Securing off-site Biodiversity Net Gain: Expert legal perspectives

Sun setting over a biodiverse field, with trees in the background and flora in the foreground

In our third Natural England instructional Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) guest blog, legal professionals offer helpful insights into securing off-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Our guest bloggers are: Penny Simpson, Partner at Freeths Grace Pinault, Associate at Dentons David Short, …

Joining up nature recovery and health priorities

A young boy, wearing a red mac and yellow trousers climbs over a fallen tree within a lush forest

By Ruth Lamont, Principal Adviser in Research Ethics & Dave Bell, Principal Adviser in Health, Wellbeing and the Environment, at Natural England We know that nature, human health and well-being are intrinsically linked, and this week, Natural England has released …

Expert insights: top tips for Biodiversity Net Gain stewardship

Good condition other neutral grassland

Welcome to our second Natural England instructional Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) guest blog. We are pleased to have distinguished experts share their 3 top tips on Biodiversity Net Gain stewardship. They are: Claire Wansbury, FCIEEM FLS, Technical Director at AtkinsRéalis …

Get ready for new Biodiversity Net Gain legislation

A wildflower meadow at the Iford Biodiversity Project, East Sussex

The introduction of biodiversity net gain (BNG) today (12 February 2024) will see the biggest change to planning regulations in decades. This new law as part of the government’s Environment Act will make sure wildlife habitats are left in a …

Wetland restoration: for people and planet

Image shows a common redshank bird standing within a grassy patch with white native flowers growing around it.

By Craig Ralston, Reserve Manager, Natural England World Wetlands Day, an annual awareness day, marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971. The adoption took place in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on …