Green Infrastructure

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 …

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 …

Where nature strengthens community: celebrating England's first accredited Nature Towns

Photo showing 4 smiling women in smart casual clothing standing in a row looking at the camera, in a field with the coastline in the background.

By Marian Spain, Chief Executive, Natural England In this blog, NE Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on her visit to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), alongside senior leaders from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Trust, to see …

Unlocking the geography of health and deprivation: two enhanced analytical tools launch today

Image shows a neighbourhood that has implemented good GI. A green park with a pathway runs through it, a clear blue sky hangs overhead. The trees and grass are lush and vibrant

By Sarah Hammonds, Urban Greening Senior Officer This blog discusses the launch of two new tools: the Index of Multiple Environmental Deprivation (IMED) and the Environmental Equity Index (EEI). Built collaboratively over 18 months, they map environmental pressures and health …

Growing Green: How England's Cities are Putting Nature at the Heart of Development

A group of 10 people (mixed gender) stand together smiling outside of an old building with trees and shrubs.

By Nicola Brown, Senior Officer, Green Infrastructure  This blog explores the amazing green infrastructure work being done across the UK and Europe to ensure that our towns and cities are resilient enough to cope with the effects of climate change. …

Integrating clean power and the natural environment 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Natural England, Nature, Wildlife
Large solar panels in a green field, under a blue sunny sky with a few clouds.

By Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England In this blog, our Chair Tony Juniper reflects on a recent site visit to a solar farm in Essex where he saw first-hand how clean solar energy can be delivered alongside measures to support biodiversity and …

Why Nature Close to Home Matters: Evidence from the People and Nature Survey 

By Lydia Dixon, People and Nature Deputy Director, Natural England  A daily dose of nature boosts physical and mental health, strengthens communities, and can save the NHS millions every year. These benefits are often greatest for people in nature-deprived communities, who gain disproportionately from …

Natural England’s Chief Scientist reflects on the Science, Evidence and Analysis for nature recovery

By Professor Sallie Bailey, FICFOR, BES On 4 December, the Royal Armouries in Leeds hosted some leading voices in nature recovery. Thought leaders and innovators from environmental NGOs, academia, finance, infrastructure and local government joined Natural England at our Science, …