Mapping

Imagined bogs and future forests: maps for unlocking the potential of England’s landscapes

Duddon Mosses NNR, looking onto the Duddon Estuary, Cumbria. The maps help us understand where we could restore and connect complex and fragmented Priority Habitats. Credit: Sam Ross, Natural England

By Elizabeth Mitchell, senior officer for engagement and impact, and Chris Burstow, geospatial principal officer, both Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme Where in England could nature do best, and how can we help wildlife move between habitats? Natural England's …

From carbon stores to carbon opportunities: a new map for nature recovery

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Carbon, Ecosystem Services, Mapping, Natural Capital, Natural England, Science and evidence
Lyscombe Nationl Nature Reserve, Dorset, September 2026. Credit Stephen Gledhill

Author: Sonja Schmidt, PhD, Natural England Senior Specialist – Climate Change England's habitats and soils hold vast amounts of carbon, but some places store far more than others, and some have lost much of what they once held. A new …

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 …

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

A new peat map for England 

By Dr Ruth Waters, Director for Evidence, Natural England, and David Jones, Senior Responsible Officer for the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment, Defra England’s peat deposits are one of our most valuable national assets. They’re our largest carbon store, they …

AI4Peat - Innovative use of AI to map and restore our precious peatlands

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Evidence, Landscapes, Mapping, Monitoring, Nature, Peat, Science and evidence

AI4Peat Project team members: Anne Williams, Michelle Johnson, Samuel Richardson, Nick Tomline, Martha Tabor, Phil Shea. Restoring Peatlands Peatlands are among the UK's most valuable ecosystems, playing a crucial role in carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity. However, many peatland …

How new technologies are helping us monitor one of England’s largest grey seal colonies 

A seal and its pup on Horsey Beach. Image: Natural England

By Gabriella Fasoli and Nick Tomline (AI specialists), Emma Milner (marine mammal specialist) and Elizabeth Mitchell (engagement), all on the marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) programme Documenting Norfolk's biggest beach party On a windy day in December, something …