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Mental health and wellbeing

Nature Connectedness: Creating a network of champions across Cumbria

There has been a significant decline in the amount of time children and young people spend playing outside, and alongside this we have seen declines in mental and physical health. Access to, and relationships with nature can play an important …

Shaun the Sheep: a visit to Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve

By Stephanie Wilson, Reserve Manager, Thames Solent Team at Natural England Here at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR), conservation grazing is one of many management tools we use to look after the site. You could argue having a conservation …

Biodiversity Net Gain: delivering benefits for health

A pond that has been installed at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service site in York. (Image courtesy of Alexis Percival)

This Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) guest blog explores the essential role of nature in promoting overall health. Experts highlight its benefits for mental and physical well-being. They also discuss the broader benefits of integrating BNG into project planning from the …

All Smiles for Nature and Health in the Humber Region 

Esther Smith, Senior Officer, Health and Environment (Natural England Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Area Team) and Anthony Hurd, Programme Manager (Green Social Prescribing, HEY Smile Foundation)  Imagination and collaboration go a long way in helping us to develop new and …

Reclaiming the Narrative: Celebrating Heritage and Connection to Nature

Michelle Mangal, Senior Manager, Connecting People with Nature team As we celebrate Black History Month this October, the theme “Reclaiming the Narrative: Reclaiming Connections with Nature,” feels more relevant than ever. At Natural England, we’re proud to highlight the fantastic …

Testing the Miyawaki Method in Our Urban Greenspaces

A project officer stands within the patch of newly planted trees

By Louise Butfoy, Trees Outside Woodland Project Officer, Kent Country Council As a Project Officer at Kent County Council, I’ve been working on the Trees Outside Woodlands project since its inception in October 2020. The project is funded by HM …

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, …

Thriving Together: Nature and Community

Image shows Earnse Bay, a bright blue sky hangs overhead, with wispy clouds stretching into the distance. A brown sandy shore can be seen for miles. A group of people are stood in the distance, exploring the sand and dunes.

Image: Natural England At the edge of Barrow-in-Furness, on the north-west coast of England, lies the island of Walney. A wild and windy landscape, it features some nationally rare and important habitats. It is linked to the much larger Morecambe …

BNG lessons learned with Local Planning Authorities

Image shows a few newly built houses at a development site in Thakeham. A pond is at the forefront of the image with green grassy land around it and lots of vegetation, allowing for nature to thrive. A beautiful clear blue sky hangs overhead.

By Ruth Andreyeva, Director of Land, Water and Seas strategy Biodiversity net gain (BNG) became mandatory in England earlier in 2024, after many years of collaboration across industry and the public sector. We celebrate this milestone wholeheartedly, but we’re not …

Our Natural Health Service

Image shows Natural England’s Chief Operating Officer, Oliver Harmar, Senior Occupational Health Therapist, Tracy Metcalf and the Care Trust’s Chief Executive, Therese Patten. They stand together on a NHS site, all hold gardening tools, ready to get to work.

By Esther Smith, Senior Adviser, Health and Environment, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Area Team The links between health and nature have arguably never been clearer. The healing power of nature is taking centre stage for people’s health and nature’s recovery …