Nature Recovery

New Weed Control Handbook Published: A Smarter, Greener Approach to Vegetation Management

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Landscape, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Weed Control
Himalayan balsam on a field edge. Natural England

By Patrick Shannon-Hughes, Environmental Quality for Nature Senior Officer (Agri Chemicals) We’re pleased to release the updated Weed Control Handbook: Guidance for Herbicide Use on Nature Conservation Sites - a long-awaited refresh of the 2002 Herbicide Handbook. This new edition …

Nature Recovery Projects – next steps for growing collaborative action that drives nature recovery

Acting for nature recovery at scale Defra and Natural England invested £7.4 million to initiate twelve landscape-scale Nature Recovery Projects (NRPs) across the country, over the three years of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2022/23-2024/25. Covering over 319,480ha, these projects were …

Numbers of nesting hen harriers in England have risen slightly in 2025

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Hen Harriers, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Species recovery
A hen harrier nest with chicks

By Matthew Heard, National Delivery Director Numbers of nesting hen harriers in England have risen slightly this year, according to data collected by Natural England and partners. Breeding figures and regional breakdown In 2025, Natural England and partners recorded a …

Wildfires: Nature’s role in resisting the spark

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Countryside Code, Landscape, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Wildfire
Fire stops at a wet gully edge in Dove Stone 2018. Credit: Jon Bird (RSPB)

Updated (3 October 2025) By Sallie Bailey, Natural England’s Chief Scientist This year we have witnessed wildfires ravaging England’s uplands and heaths on a historic scale, with prolonged hot and dry weather providing the ideal conditions for blazes lasting weeks. …

Reaching the global final – what a Thiess Riverprize nomination means for nature recovery 

By Helen Kirkby, NE Deputy Director for Cumbria Last night in Brisbane, the Cumbrian River Restoration Partnership Programme didn't win the Thiess International Riverprize, but reaching the final alongside projects from Chicago, Albania and the western USA represents something extraordinary …

Designing and Delivering Woody Habitats to aid Nature Recovery: Six Principles for Success.

Principle 3 – go native: Land art displaying 14 different native trees and scrub species. Credit: Alisa Swanson

By Alisa Swanson, Natural England Creating new woody habitats, whether woodlands, scrub, wood pasture, wooded meadows or wet woodlands, can play a vital role in reversing biodiversity loss and building climate resilience across England’s landscapes. Natural England’s ambition is to …

Thriving Together: Nature, People and Industry in the Tees Estuary

By Vicky Ward, Tees Estuary Nature Recovery Partnership Project Manager It is a bright summer’s morning, as I walk through a striking landscape of contrasts. Through the passing juggernauts and across the brine fields to my right, an abundance of …

How to save 1000 species from extinction?

Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) credit Simon Curson

By Tim Wilkins, Principal Specialist in Species Recovery When a legally-binding target to reduce species extinction risk in England was set by government in 2023: The Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2023, this question – How to save a 1000 …

The Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant Scheme – a Natural England partnership success story

Pearl-bordered fritillary, credit: Devon Wildlife Trust

By James Phillips - Principal Officer – Species Recovery and Species Re-introductions and Karen Shelley-Jones - Senior Officer – Funding and Grant Scheme Management England’s species charm, intrigue, amaze and inspire us, sparking interest and concern in the natural world.  …

24 hour 'bioblitz' at one of England's newest National Nature Reserves

By Karen Faux - Local Nature Recovery Senior at Natural England In July, over 50 Natural England staff and partners came together for a 24 hour species recording event (or ‘bioblitz’) on the recently declared North Kent Woods and Downs …