Nature Recovery

A shared picture of progress: new Defra and Natural England evidence shows 77,638 hectares of habitat target delivery

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Habitat, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery
Planted hedgerow gaps. Credit: Peter Roworth

By Alice Howard, Senior Data Scientist Defra and Natural England have published the 2026 habitat target metric, showing that action has been undertaken on 77,638 hectares to create or restore wildlife-rich habitat across England since January 2023, nearly double last …

Supporting the return of white‑tailed eagles to Exmoor

White-tailed eagles hunting as a pair. Credit: Ainsley Bennett

By Roxanne Gardiner, Senior Officer, Natural England Wildlife Licensing Service and Olivia Beatty, Higher Officer, Wessex Area Team Natural England has issued a licence enabling the next phase of white-tailed eagle reintroductions in southern England, permitting the release of up …

England Red Squirrel Recovery Strategy

Red squirrel on a branch. Credit: Gary Bruce

By Katherine Walsh – Senior Environmental Specialist for terrestrial mammals within the Chief Scientist Directorate at Natural England England's red squirrel is one of our most beloved native species, yet it has quietly disappeared from most of the country over …

Healthy Land, Secure Future: A Land Use Framework for Nature, Climate and Communities

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Growth, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Planning
Landscape shot showing a path through two stone fences with green fields either side in the Yorkshire countryside. The sky is bright blue and sunny and a flock of birds are in flight.

By Hannah Wood, Strategy Deputy Director, and Fin Rylatt, Land Use Framework lead,  Natural England In this blog post, we explain how the new Land Use Framework sets out a path to clearer, more integrated ways of managing England’s land. The new Framework shows how nature, food production, clean energy and housing can complement each …

Growing trees and farming together for nature recovery – new agroforestry principles launched

Veteran cherry trees, Alfrick, Worcestershire. Credit: Geoff Newman

By Alisa Swanson, Natural England Agroforestry — the practice of combining trees with farming — is gaining renewed momentum as a practical way to increase tree cover and restore nature without sacrificing productive land. This post explores how Natural England …

Smarter Planning and Licensing Systems: Delivering Better Results for Bats and People

• A Daubenton's bat hunting an insect at night. Credit: Paul Colley via iStock/Getty Images

By Mike Smith – Deputy Director, Wildlife Licensing and Reform This blog outlines how Natural England is modernising the bat licensing system. It explores how we are building evidence to strengthen the planning system to deliver better outcomes for bat …

A Rare Fungi Discovery at Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve: The First UK Sighting of the Blue-Based Earthtongue

Yew tree at Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

By Liz Frost, frequent visitor and fungi specialist, with Rachel Guy, Kingley Vale NNR Reserve Manager In mid-December 2025, amateur fungi enthusiast Liz Frost made an extraordinary discovery at Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve in West Sussex — spotting a …

The First Five‑Year Evaluations of Strategic Licensing for Great Crested Newts

Close-up of a male great crested newt (Triturus cristatus)

The first ever five-year evaluations of strategic licensing for great crested newts have just been published. This blog, written with NatureSpace Partnership, explores the successes so far and shows that the schemes are creating high‑quality habitat for great crested newts, …

Landmark for Nature recovery receives the royal seal of approval

Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds, Tony Juniper and His Majesty, King Charles III at the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve

By Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England Nature recovery has taken a major step forward this week with the unveiling of one of the country’s most important National Nature Reserves by a long-standing champion of the natural world – His …

Defining Success for Wildlife: What Does "Thriving" Really Mean?

Pine Marten. Credit: Robert Cruikshanks

How do we know when a species is truly thriving, rather than just surviving? This is the question Natural England has been working to answer. We've now published new definitions that set out exactly what success looks like for four …