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Parks, trails and nature reserves

Celebrating 30 years of the National Lottery supporting nature recovery projects

Bluebells by the River Rede in Northumberland (Image courtesy of Abi Mansley)

By Adelle Rowe, Natural England Director of External Affairs Today sees the 30th anniversary of the National Lottery and Natural England is reflecting on the transformative role lottery funding has played in projects that protect and restore nature and give …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Magic of Heathland Summers: Nightjars, Nature Recovery, and the Future of our Landscapes

Image shows a nightjar bird, crouching low upon a wooden log. There are lots of grasses and other brown plant life behind it.

Victoria Hawkins, Heathland Connections Nature Recovery Project Senior Advisor, Natural England. Heathland Connections is an inspiring Nature Recovery Project and I feel fortunate to spend the best part of my day working on it. In this post, I want to …

30 by 30: a boost for nature recovery

Image shows a large tree standing within a lush green forest.

Written by James Markwick Principal Adviser, Biodiversity Policy  After a year of extreme weather events in which many climate records were broken, world leaders met in Dubai to discuss tackling climate change at COP28, with the hope of keeping alive …

LIFE in the Ravines: planting for the future

The team climb a tall grassy hill. There is fallen snow or frost coating the ground. A blue sky hangs overhead, and rolling hills in the distance, all covered in white coating.

It is no easy feat, hefting heavy gear across rugged terrain, with young, tender saplings in tow. But that’s exactly the task of our amazing woodland restoration teams as they set about tree planting in the autumn and winter seasons. …

The Countryside Code: CBBC Newsround

In the image, CBBC Newsround presenter, Shanequa Paris, stands in front of a small group of primary school children, who are sitting on a bench. One child is sat within a wheelchair. The children wear high visibility jackets. Around them, the camera and sound crew hold cameras and boom mics. All are within a small park and discussing the Countryside Code.

By Bruce Cutts Senior Advisor, Natural England The Countryside Code is a guide to the outdoors. Whether you’re in the countryside, enjoying the coast, our waterways or an urban park, it’s there to help guide all of us through nature. …

How new fire management partnerships are helping nature to recover at Hatfield Moors

Hatfield Moors - photo shows the moors recovering with native plants springing up across the moor

Almost three years on from a serious wildfire at Hatfield Moors near Doncaster, nature is in recovery thanks to an ever-stronger partnership between Natural England and South Yorkshire and Humberside Fire and Rescue Services. A new, jointly written Wildfire Management …