Ringing in nature's return: Derby celebrates swift migration with 'Bells for Birds' initiative 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Connecting People with Nature, Education, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Species recovery, Wildlife
Swift in flight against a blue sky backdrop.

By Jo Birch, Senior Officer, Inclusion & Connecting People with Nature, East Midlands Area Team  The joyous sound of church bells rings out across Derby, not to mark the hour or call the congregation to worship, but to celebrate a …

Getting water wise – Shared Standards in Water Efficiency for Local Plans in East Anglia 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Development, Growth, Natural England, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Species recovery
The Shared Standards provide recommendations for Local Planning Authorities to develop Local Plan policies including requiring new homes to be more water efficient (© Water Resources East)

By Dr. Louise Bardsley, Principal Adviser Strategic Solutions, Natural England The East of England is the fastest growing region in England. It’s also the driest. Communities, businesses, farming and nature all need enough water to thrive. But without a fundamental …

Nature for Health: Greening Healthcare Sites for People and Wildlife

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Development, Green Infrastructure, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery Network, Wildlife
© Kate Mainprice (Natural England)

By Lucy Prescott, Health and Nature Senior Officer Restoring nature goes beyond protecting wildlife and increasing biodiversity. It is also about rebuilding everyday connections between people and the natural world. To achieve this, we must broaden our partnerships and engage …

Farming and flooding: how agriculture is working alongside nature to slow the flow in North Yorkshire

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Climate change, Farming, Flood Management, Natural England, Nature-based solutions, Peat

By Emma Stallworthy, Project Officer for Natural England, explains her role in Ousewem Using nature-based solutions to benefit both agriculture and wildlife while reducing flood risk is the aim of an innovative project in North Yorkshire. Ousewem is a local …

The power of DNA: using innovation for nature’s recovery

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Evidence, Monitoring, Nature, Nature Recovery, Protected sites and species, Science and evidence, Species recovery
A Natural England adviser taking a water sample from a pond to monitor DNA

By Andrew Nisbet, Natural England's Deputy Director for Monitoring Natural England is at the forefront of introducing innovative technologies into biodiversity monitoring. Environmental DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the DNA that can be obtained from an environmental sample such as water, …

We're better together - the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Partnership

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Nature Recovery Network, Wildlife
Orchids are blooming in a wet meadow in Chorlton. © D Barlow, Manchester City Council

What is the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Partnership? It seems at first glance that the contrast between the Southern part of Greater Manchester and the Northern part of its neighbouring county Cheshire, is massive. Urban versus rural, grey rather …

Celebrating 60 Years of the Pennine Way: A Legacy of Access, Nature, and Inspiration 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Landscapes, Landscapes and access, Mapping, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
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 …

Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve & Kew Millennium Seed Bank: Sowing Seeds for Nature’s Recovery

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Connecting People with Nature, Education, Mental health and wellbeing, National Nature Reserve, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Science and evidence, Species recovery, Tree Planting, Wildlife
A special event at Aston Rowant NNR with local grassroots walking group. © Nicola Schafer.

By Mick Venters, Senior Reserve Manager at Aston Rowant NNR, Natural England. Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR) is a hidden gem in the Chiltern Hills, and I am fortunate to have spent over twenty years as the Reserve Manager …

Wildlife licensing: enabling development while protecting Nature - annual summary 2024  

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Development, Evidence, Licensing, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Protected sites and species, Species recovery, Wildlife
A bat hunting an insect

By Gemma Ole's, Deputy Director, Natural England Wildlife Licensing Service At Natural England we help balance economic growth with nature protection. Wildlife licensing is a vital tool to enable this. Our licences are broad ranging and allow development and other …

Growing together - how community-led green infrastructure delivers health and climate benefits

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Climate change, Connecting People with Nature, Development, Environment Act, Environmental Improvement Plan, Flood Management, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), Mapping, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Nature Recovery Network
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 …