Collaborative monitoring helps confirm positive impact of nature-friendly farming for butterflies 

By Susanna Phillips, Principal Officer – Chief Scientist Directorate, Natural England  Research published recently in the Journal of Applied Ecology highlighted the positive impact that agri-environment schemes can have on butterflies. Agri-environment schemes are a key environmental policy mechanism in …

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 …

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 …

From fences to freedom: England’s continuing beaver journey

By Stuart Otway, Principal Officer in Natural England’s Complex Cases Team and Delphine Pouget, Principal Officer in Natural England’s Species Recovery & Reintroductions Team In February 2025 Defra published its landmark policy on the wild release and management of beavers …

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 …

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 …

Happy holidays for you and your dog

A man sits on an outdoor picnic table seat, facing the camera and smiling. His dog sits on the table top, next to him, also looking at the camera. In the background there are green hills, and cloudy sky.

By Steve Jenkinson, Access and Countryside Advisor to the Kennel Club I travel all over England with my dog Teal, working for the Kennel Club and Natural England to make great places for people and nature – and that includes …

Nurturing Cumbria's Hidden Gem: East of Eden Nature Recovery Project

By Katharine Milnes, East of Eden Nature Recovery Project Senior Advisor A Landscape of Contrasts Venture east of the M6, away from Cumbria's famous Lake District mountains, and you'll discover Cumbria's own Eden. Here, the wide, fertile valley of the …

Crayfish clawing their way back in Nottinghamshire: A conservation success story in the making

Bare hand holding a crayfish above a blue bucket.

By Danielle Greaves, Higher Officer - Species Reintroduction and Recovery, Natural England Hidden beneath the surface of Nottinghamshire's rivers and streams lives an increasingly rare species – the white-clawed crayfish. As the UK's only native freshwater crayfish, these creatures play …

Unlocking Nature for All

A group photo in a field. Some people are standing, others are seated in a variety of mobility aids and all terrain vehicles. All are smiling.

By Val Woods, Centre for Outdoor Accessibility Training (COAT) Lead Officer, Natural England I consider myself fortunate to be working on a fantastic project which is based at the beautiful Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR). I manage the Centre …