Explore More for Less: Affordable South East Nature Days Out

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Mental health and wellbeing, National Nature Reserve, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife, Woodland

This summer, if you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for …

Putting Nature at the Heart of Healthcare: My Reflections from Bristol

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Planning
A man and a woman in formal work clothes with hiking boots sit in deck chairs in a greenhouse filled with plants, smiling and facing the camera.

By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England In this blog, NE's Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on her recent visit to healthcare sites in Bristol to explore how partners are incorporating nature into health and wellbeing, and discusses Natural England's …

Otterly Brilliant: Occupational Therapy Supporting Nature-Based Health Delivery and Site Improvements

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Nature-based solutions
A woman and a person in a large otter mascot costume stand next to each other giving a double thumbs up, on a canal path with a canal boat and bridge in the background.

By Esther Smith, Senior Officer, Health and Environment (North East and Yorkshire) This blog outlines the importance of green spaces in improving health and wellbeing, with a focus on occupational therapy, while showcasing some of the amazing projects in this …

Celebrating 75 Years of the Countryside Code!

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Education, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature

By Clare Webb, Countryside Code Project Manager at Natural England.  In this blog, Countryside Code Project Manager Clare Webb reflects on the evolution of the code over the last 75 years, and how her work has changed to accommodate evolving …

Healthy Outdoors: Strengthening the Evidence for Nature Based Health Interventions 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Environmental Improvement Plan, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
4 female volunteers in high vis carrying bags of garden waste.

By Dave Bell, Principal Officer: Health & the Environment, Natural England  As studies continue to show the profound benefits of nature and outdoor activity for public health, the Healthy Outdoors guide has been created to address a critical evidence gap: the need for …

How Biodiversity Net Gain helps people and places thrive

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Biodiversity Net Gain, Development, Growth, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Wildlife
Volunteer in wellies and winter outdoor gear on the bank of a river, climbing away from the river.

By Greg Shaw, Senior Officer – Biodiversity Net Gain (Strategic Solutions and Biodiversity Net Gain Team). Across England, many communities face depleted green spaces and health inequalities. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) can offer a clear link between development, wellbeing and …

Growing stronger together: community action for nature

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Development, Education, Green Infrastructure, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
Children in school uniforms help with planting outside of a school. An adult and child are kneeling in the foreground, digging at the base of a young tree, while another child stands with a watering can.

By David Drake, Director for People and Nature, Natural England The Nature Towns and Cities Partnership established by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Trust and Natural England, brings together organisations across the UK with a shared vision for …

Celebrating five years of the People and Nature Surveys: What we’ve learned about England’s love for the outdoors 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves

By Sheldon Allen, Project Manager, Natural England’s People and Nature Survey Team  Nature and happiness – what's the connection?  What makes you feel happy? For most people in England, it’s time spent outdoors. Our People and Nature Survey for England (PaNS) …

Nature Towns and Cities Programme: Transforming Urban Landscapes for People and Planet 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Nature-based solutions
Two children, one boy and one girl, wearing gardening gloves and reaching into a garden bed with interest.

By Oliver Harmar, Chief Strategy Officer Creating a Legacy of Thriving Urban Nature  With today’s start of the Nature Towns and Cities programme, I'm filled with optimism.  This isn’t just another initiative, it’s a game-changer for how we think about nature …

Supporting Wellbeing and Nature’s Recovery – learning from the 7th Nature Connections Conference

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Education, Green Infrastructure, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
Image of Electric Daisy, an outdoor events space with a covered canopy and lots of plants around the seating.

Human health and nature are deeply interconnected.  However, many people do not feel a strong connection to nature in their day-to-day lives. Strengthening our connection to nature can address shared challenges such as health and wellbeing, drive nature’s recovery and …