Connecting People with Nature

Water and Wellbeing: The People And Nature Blue Spaces Report

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Marine environment, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Science and evidence, Wildlife
Picture of a reservoir surrounded by reeds on one bank, and trees on another bank.

By Fränze Kibowski, Senior Specialist - Social Sciences This blog explains the results of the recent People and Nature Blue Spaces Report, discussing how we interact with places like beaches, rivers and lakes, while looking at how the findings will …

Explore More for Less: Affordable West Midlands Nature Days Out

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

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 our favourite affordable days …

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 …

Where nature strengthens community: celebrating England's first accredited Nature Towns

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature
Photo showing 4 smiling women in smart casual clothing standing in a row looking at the camera, in a field with the coastline in the background.

By Marian Spain, Chief Executive, Natural England In this blog, NE Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on her visit to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), alongside senior leaders from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Trust, to see …

Sherwood Forest’s Major Oak: An ending and a beginning

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Landscapes, Natural England, Nature, Woodland
Major Oak Summer 2025. Credit: Karyn Haw

Karyn Haw, Senior Officer - Nature Recovery Network, East Midlands Area Team Karyn Haw, Senior Officer in Natural England's East Midlands Area Team, reflects on the recent news that Sherwood Forest's iconic Major Oak has died. Drawing on a career …

Celebrating the Nature and Archaeology Near You

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Archaeology, Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Landscape, Landscapes and access, National Nature Reserve, Natural England, Nature Recovery
Wooded Bronze Age barrow at the entrance to Ravensburgh Castle hillfort at Hexton in the North Chilterns. Credit: Ian Marshman.

By Ian Marshman, Senior Officer - Historic Environment National Delivery at Natural England.  In this blog, Ian Marshman reflects on An Evening With Natural England’s Archaeologists held on 24th June and looks forward to this summer’s Festival of Archaeology. This year …

West Midlands Swift Academy – Connecting People and Swifts in Urban Spaces 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Birds, Connecting People with Nature, Education, Natural England, Nature, Species recovery, Wildlife
Close up photo of a small light brown bird in flight against a blurred gray background.

By Chloe Hardman, Senior Project Manager, West Midlands Area Team   In this blog, Chloe Hardman discusses swifts, and the amazing work being done to protect them within communities in the Midlands. When was the last time an animal made you …

Unlocking the geography of health and deprivation: two enhanced analytical tools launch today

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Evidence, Green Infrastructure, Mapping, Natural England, Nature
Image shows a neighbourhood that has implemented good GI. A green park with a pathway runs through it, a clear blue sky hangs overhead. The trees and grass are lush and vibrant

By Sarah Hammonds, Urban Greening Senior Officer This blog discusses the launch of two new tools: the Index of Multiple Environmental Deprivation (IMED) and the Environmental Equity Index (EEI). Built collaboratively over 18 months, they map environmental pressures and health …

Growing Green: How England's Cities are Putting Nature at the Heart of Development

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Connecting People with Nature, Development, Green Infrastructure, Natural England, Nature, Nature-based solutions, Parks, trails and nature reserves
A group of 10 people (mixed gender) stand together smiling outside of an old building with trees and shrubs.

By Nicola Brown, Senior Officer, Green Infrastructure  This blog explores the amazing green infrastructure work being done across the UK and Europe to ensure that our towns and cities are resilient enough to cope with the effects of climate change. …

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 …