Wildlife

Water and Wellbeing: The People And Nature Blue Spaces Report

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

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 …

Finding the unfindable: BBC films Natural England's dive team on Cornwall's ancient seabed after the discovery of a new seaweed species

The extensive healthy maerl bed in the Fal Estuary, taken by Natural England divers on the day of filming. Credit Angela Gall - Natural England

By Angela Gall - Marine Senior Officer, Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Area Team Off the south coast of Cornwall, in the cold, clear water, lie some of England's least-known natural treasures: the maerl beds. Earlier this summer, our …

High Court judgment threatens protections for England’s internationally important wildlife sites

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Licensing, Natural England, Nature, Special Protection Area, Wildlife

Natural England intends to appeal a High Court judgment arising from a judicial review brought by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) concerning gamebird release licensing. Gamebird release licensing was introduced in 2021 to protect internationally important species …

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

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 …

Nature and Growth - Reflections from UKREiiF

A man and 4 women sit on individual armchairs on a stage, each with a microphone, engaged in a panel discussion in front of an audience.

By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England In this blog, our Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on her recent attendance at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum and discusses the major role that nature plays in growth and …

Integrating clean power and the natural environment 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Natural England, Nature, Wildlife
Large solar panels in a green field, under a blue sunny sky with a few clouds.

By Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England In this blog, our Chair Tony Juniper reflects on a recent site visit to a solar farm in Essex where he saw first-hand how clean solar energy can be delivered alongside measures to support biodiversity and …

Abbotts Hall: Where Natural England’s New Strategy Comes to Life on the Ground

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Landscape, Landscapes and access, Natural Capital, Wildlife
The coast at Abbotts Hall is a natural transition from scrubland to intertidal saltmarshes. Credit: Zoe Gillard

By Anna Oliveri, Senior Landscape Officer, Natural England   Abbotts Hall Farm on the Essex coast is quietly becoming one of England's most compelling examples of landscape-scale nature recovery in action. In this post, Senior Landscape Officer Anna Oliveri shares …

England Red Squirrel Recovery Strategy

Red squirrel on a branch. Credit: Gary Bruce

By Katherine Walsh – Senior Environmental Specialist for terrestrial mammals within the Chief Scientist Directorate at Natural England England's red squirrel is one of our most beloved native species, yet it has quietly disappeared from most of the country over …

Smarter Planning and Licensing Systems: Delivering Better Results for Bats and People

• A Daubenton's bat hunting an insect at night. Credit: Paul Colley via iStock/Getty Images

By Mike Smith – Deputy Director, Wildlife Licensing and Reform This blog outlines how Natural England is modernising the bat licensing system. It explores how we are building evidence to strengthen the planning system to deliver better outcomes for bat …