Transforming towns and cities for people and nature

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Green Infrastructure, Natural England, Nature, Nature Towns and Cities, Wildlife
Family enjoying greenspace. Credit: John Millar National Trust

By Chloe Fay, Principal Officer for Urban Greening and Nature Towns and Cities Nature Towns and Cities is a UK-wide movement helping urban areas become greener, healthier and more connected to nature. Recent learning events in Sunderland and Bristol brought …

Have your say: A closer look at Norfolk’s Environmental Delivery Plan

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Development, Environmental Delivery Plan, Growth, Natural England, Nature Restoration Fund, Nutrient Neutrality
Rockland Broad, Yare Broads and Marshes SSSI, Norfolk. Credit: Peter Wakely

By Brad Tooze, Director, Nature Restoration Fund The Nature Restoration Fund provides a new way to support development while delivering larger-scale improvement for nature. It focusses on achieving an overall benefit for nature, rather than maintaining the status quo. The …

Why I brought Europe's infrastructure and nature network to Bristol 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Nature, Nature Recovery, Nature-based solutions

The Infrastructure and Ecology Network Europe came to the UK for the first time this September, marking its 30th anniversary. Louise McGowan reflects on bringing the conference to Bristol, lessons from colleagues in more than 40 countries, and why nature must be regarded as infrastructure.

Working together sustains Hen Harrier numbers in 2026

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Evidence, Hen Harriers, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Science and evidence
Hen Harrier in the air

By Matt Heard, National Delivery Director Hen Harriers are one of the UK’s most distinctive birds of prey and, after decades of decline, have gradually returned to northern England as their population has recovered. Natural England and its partners are …

SSSIs: A Golden Thread Through My Career

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Farming, Land Use, Landscape, Natural England, Nature
Marian Spain with a field behind her.

In this blog, Marian Spain reflects on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) as a golden thread through her time as Chief Executive of Natural England. Highlighting Dearne Valley Wetlands, West Penwith Moors and Downs, and Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast, Marian shows how SSSIs have evolved from academic curiosities into the backbone of nature recovery, …

Marian Spain - from first conversations to Landscape Recovery: a career in the field

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Farming, Landscape, Natural England, Nature, Species recovery, Wildlife
river bank surrounded by trees

In this blog, Marian Spain reflects on Landscape Recovery, the ambitious agri-environment scheme uniting farmers, NGOs and investors across whole landscapes for 20-year commitments. Highlighting projects like Upper Duddon, Boothby and Evenlode, Marian shows how nature restoration and farm resilience combine to deliver food security, climate benefits and thriving rural communities.

Success builds on success for newts and developers 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Licensing, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Wildlife

By Stephanie Bird-Halton, Director - National Delivery at Natural England  The 2025/26 Annual Monitoring Report for Natural England’s District Level Licensing (DLL) for great crested newts has just been published. This blog explores the successes so far and shows that …

Tackling drought: why nature-based solutions are key to a resilient future

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Evidence, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Wildfire

By Oliver Harmar, Natural England's Chief Strategy Officer This blog explains how climate change is affecting England, with a focus on drought and wildfire, while suggesting the actions that we can take to restore the natural landscapes that protect us …