Natural England announces £7.4m of nature recovery projects

An area larger than the size of Hertfordshire is set to be dedicated to fast-tracking nature recovery after Natural England announced six new landscape-scale projects.

Backed by the government with £7.4m in Defra funding, the nature recovery projects will cover 176,000ha of land across England, ranging from the Tees Estuary to the South Downs.

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The land will be used to create rich wildlife habitats and improve climate security for local communities, helping to manage flooding and wildfire risks, as well improving carbon stores.

Species expected to benefit from the nature recovery projects include curlews, short-snouted seahorses, the endangered wart-biter cricket and the elusive twite.

Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, said: “These Nature Recovery Projects will enrich our landscapes for wildlife, develop resilience to climate change, catch carbon and help to clean up air and water.

“They will help restore entire ecosystems, allowing many species of wild animals and plants to spread and thrive.

“They will also enhance the opportunities people have to make the most of the wellbeing benefits that come with connecting to the natural world.”

The projects are expected to make a major contribution to the Nature Recovery Network and to help deliver on the commitments set out in the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan to halt the decline in nature.