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Ponies grazing on Rockford Common, New Forest, Hampshire
Ponies grazing on Rockford Common, New Forest | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Nature and climate

Climate change is the biggest threat to nature and the historic environment. Find out how we're helping wildlife to thrive and working towards sustainability in a changing climate.

Nature conservation

From ancient trees to bees and butterflies, our places are full of life. We're working hard to safeguard nature for years to come.

Baby beaver in middle of green shrubbery gnawing on a branch
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Article

Weather and Wildlife Review 2023 

Climate change presents serious challenges for nature across the UK. Find out how wildlife fared through the seasons in 2023, and what we're doing to address climate and nature crises.

Water vole by a river bank
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Article

State of Nature report 2023: UK wildlife continues to decline 

The State of Nature report for 2023 shows that the abundance of species in the UK has declined by 19 per cent on average since records began in 1970. But while the most important natural habitats are in poor condition, work to protect landscapes and support wildlife has clear benefits for nature, people and the climate.

Beaver swimming in the beaver enclosure at Holnicote Estate in Somerset
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Article

Virtual tour of Holnicote beaver enclosure 

Take an interactive 360° virtual tour of the beaver enclosure on the Holnicote Estate in Somerset. Through building dams, beavers help to slow the flow of water and reduce flooding, as well as holding water in the landscape in times of drought. Despite heat and drought in 2022, the beavers’ enclosure remained a green oasis, a reminder of how crucial nature is as we face more extreme weather events.

Beaver swimming in the beaver enclosure at Holnicote Estate in Somerset
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Article

Beavers released in Northumberland to support climate and nature 

Wallington has reintroduced beavers to the estate in an effort to renew and restore nature in the hope that they will help create a wildlife-rich wetland landscape.

Misty landscape at Craflwyn, Snowdonia, Gwynedd
News
News

Public calls for urgent action on the nature crisis 

The public is demanding urgent change to protect the natural world after the first UK-wide citizens' assembly for nature. Our response to the People's Plan for Nature champions recommendations that will transform nature.

A tree in summer with two main branches. One has bright green leaves and the other has no leaves whatsoever and is just bare branches.
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Article

Restoring woodlands affected by ash dieback 

Ash dieback is a fungal disease affecting the country’s native ash trees. As many as four out of five ash trees may be affected and, where the dying trees could cause a threat to human safety, we need to remove them.

Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) flying from a gap in the wall of an abandoned stone building at night
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Article

Protecting bats at our places  

Learn how we protect the bat populations that live at places we look after, as part of our core values as a conservation charity.     

Climate change and sustainability

Discover how we’re part of the global fight against climate change, the challenges we face with shifting weather patterns and what we’re doing to care for our historic houses and landscapes.

Konik ponies grazing at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
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Helping Wicken Fen adapt to a changing climate 

Conservation work at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is helping vital wetland habitats adapt to climate change. Increasing water flow around the fens will support wildlife during winter and help peat soils store more carbon. Find out about this and other conservation projects.

Two National Trust staff crouching down to inspect the harbour wall at Mullion Cove, Cornwall
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Article

How we're adapting to climate change 

Climate change is the greatest threat to the coastline, countryside and historic buildings in our care. Our new report, A Climate for Change: Adaptation and the National Trust, reveals how we’re tackling its causes and effects and identifying future hazards. From protecting and planting trees to nature-friendly farming, helping people, heritage and nature adapt to a changing climate is at the heart of everything we do.

Clear evidence how the erosion of the cliffs due to climate change threatens the archeological site of the hillfort at Dinas Dinlle, Gwynedd
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How we're tackling climate change 

Climate change is the single biggest threat to the places we care for. Take a look at our environmental pledges as we adapt, reduce carbon emissions and address the damage already done.

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Project

Our work to recover from fires in the Mournes 

We’re carrying out conservation work at the Mournes Mountains in Northern Ireland to help the area recover from damage caused by wild fires and adapt to the effects of climate change. Find out how measures such as conservation grazing, wildlife surveys and new technology are protecting fragile habitats and supporting nature.

Rangers inspecting the landscape at Kinder Scout, Derbyshire
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Preserving our peatland 

Discover the four vital ways peat supports the environment, from carbon store to archaeological record, and see some of the key projects protecting the peatland in our care.

Two sun-chairs stand on sun-parched brown lawn in front of green trees and the buildings of Anglesey Abbey
News
News

New research finds UK underprepared for climate change 

Ahead of the Government’s new National Adaptation Programme, which will set the Government’s climate adaptation agenda for the next five years, we share new research that shows that the UK is 'lagging behind' in preparedness for climate change.

Walkers descending a path down the side of a fell towards the lake in Grasmere, Cumbria

Donate to make a difference

Your support is essential to help us look after nature, beauty and history. Make a donation today, and together we can protect precious places for everyone, forever.