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



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Visit our nature reserves
Help us celebrate Natural England's Festival of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) by visiting the nature reserves we look after. The festival runs until October and marks the 70th anniversary of the UK's first NNR.

Refuge created for endangered crayfish
The white-clawed crayfish, one of the UK's most endangered species, has been given a fresh chance of survival thanks to a refuge created at the Wallington Estate in Northumberland. We'll be taking up to 100 of the crustaceans from the River Wansbeck to an old cattle drinking hole, which has been made into an isolated and self-contained area known as an 'Ark' site. The decline of white-clawed crayfish is largely due to the rise of American signal crayfish, which spread disease and monopolise food and habitat.

2021 weather and wildlife review highlights
Extreme weather events and natural disasters punctuate a year that saw a range of climate impacts on nature. We explore how unseasonable conditions, wildfires, storms and warm temperatures have made 'winners' and 'losers' out of the UK's wildlife.
Find nature on your doorstep
Experience nature through the seasons and spot the UK's native species in their natural habitat