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

I'm interested in...

Damson trees at Brockhampton Estate in Herefordshire

We're bringing blossom back 

Since 1900, over half of England and Wales' orchards have been lost. With your help, we want to restore blossom for everyone. You can read about the study we commissioned to delve deeper into the issue and how you can help us to bring blossom back.

Read the news story
A native white-clawed crayfish at Wallington, Northumberland

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.

A ranger and volunteer planting a grafted tree inside a cage in the ochard

Supporting the Queen’s Green Canopy 

This year, we’re supporting the Queen’s Green Canopy at the places in our care to mark the Platinum Jubilee. We’re creating a legacy that honours Her Majesty’s 70-year reign. 70 unique and inspiring Jubilee tree planting projects will take place to mark this significant moment in history.

Discover our Jubilee planting projects
Weaned seal at Blakeney National Nature Reserve, Norfolk

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.

Caring for trees
A small team of gardeners looking after the newly planted trees at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Our tree planting ambition 

Trees are the best natural armour we have against the climate crisis, so we're working hard to plant and establish 20 million of them by 2030. Discover how your support and working with partners is making all of this possible.

Low autumn sun shining through trees across the lake at Wallington, Northumberland

Mapping archaeology to plant trees at Wallington  

We're using aerial mapping technology to identify areas to plant 75,000 trees at the Wallington Estate in Northumberland. The project, funded by the Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund, is uncovering archaeological aspects of the landscape dating back to 2,000 BC. Find out more about how we're using this analysis to inform our work to tackle the effects of climate change.

Children exploring nature at Kingston Lacy

Working towards a green recovery 

With support from the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, we’re kickstarting a green recovery that secures our future with action on climate and the environment, while ensuring everyone can enjoy nature-rich green spaces on their doorstep and access local heritage and shared cultural spaces.

Natural inspiration
Father and daughter looking from a bridge through binoculars for wildlife

Best places to spot signs of spring 

From gambolling lambs to fields of dancing daffodils and the sound of birdsong, there are so many things to love about spring. If you've been waiting eagerly for the season to start, then look out for these signs from nature.

Family in the garden at springtime

Our top spring nature walks 

Now's the perfect time to get outdoors for a spring walk. With dramatic clifftop coastal walks, woodland meanders and rugged mountain scrambles there's plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in nature at the places in our care.

Spotlight on seals
Aerial view of seals and pups on the Farne Islands

Thermal imagery used for annual seal count  

Thermal imagery from a drone will be used for the first time by rangers on the Farne Islands off the coast of Northumberland to help verify seal pup numbers at one of the largest grey seal pup colonies in England.

The new born grey seal pup at Blakeney Point, Norfolk

First grey seal pup of the season at Blakeney Point 

Marking the start of the annual winter wildlife spectacle, the first grey seal pup has been spotted at Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve in Norfolk. The very first seal pup was born at the point in 1988 and since then the site has grown to become England’s largest grey seal colony.

Meet the rangers safeguarding nature

A ranger cutting up a tree

The world of a ranger 

The rangers work to manage the countryside to maintain a natural environment that’s healthy and beautiful with functioning and resilient ecosystems, as well as enabling people to access and enjoy it. Find out more about the world of a ranger.

Gwen Potter, Lead coast and countryside ranger

Gwen Potter 

Gwen Potter, Countryside Manager for Northumberland Coast and Farne Islands, shares her passion for wildlife conservation.

Apple blossom and a honey bee in the fruit orchard at Cotehele, Cornwall

Give back to nature 

More than ever before, nature has been our source of comfort during difficult times. But climate change is accelerating the decline of these green spaces. Nature gives us so much – donate today and help us protect these places and the wildlife that lives there.

Donate now

Find nature on your doorstep

Experience nature through the seasons and spot the UK's native species in their natural habitat

Find outdoor places near you