Up to 99,000 hectares of land in England, from city fringes to wetlands, will be focused on supporting wildlife in five major “nature recovery” projects, the government has said.
Work in the projects will range from converting farmland into chalk grassland to restoring “dewponds” and managing wetlands and other land sustainably.
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Projects will also develop plans to work with communities in cities and deprived areas to improve their access to nature, including creating new green areas and improved footpaths and bridleways.
The Natural England chair, Tony Juniper, added: “Nature recovery can only occur if we take action at scale, and that can only work through partnerships.
In the first year, partners will deliver 11 projects working with landowners, restoring habitats and storing carbon.
The project covers 10,000 hectares, including nearly 1,400 hectares of existing protected areas and priority habitat. »
