The National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund have unveiled an ambitious £3.4 million initiative to reintroduce nature into urban environments across the UK. This transformative project seeks to create "nature towns" by rewilding city spaces and fostering biodiversity in areas where access to green spaces is limited.
Breathing Life into Concrete Jungles
Over the next three years, the programme will fund innovative schemes designed to bring wildlife back to urban centres while improving community wellbeing. From creating pollinator pathways to establishing miniature wetlands, the initiative will support local authorities and community groups in developing nature-based solutions to urban challenges.
Funding Opportunities for Local Projects
Grants ranging from £25,000 to £250,000 will be available for projects that:
- Create new habitats for urban wildlife
- Connect existing green spaces
- Engage communities in conservation efforts
- Develop innovative approaches to urban biodiversity
A Response to Growing Environmental Concerns
The initiative comes as research shows increasing public concern about nature loss and climate change. With over 80% of the UK population living in urban areas, the project aims to address the growing disconnect between people and the natural world.
"This is about creating oases of nature where people live and work," explained a National Trust spokesperson. "We want to prove that towns and cities can be part of the solution to the biodiversity crisis."
Building on Successful Pilot Schemes
The funding builds on successful pilot projects in several UK cities where innovative approaches have demonstrated how urban spaces can support diverse ecosystems. These include:
- Vertical gardens on office buildings
- Community-managed pocket parks
- Wildlife corridors along transport routes
- School-based nature recovery zones
Applications for the first round of funding will open in September, with projects expected to begin implementation in early 2026.
