Natural England has unveiled a new corporate strategy that aims to place nature at the heart of England’s future growth, health, and security
The corporate strategy, “Recovering Nature for Growth, Health, and Security,” outlines how restoring natural systems can go hand in hand with building homes, developing infrastructure, and driving economic prosperity.
A new vision for nature and growth
The Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security plan acts as a shift in how Natural England operates, positioning the organisation as a key partner for sustainable economic development.
Rather than focusing on isolated sites or single species, the plan looks to deliver nature recovery across entire landscapes and seascapes. This landscape-scale recovery will be achieved through collaboration with local communities, businesses, farmers, and developers.
The Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security plan was shaped through engagement with more than 200 organisations across sectors, reflecting a strong emphasis on partnership and shared responsibility.
Nature as a foundation for the economy
Natural England’s new plan shows how healthy ecosystems underpin national prosperity. The organisation points to clear economic benefits: England’s peatlands, for instance, provide water filtration services valued at up to £888 million per year, while access to green spaces contributes around £25.6 billion annually through improved mental and physical health.
By integrating nature-based solutions into future planning and investment, Natural England aims to make protecting the environment a driver of productivity rather than a barrier to growth.
Four key outcomes
The Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security plan sets out four primary outcomes to guide action:
- Recovering Nature – Restoring rivers, wetlands, forests, and other natural systems by tackling the root causes of decline and prioritising large-scale recovery.
- Building Better Places – Embedding nature into homes, infrastructure, and investment decisions to create greener, healthier, and more attractive places to live and work.
- Improving Health and Wellbeing – Expanding access to green and blue spaces and working with health, education, and employment sectors to maximise the benefits of nature for people’s wellbeing.
- Delivering Security through Nature – Promoting sustainable farming, forestry, and fishing to secure food, water, clean air, and greater climate resilience for the future.
Collaboration and investment
A central part of the plan is collaboration between the public and private sectors to increase investment in nature recovery. Natural England will also streamline regulation and empower local partners to deliver projects on the ground.
This approach is already being implemented. As Lead Environmental Regulator for the Lower Thames Crossing, Natural England is working to integrate environmental delivery plans into significant infrastructure development. These plans will help ensure that housing and infrastructure projects contribute to environmental improvement rather than degradation.
Real-world examples
Several ongoing initiatives show the success of this collaborative, landscape-based approach.
- Landscape Recovery projects such as Boothby Wildland are restoring waterways and supporting local jobs through a blend of public and private funding.
- Green Social Prescribing schemes are improving public health by connecting thousands of people to outdoor activities, delivering £2.42 in benefits for every £1 invested.
- The Poole Harbour Nutrient Mitigation Scheme enables new housing development while enhancing soil health, improving water quality, and promoting biodiversity.
- The Bradford and South Pennines Nature Recovery Partnership has restored landscapes across 30,000 hectares, attracted new investment, and brought nature to millions of residents.
A pathway to 2030 targets
Natural England’s Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security plan will help deliver the Government’s statutory targets for nature recovery and its international commitment to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030.
