Co-benefits of Nature Recovery Programmes

Our programmes are designed to deliver a wide range of co-benefits in addition to nature recovery:            

Addressing the underlying causes of nature’s decline: Each programme aims to not only restore and create habitats but also tackle the underlying causes of biodiversity loss. Examples are unsustainable land and water management, the spread of invasive species, and the degradation of natural habitats due to human activities. 

Benefiting people: Nature recovery has far-reaching health and wellbeing benefits - we aim to reduce health inequalities, particularly in areas where access to green spaces is limited. Our programmes will engage local communities through volunteering, citizen science and nature-based health interventions. They aim to connect people with nature, fostering a sense of stewardship and helping to build healthier, more resilient neighbourhoods. Community-led projects, like our Team Wilder and the Healthier with Nature green social prescribing initiative, are already paving the way.

Advancing knowledge: The West of England is home to leading research institutions like Bath Spa University, the University of Bath, the University of Bristol, and the University of the West of England. We will work with these institutions to gather data, evaluate the effectiveness of nature recovery interventions, and advance scientific understanding of ecosystem and community resilience, involving local communities in our research and monitoring through citizen science. We will also work together on regional communications and public engagement to help increase knowledge, awareness and action for nature.

Building skills: Our programmes aim to build the region’s capacity to deliver greater ambitions for both nature and climate in the future. Chronic underinvestment in the environment sector has resulted in a shortage of skilled people to deliver projects. Growing the green skills base in the West of England is essential for achieving nature’s recovery, and delivering our programmes. We are committed to developing a long-term plan to increase the availability of skills in ecology, data, environmental economics and finance, farming, forestry and land management.

Increasing climate resilience: Our changing climate is already having far-reaching consequences for nature, people and the economy. WENP partners will use nature-based solutions where appropriate to mitigate and adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. Land management plans will take account of climate projections and the importance of connecting habitat to allow for dynamic and adaptable ecosystems. This can be achieved by using nationally available data, for example the Met Office UK Climate Projections, or the Environment Agency's Climate Impacts Tool, alongside locally specific information such as from the Local Authority Climate Service.

Supporting farmers and landowners: The WENP network includes organisations who represent farmers and landowners, such as the National Farmers Union (NFU) and Country Land and Business Association (CLA), as well as partners with considerable experience of working with farmers and landowners, such as FWAG Southwest, Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust. They will be supported to develop projects that are farmer-led, able to offer advice on a one-to-one basis, as well as supporting the creation of Farm Clusters or Moor Associations - building on those which already exist (see map below). These initiatives allow landowners to work together across landscapes, sharing knowledge and accessing larger funding opportunities.

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