On 11 September 2025, the UK’s first Wild Summit saw leaders of the West of England Combined Authority and the four unitary authorities make a landmark joint commitment: nature will be central to the region’s economic future.

The West of England Growth Strategy (publication 24 September 2025) will embed nature recovery as a driver of prosperity, resilience, and wellbeing — following the region’s pioneering step as the first in England to publish a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) in 2024.

The West of England Nature Partnership (WENP) has played a central role in making this possible — convening partners, shaping priorities that underpin the LNRS, and evidencing the value of nature to our region.

This milestone confirms the West of England as a national leader in nature-positive growth. For WENP, it marks a significant step towards our vision of a thriving and well-connected natural environment in the West of England that underpins a healthy and resilient society and economy.

Read the full press release from the West of England Combined Authority and councils.

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