NT External Affairs

Sunshine filtering between the autumnal leaves. It creates a glow in a woodland space and feels quite magical.

Nature isn’t a “blocker” – it makes our lives better.

Our coast, countryside, heritage and wildlife underpin our food, water and health and put millions of pounds into the economy. The Government must not weaken the laws that protect them.

We’re proud to support the #NationalEmergencyBriefing on Nov 27 in Westminster.

This event brings together leading scientists, economists & security experts to share the evidence on the climate and nature crisis: www.nebriefing.org

For us, it’s about protecting the places people love.

💧🎉We did it, THANK YOU!

Our Making #SpaceForWater petition reached the 10,000 signatures required to ensure that the Government has to respond to the calls of our river corridor campaign.

Learn more: makingspaceforwater.com

👏W/ @beavertrust.bsky.social, @nationaltrust.org.uk & Woodland Trust

A new-build block of flats against a blue sky

First-time buyers are forced to choose homes in nature-poor areas 🥀

Far too often, affordable = low access to nature 🏠

This leaves younger homebuyers at higher risk of health issues including depression & anxiety❗

Planning reforms must integrate parks & nature into developments👇

buff.ly/NVWciBu

Environment groups are anything but ‘mute’ on the planning bill | Letters Letter: Craig Bennett, Hilary McGrady, Dr James Robinson and Richard Benwell say they have never stopped campaigning on the planning and infrastructure bill’s flaws

We’ve never been quiet about the Planning Bill - we’ve challenged it at every stage and we will continue to do so to protect the wild places we all cherish.

Together with @rspb.bsky.social , @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social & @wclnews.bsky.social, we’ve responded to @GeorgeMonbiot

bit.ly/4qhwEgO

At the National Trust, we’re already seeing the effects intensify month by month—from droughts and wildfires threatening wildlife and gardens, to storms and flooding damaging historic buildings. These are no longer rare events; they are becoming the norm. The UK must build resilience—and fast.”

Setting national adaptation targets is the minimum next step, and the Climate Change Committee is well-placed to provide the expert, tangible guidance needed.

Government told to prepare for 2C warming by 2050 The Climate Change Committee said the UK should make climate change adaptions beyond the Paris Agreement.

The Government deserves credit for seeking expert advice on how the UK can adapt to climate change by 2050. With increasingly frequent and severe weather events driven by climate change, the need for urgent action is undeniable.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tories pledge to scrap landmark climate legislation Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says her party would axe legally binding targets to cut emissions.

Climate change is already damaging the nature, beauty and heritage we care for. Without deep and sustained cuts to emissions, nature faces an even more perilous future and the places people love will continue to suffer.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

These practical, nature-based solutions are part of the answer, but they must be matched by wider action.

Just as Britain led the world during the Industrial Revolution, we must lead again - this time towards a greener economy that safeguards the environment for future generations.

The UK has made important progress in reducing emissions but we must go further and faster.

At the @nationaltrust.org.uk we're restoring peatlands, planting woodlands, generating renewable energy and managing land to lock in carbon and help nature thrive.

Tories pledge to scrap landmark climate legislation Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says her party would axe legally binding targets to cut emissions.

Climate change is already damaging the nature, beauty and heritage we care for. Without deep and sustained cuts to emissions, nature faces an even more perilous future and the places people love will continue to suffer.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrp2k3m3deo

Delighted to see so much support for #NatureTownsAndCities in parliament on Monday evening. Thanks to all who joined us and to everyone involved for their dedication to helping urban nature thrive.

Find out more about our mission to bring nature home to urban communities naturetownsandcities.org.uk

A wren - a small, brown bird - is perched on a bench sprouting from a bush. The background is a mix of green and brown colours.

#WildSummitUK is coming - it takes place two weeks today in Bristol.

Head along to celebrate nature in the UK and discuss the action which must be taken to help restore it

Book tickets here: buff.ly/zjVp0Gl

Photo by Rob Coleman

Last week we dropped by #RHSHamptonCourt to take a #PeatFreePledge – alongside the @Peatfree.bsky.social partnership we are telling Government it’s time to end peat sales.

Bold text over the image of clear blue ocean waters reads "Join us for nature, act now change forever"

Bold text over an image of green trees in a lush grass field reads "Join us for climate, act now change forever"

Bold text over an image of people in colourful jackets, arm in arm, without their faces showing, reads "Join us for climate, act now change forever"

We're joining thousands in Westminster on 9 July to meet MPs and stand for a fairer, healthier, safer future. 🌱💚 Join us! buff.ly/DvPC8sR
#ActNowChangeForever

ACT NOW, CHANGE FOREVER On 9th July, thousands people from every corner of the UK will come to Westminster to tell our MPs: this is a moment for leadership that protects what matters most — our health, our nature, our commun...

In just 2 weeks we’ll be in Westminster asking MPs to act for a fairer, healthier, safer future for all.

Will you join us?

Across the country we are all already taking action, now it’s time for MPs to do the same.

Join us on 9th July to #ActNowChangeForever
bit.ly/3IikL8P

On a sunny day, green grass and green, tall trees frame the image alongside some blue sky. A large home can be seen in the distance

We’re thrilled that the House of Commons Culture Media and Sport Committee is looking into the protection of built heritage.

Photo: Charterhouse, Coventry, by Annapurna Mellor

Last week we celebrated 130 years of the @nationaltrust.org.uk with an anniversary reception at Westminster Abbey College Gardens. We were honoured to have Steve Reed and Lisa Nandy speak about how they will support us to champion and protect nature and heritage on behalf of everyone, everywhere.

Last week we celebrated 130 years of the @nationaltrust.org.uk with an anniversary reception at Westminster Abbey College Gardens. We were honoured to have Steve Reed and Lisa Nandy speak about how they will champion and protect nature and heritage on behalf of everyone, everywhere.

A woman in a high-vis jacket with snippers and a man with snippers in a cap behind her. They're standing amongst wild undergrowth

A green truck on a tree-lined street with mounds of collected rubbish piled on it

A man and a woman pose back-to-back, holding litter pickers and plastic bags. They stand on a grassy shrub-lined path

Phew, what a brilliant Great Big Green Week it's been!

From litter picking to making birdhouses and pop-up second-hand bookshops, we've seen an array of nature-friendly swaps. Whatever action you've taken this week, thank you.

#GreatBigGreenWeek #LetsSwapTogetherForGood

"With UK wildlife still in freefall, we'll be watching the Government's next steps closely, including on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill." (5/5)

"However, this alone will not be enough to solve the problem. This Government was elected with a promise - and a legal obligation - to the public that it would turn around the shocking declines in nature. (4/5)

"Environment Secretary Steve Reed deserves credit for securing this budget in challenging financial circumstances. (3/5)

"The Chancellor has recognised this and listened to the calls of the British public, together with those of the environment and the farming sectors, and maintained the budget for nature-friendly farming. (2/5)

Troutbeck Valley, Cumbria ©National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the
@nationaltrust.org.uk, on #SpendingReview:

"Nature and wildlife aren't nice-to-haves. They underpin our health, our economy, our communities, and the food, water and air we need to survive... (1/5)

A light purple and yellow dusk sky over a darkening sea with bushy grass in the foreground with a sandy path running through it to the beach.

A path running through the valley between two lush green hillsides, dotted with dark green trees.

A path through grass under the canopies of towering oak trees. There are benches dotted throughout the grass in the distance.

Great Big Green Week has begun!

It’s the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. We can all make small swaps, large swaps and swaps that change the system, to make our communities better.

You can find out more here: buff.ly/F7D5T2O

A purple bloom atop a dark green furry bud on a stalk. In the background is an unfocused meadow with purple and yellow flowers.

Let's celebrate nature.

Dunstable Downs is marking Great Big Green Week by celebrating local wildlife and the incredible community efforts helping to protect green spaces.

Find out how to get inspired and make a difference: bit.ly/45HNi1h

#GreatBigGreenWeek #LetsSwapTogetherForGood

A glimpse of Scotney Castle, the rounded turret overlooking a lake, through a view of green trees and bushes with bright pink flowers, and a lawn dotted with many trees in the background.

Scotney Castle is reconnecting with nature.

To mark Great Big Green Week, Scotney Castle is celebrating the most fascinating trees in the Scotney Parkland, how they're taken care of, and their historical, ecological, and environmental value.

#GreatBigGreenWeek #LetsSwapTogetherForGood

Heritage should play a central part of the Government’s plans to promote national renewal, following new research that shows how highly the British public value their local history.