NT External Affairs

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.

The Palladian Bridge at Prior Park at golden hour, its grand stone columns lit in the evening sun over dark water beneath, with the foliage of green trees framing it in the sunshine.

It’s more important than ever to protect historic buildings and landmarks.

Research shows the deep cultural and emotional connection people across the UK have with their historic landmarks, which are central to their sense of place.

A group of campaigners from the RSPB and partner organisations stand in front of the Houses of Parliament, holding bold signs calling for support for nature-friendly farming. One sign reads “Nature can’t afford a pay cut!” while others say “Farm with nature” and “To grow food, we need nature.” Three people wear oversized bird head costumes, and at the centre, a young woman holds a box showing the petition total: 106,744 signatures. The mood is determined and urgent, highlighting public support for protecting nature’s farming budget.

We’ve just delivered a message to Downing Street, backed by over 100,000 of you.‼️

Farmers, NGOs and the public are standing together to demand action.

UK Government, this is a call you can't afford to ignore.

Any cut now would be a disaster for farming and nature.

The question for the Chancellor and the Prime Minister is do they want to be remembered as the Government that brought nature back into millions of people’s lives? Or do they want to further deprive current and future generations of this essential, universal need?

But as it currently stands, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill risks doing the very reverse, as the Government’s own nature watchdog has pointed out.

With the right planning laws in place, we can restore our dwindling wildlife, increase the green spaces near where people live and build much-needed new homes surrounded by great nature. 🌱

We’re putting MPs on ‘Notice for Nature’, with local areas seeing huge nature declines📢

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill as it stands is an application to demolish wildlife🚨

The Bill must be made #WilderByDesign, or be rejected by Parliament👇

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

Close up of a bee on a bluebell flower. Text over reads, Nature can't afford a pay cut

Many farmers are already showing that farms can be profitable and nature-friendly. But they can’t do it alone.

Alongside the RSPB, we’re calling on the UK Government to invest in nature-friendly farming.

Together we can help grow a brighter future for our wildlife, our farmers, and all of us.

Close up of a bee on a bluebell flower. Text over reads, Nature can't afford a pay cut

Many farmers are already showing that farms can be profitable and nature-friendly. But they can’t do it alone.

Alongside the RSPB, we’re calling on the UK Government to invest in nature-friendly farming. Together we can help grow a brighter future.

Add your name: buff.ly/piAg59i

Graphic which reads: Join us for the most impactful climate and nature lobby in history to demand that this government ACT NOW FOR PEOPLE CLIMATE AND NATURE. Wednesday 9th July 2025. Westminster, London

📢 Get ready to meet your MP and join the most impactful lobby ever for people, climate and nature.

🗓️ 9th July
📍 Westminster, London
🔗 Register now: buff.ly/5hL49Li

#ActNowChangeForever

We can't reverse England's wildlife decline without nature-friendly farming.

That's why I'm backing @nationaltrust.org.uk, @nffn.bsky.social, @rspb.bsky.social, @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social, @green-alliance.org.uk and the NFU in asking the government to support investment in sustainable farming.

Instead of leaving communities even more deprived of wildlife, the Bill must be amended to guarantee protections for both people and nature.

More: buff.ly/8qYJw6h

Today, the Government's own watchdog - the Office for Environmental Protection - has said the Planning Bill will reduce environmental protection.

Ministers must heed this warning.

NFU and green groups unite to oppose farm budget cuts - Farmers Weekly A powerful coalition of farming and environmental groups is urging the Labour government not to slash the agricultural budget, warning that such a move

We were pleased to meet MPs with NFU, Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Woodland Trust & NFFN to warn of the serious risks posed by any cut to the agriculture budget - which supports both a sustainable farming sector & delivery of our legally-binding climate & nature targets. bit.ly/3GxSzOy

No green spaces? No problem.

Even if you're not in the rolling countryside or a village green, blossom can be found anywhere. Urban blossom, with a dramatic backdrop of urban architecture, is perhaps the most striking of all.

#BlossomWatch