Back in 2010 in their report to government, the ’Making Space for Nature’ panel advocated “bigger, better and more joined up spaces for nature”. Click here. Ten years on, the panel of nature conservation experts, academics and land managers led by Professor Sir John Lawton has written to the Prime Minister calling for immediate action to reverse wildlife declines by committing an additional £1 billion to rebuild nature in England. Click here

They acknowledge that the original Making Space for Nature report, has influenced important government policies, including the 25 Year Environment Plan, which promises the establishment of a Nature Recovery Network. However, they argue that most of the 24 recommendations made in their original report have yet to be enacted, despite being welcomed by government at the time.

The Making Space for Nature panel calls for three urgent actions that would be the focus of £1 billion investment:

1. Better protect and restore our remaining wildlife habitats. Even our most protected habitats, our Sites of Special Scientific Interest, are largely in poor condition.
2. Deliver ecological restoration at scale, notably by establishing 25 large Nature Recovery Areas to form the core of the new Nature Recovery Network.
3. Bring nature to people, by making significant wildlife habitat enhancements in and around our towns and cities.

The letter highlights the role that Nature Based Solutions can play in addressing the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss and argues that restoring habitats is as important for people as it is for wildlife.

Sir John Lawton, who chaired the Making Space for Nature panel, said: “A healthy environment rich in nature is not a luxury, it’s a necessity for our health and prosperity. The habitats that wildlife need to thrive are also what people need for clean air, for flood defence, for natural places to visit that bring inspiration and joy. After a decade of thinking and planning, the time for dithering is over, we now need a decade of action.” Click here to read the letter