The UK has announced a new £15 million initiative to revitalize parks and green areas in towns and cities across the country, aiming to restore urban nature and provide local communities with better access to the outdoors.
The Nature Towns and Cities program is a joint project led by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Natural England, and the National Trust.
The funding has been awarded to 19 projects across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Widespread Urban Green Revitalization
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, highlighted the organization’s legacy in supporting public spaces.
“We have invested over £1bn in regenerating over 900 urban parks and green spaces over the last 30 years, helping nature thrive in towns everywhere,” she said.
Birmingham and Poole Lead the Way
Birmingham has been designated the UK’s first accredited Nature City, while Poole has been recognized as the first Nature Town.
These titles reflect ongoing efforts to embed green priorities into local development strategies.
Examples of Award Distribution
One of the larger grants—£850,514—has been allocated to a project in Belfast.
This funding will be used to co-design a nature recovery plan encompassing both the city and its surrounding rural zones.
The biggest grant was awarded to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which secured £999,951—95% of the amount they applied for.
Competitive Application Process
In total, 38 councils applied for the grants, but only 19 were selected.
This underscores the demand for environmental regeneration funding and the project’s emphasis on strong proposals and local partnerships.
Connecting People to Nature
McGuinness emphasized the importance of making nature accessible to all.
“This exciting initiative, working with partners right across the UK, will build on this investment and give millions of people better access to nature close to home,” she said.
With the UK Lottery marking its 30th anniversary last year, the fund’s role in backing environmental and community projects remains central.
Only about 1% of its revenue is retained as profit, making the bulk of its resources available for public benefit.
The Nature Towns and Cities program is another step toward making urban Britain greener, healthier, and more resilient.