This will be the biggest contribution to addressing nature decline that the Trust has made in its history, and 10 times greater than the 25,000 hectares of priority habitat landscapes restored over the past decade.
It will make strategic land acquisitions in support of its goal, with a focus on restoring peatland – which stores more carbon than the forests of Britain, France and Germany combined.
It also plans to improve river water quality, reconnect landscapes, reduce flood risk to many thousands of homes and businesses, and improve the health of enough soil to provide a habitat for one billion earthworms – enough to ring the earth twice.
Director-general Hilary McGrady said: “For 130 years, the National Trust has responded to the crises and challenges of the time. Today, nature is declining before our eyes and climate change is threatening homes and habitats on a colossal scale.
“So we will ramp up our work to restore nature, both on our own land and beyond our boundaries. We’ll work to end inequality of access to green space and cultural heritage. And we will inspire millions more people to take action to protect the things we all need to thrive.”
Alongside stepping up its efforts to tackle the nature and climate crises, the National Trust’s 10-year strategy aims to significantly grow people’s access to nature, beauty and history.
It is inviting towns and cities across the UK to be part of a new programme that will launch in the summer to support them in transforming and growing their networks of green spaces.
Ultimately, it wants to inspire five million more people to care for and take action for nature and heritage in the next decade, and will be launching new volunteering opportunities.
From spring, volunteers can help look after freshwater habitats and species as part of a two-year, £4.2m Freshwater Renaissance project, which aims to restore a functioning network of biodiverse and climate resilient freshwater habitats.
“Our charity’s founders were passionate campaigners who recognised the threats to our natural and cultural heritage, and, against the odds, did something about it,” McGrady continued.
“That same boldness is needed today. The Trust is uniquely placed to do something about these challenges and it’s why we are setting ourselves these ambitious but much-needed goals.”
Image credit: Shutterstock
Chris Seekings is the Deputy Editor of IEMA’s Transform magazine, which is published biomonthly for IEMA members. Chris’s role involves writing sustainability-related news, features and interviews, as well as helping to plan and manage the magazine’s other day-to-day activities.