5 June 2025: Creating Nature Towns and Cities conference
A free online conference for local government, public sector, voluntary and community leaders working together for greener, thriving and more prosperous UK towns and cities. Book your place
Leading voices
Influential speakers get to the heart of why we need nature in urban spaces
Topical discussions
A deep dive into the vital role of people and partners in local decision-making
Flexible formats
Choose from peer-to-peer showcases, hands-on learning, workshops and more
New resources
Evidence, guidance and expertise to support your work
Skills building
Practical tips and tricks to make positive change in your town or city
Networking
Table hop, join a chat or simply observe as you work the room in real time
Case studies
The latest and greatest work to bring nature into every neighbourhood
Immersive platform
Face-to-face feel of an in-person conference, slippers optional
An agenda for change
Urban landscape-scale change to benefit people and nature requires ambitious leadership and collaboration.
This free, one-day online conference is designed to support leaders at all levels from local government, public sector, voluntary and community organisations to do just that. The day will also be a chance to learn more about Nature Towns and Cities.
Scroll down to see highlights from the agenda and speaker line-up. Or click the button below to see the full details of the day.
Highlights from the agenda
Keynote speakers
Leading voices
The conference kicks off with a series of cross-sector voices, getting to the heart of why we need nature in urban spaces. Hear from Baroness Hayman (Minister for Access to Nature) about urban greening in government policy, Councillor Sam Lux on improved access to nature in Nottingham and James Scott (Urban&Civic) about the importance of networks in positive change-making.
Panel
Urban green space matters
When nature lives nearer, we all live better. Our speaker panel including David Luckin (Co-op), Lisa Dodd Mayne (Sport England) and Paul Lawrence (Edinburgh City Council) will unpick this statement through the lens of a variety of sectors and organisations. There will be a chance to ask questions too.
Discussion
People power
A group discussion including Kersten England CBE (Bradford City of Culture), Tayshan Hayden-Smith (environmental activist) and Chantell Lindsay (conservationist and presenter) on the power of working together, with practical steps to get the most out of inclusivity, partnerships and collaboration in your town or city.
Networking
Connect and reflect
Work the virtual room with a chance to meet and chat with other conference attendees. Join a table, chat with speakers and the Nature Towns and Cities programme team, or take a moment to yourself and have a break.
Flexible formats
Interactive sessions
Choose from a series of session formats to suit your learning style.
Project showcase
Sharing best practice
Discover tried and tested solutions that could help transform your town or city. Representatives from six projects across the UK including Eastside Greenway, Belfast and Enfield Blue and Green spaces strategy reveal how they’ve delivered change to support nature and tackle climate change. They’ll share learnings and reflect on the benefits felt by people, place and community.
Topical discussion
Spotlight on people and partners
Interactive sessions put the spotlight on people and partnerships in decision-making. We’ll look at the steps to engage, inspire and support communities, and what’s possible around shared decision-making. With examples from Nextdoor Nature, Sow the City and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and others, discover new delivery models and how they can be used in your local place.
Skills building
Hands-on learning
Creative skills workshops designed to send you away with practical tips and tricks to make positive change in your town or city. These will be run by an expert facilitator. Check back for confirmation of the themes soon.
Our speakers
Who you’ll hear from
With over 20 speakers confirmed, you can expect to hear lots of different perspectives on the day, including:
- Kersten England CBE from Bradford City of Culture
- Tayshan Hayden-Smith from Grow to Know
- Paul Lawrence from Edinburgh City Council
- Dave Luckin from Co-op
Take a look at the line-up of speakers below, with more to be confirmed.
Alexandra Hoadley, Greenspace Development Officer (Ecology), City of Edinburgh Council
Allys Ludlow, urban tree canopy coordinator, Trees for Cities
Chantelle Lindsay, conservationist and presenter
David Luckin, Head of Community Funding & Impact, Co-op
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Gill Thornton, Director, Better Start Bradford
Sam Evans, Head of Natural Environment, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England ©Jason Bye
Graham Duxbury, Chief Executive, Groundwork UK
Hilary McGrady, Director-General, The National Trust
James Scott, Group Director of Strategy and Planning, Urban&Civid
Kersten England CBE, Chair of Bradford City of Culture
Paul Lawrence, Chief Executive, Edinburgh City Council
Roisha Hughes CBE, Chief Executive, John Whitgift Foundation
Tom Stratton, Chief of Staff, RSA
Immersive platform
Get to know Digilounge
Face-to-face feel of an in-person conference, slippers optional
We’re using Digilounge to host the conference. At times it will feel like you’re in the room with other people, and at other times attending a plenary session where you listen to one or more speakers. Take a look at the tech demo in advance. You can also log on early to make a profile so others can see your name and where you’re joining from.
Book your place
Over 500 attendees have already registered. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of it.
Book a free ticket and block out your diary for 5 June.
We can’t wait to see you there.