Resources to help bring nature into every neighbourhood

Browse highlights from a library of the latest evidence, case studies, guidance and expertise to help local authorities, community organisations and their partners to drive change.

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Two people standing on wooden viewing platform looking into a wildlife pond with Nature Towns and Cities urban nature icons.

©National Trust Images / James Dobson

Get started in your town or city

There are many benefits to bringing more nature into urban areas. But as the saying goes, it’s not easy being green.

Nature Towns and Cities is building a library of resources to help local authorities, partners and community organisations take steps to improve green space.

Visit our Resources Library to discover guidance, tools and best practice from expert partners behind the programme, together with industry specialists and sector pioneers across the UK. Remember to check back regularly, as this library will grow to include many more success stories from places like yours.

Or scroll down to see the resources highlights.

Tried-and-tested ways to bring nature home

Our ‘Get started with...’ packages offer tried-and-tested solutions to the challenges facing our sector.

Unlock new funding and finance for your green and blue spaces

Nature recovery is an expensive business. Discover how Plymouth is redistributing private money for public benefit, as the UK’s first council to set up a habitat bank. Use the tools and guides to understand what finance solutions might be right for you and kick start your own finance journey.

Meet the Plymouth team
Meet the Plymouth team
Two people standing on a wooden platform looking over into a wildlife pond.

Mobilise people power across your town or city

Inspired by their heritage as the Rebel City, Nottingham City Council has created a city-wide volunteering force creating a greener, healthier, happier place to live. The team brings the programme to life, and our guide can help you make it happen in your local area.

Nottingham Green Guardians
Nottingham Green Guardians
An adult and two young people using spades to move soil from bags in a garden.

Put health at the heart of your green space

Time in nature makes our lives happier and healthier, yet millions of urban residents lack vital access to green space. Learn how to develop cross-sector partnerships that can deliver mutual benefits for nature, health and wellbeing.

Get started
Get started
A young person smiling while cycling.

Meet the nature makers

Hear first-hand from people delivering benefits for people and nature across the UK.

Discover top tips and insights from people working across the country in local authorities and their partner teams to improve green and blue spaces. Discover how they overcame challenges, from developing high level strategies to delivering change on the ground.

A person carrying a plant in a plastic pot.

©National Trust Images / James Dobson

Resources for accreditation

Our accreditation scheme recognises towns and cities in England that are putting mutual benefits for people and nature at the heart of their plans.

Visioning together for people and nature

The first stage, Level one: Foundation, asks you to bring partners and stakeholders together to create an ambitious vision for the future of a place. Our ‘Visioning Together’ guide has ideas and advice on how to get started.

Read the guide
Read the guide
Group of people in natural area outside of a set of flats