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Related projects and programmes

Nature Towns and Cities brings together a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills built by like-minded projects over the years. Discover more about them here.

Three people stand in an area of greenery, engaged in conversation. The two women are wearing blue high-vis jackets, whilst the man stands in the centre with a black cap and t-shirt. They look to be in an urban garden, with a low wall, railings and building behind them.

©National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

A shared vision

Nature Towns and Cities has grown from a collection of like-minded projects and programmes that worked to bring nature and green space to urban areas for everyone’s benefit.

Highlights from some of these projects are now available through Nature Towns and Cities. Take a look at some of the resources, tools and techniques they learnt and shared along the way.

Future Parks Accelerator

Future Parks Accelerator (FPA) was a collaboration between The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Trust and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

Nine areas across the UK were selected to be part of this pioneering programme to build a sustainable future for urban parks and green spaces.

FPA proved that nature has a critical role to play in towns and cities, helping to improve health and wellbeing, mitigate the impact of climate change, enhance biodiversity and grow the green economy.

These pioneering places laid the foundations for millions more people to enjoy time in nature close to home through future projects like Nature Towns and Cities.

Key findings and recommendations Inspiring global green spaces

Highlights from Future Parks Accelerator

Pioneering FPA places shared their learnings and ideas in a series of resources.

Browse the FPA toolkit

Get started with...

Case study

Guidance

Unlock finance for green and blue spaces

12-02-2025

Discover ways to build a more diverse funding model for natural spaces in your town or city, to support wellbeing, nature recovery and economic growth.
Funding & finance, Nature recovery - Future Parks Accelerator toolkit, Habitat banking
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Meet the nature makers

Case study

Nature makers: Simon Needle

10-03-2025

Birmingham City Council has a vision for a more strategic, joined-up future for parks, trees and other green infrastructure.
Climate resilience, Communities, Funding & finance, Health & wellbeing, Nature recovery - Community engagement, Forestry & trees, Future Parks Accelerator toolkit, Visioning
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Guidance

Quick start guide to urban greening

24-06-2025

The secrets to urban greening success as seen by local councils and their partners.
Climate resilience, Communities, Health & wellbeing, Nature recovery, Volunteering - Community engagement, Future Parks Accelerator toolkit, Park foundations
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Nature Neighbourhoods

Nature Neighbourhoods was a national partnership programme between the National Trust, RSPB and WWF, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and the Co-op.

The programme’s big idea was to work alongside 18 community organisations over 2 years, helping them co-create people-powered plans for nature in their own neighbourhoods.

Each collaborative plan was firmly rooted in whatever nature and climate actions are most important to the people living and working there. And they were brought to life with Nature Neighbourhood’s funding, support and training.

Watch stories from Nature Neighbourhoods Read the project report

Highlights from Nature Neighbourhoods

Training and guides for community organisations looking to bring nature to their neighbourhoods.

Browse the Nature Neighbourhoods toolkit

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Guidance

Community guide to co-design

18-03-2026

Bring neighbourhoods and nature together, with tools and tips to put local people, plants and places in the driving seat.
Communities - Co-design, Community engagement, Nature Neighbourhoods toolkit, Visioning
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Community guide to working with volunteers

20-03-2026

How community-based organisations can work with local volunteers to create greener, healthier, happier neighbourhoods.
Communities, Volunteering - Nature Neighbourhoods toolkit
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Case study

Community food growers’ guide

13-10-2025

Hear from those in the grow about what it takes to create good food and good feelings together. A guide to community food growing, starting from nothing.
Communities - Community engagement, Community growing
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Urban Forest Accelerator

Urban Forest Accelerator worked to create fairer urban forests in our towns and cities.

The programme was run in partnership with the Community Forest Trust and Woodland Trust, and funded by the Trees Call to Action Fund.

This fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission and was delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Special thanks to Birmingham City Council and Birmingham TreePeople.

More from Urban Forest Accelerator

Highlights from Urban Forest Accelerator

Inspiration, guidance and tools to create healthy, diverse urban forests for all.

Browse the UFA toolkit

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Case study

Guidance

Create an urban forest master plan

24-06-2025

Case studies and tools to help transform your approach to urban forest planning and management, delivering equitable benefits for people and nature.
Climate resilience, Nature recovery - Forestry & trees, Partnerships, Urban Forest Accelerator Toolkit, Visioning
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Case study

Guidance

Grow an equitable urban forest

24-06-2025

Inspiration, guidance and tools to unlock the social, economic and environmental benefits of urban forests for all, using the principle of tree equity.
Climate resilience, Communities, Health & wellbeing, Nature recovery, Volunteering - Community engagement, Forestry & trees, Urban Forest Accelerator Toolkit
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Guidance

Value and fund an urban forest

24-06-2025

Your guide to demonstrate the real value of trees in your town or city and attract funding that supports long-term maintenance and growth.
Funding & finance, Nature recovery - Forestry & trees, Urban Forest Accelerator Toolkit
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