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Achieving level one accreditation

23-04-2026

Webinar

Guidance

Our first Nature Towns and Cities reflect on the benefits that accreditation is bringing to their people and places, with tips and advice for others looking to achieve the level one: Foundation award.
Accreditation - Green infrastructure
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©National Trust Images / Sophie Bolesworth

What accreditation means for places, people and nature

Places across the UK are becoming official Nature Towns and Nature Cities through our accreditation scheme, showing their commitment to transform urban landscapes for people and nature.

The three stages of level one: Foundation accreditation help bring together the work that places are doing to create a greener, healthier, thriving future for everybody.

One year on from the launch of the scheme, some of our first accredited places shared their experiences of working towards each of these stages, and the positive changes it’s helping to deliver for people and nature:

  • Simon Needle from Birmingham City Council talks about how they co-created a vision for nature recovery and more equal access to parks and green spaces
  • Janna Bloice from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council reflects on what it takes to build strong partnerships, and what that looks like in their work with The Parks Foundation
  • Chris Avent from Plymouth City Council shares their journey to think more strategically about green infrastructure and how it supports wider objectives in the city

Watch the videos to find out more.

“Like them or not, spreadsheets paint a picture”

Accreditation recognises Birmingham City Council’s vision for a more strategic, joined-up future for parks, trees and other green infrastructure in their City of Nature plan.

Simon’s film looks at how the team co-created this vision, by digging into data to build a case for change and working with local communities and groups to deliver it where people and nature need it most.

More about visioning in Birmingham Discover the City of Nature plan Resources to help co-create a vision

“It’s never done in isolation”

Accreditation in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole celebrates the strong, cross-sector partnerships between the council and local organisations that share their aspirations for communities and green space.

Janna’s film tells the story behind the partnership they have built together with The Parks Foundation, looking at what it takes to create a framework for this way of working and set future partnerships up for success.

More about partnerships in BCP Discover The Parks Foundation Resources to help build partnerships

“It’s a plan for nature AND people”

Accreditation in Plymouth celebrates a shift to think more strategically about green and blue spaces, to improve quality of life, and address challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and public health.

Chris’ film focusses on the work that sits behind the Plymouth plan for nature and people: a five-year green infrastructure strategy that puts nature at the heart of the city’s growth and development.

More about strategic GI in Plymouth Discover the plan for people and nature Resources to help with GI

Shall we make it official?

Simon, Janna and Chris shared their experiences at a webinar to mark one year of our accreditation scheme.

The webinar looked at how accreditation can benefit a town or city, and the tools, guidance and support available to places working through the framework. There was also a Q&A with the panel.

Watch the webinar in full, then get started on your journey to become an official Nature Town or City too.

More about accreditation
Two women, both in green, smile as they walk through a park field on a wintry day. They push a bright orange wheelbarrow, in stark contrast to the grey sky and spindly trees behind.