Across every one of the 46 National Landscapes, expert teams are working to restore the natural systems that sustain us all. From the award-winning peatland restoration in the North Pennines to the intricate craft of rebuilding the Cornish hedges, every project I see is a testament to what happens when people and place come together in shared purpose.

The scale and diversity of this work is extraordinary, but one that underpins all of it is the need for sustainable, long-term funding. Across the National Landscapes family, the message is clear and consistent: while the need for nature restoration grows more urgent, the traditional sources of public funding that once supported this vital work have become increasingly stretched. Essential grants are harder to secure, and competition for them is more hard fought for than ever.

Yet, even in the face of what can often feel like an insurmountable challenge, our teams have refused to stand still. Their determination, creativity and connection to the landscapes they work to look after has driven us to find new ways forward.

It was from this shared sense of determination and optimism that, in 2023, we launched our Nature-based Solutions Programme to reimagine how we fund and deliver the restoration which landscapes so urgently need. 

Our programme was founded on the simple but powerful idea that nature recovery and climate resilience can, and must, be part of a thriving, investable future. By connecting National Landscape projects with responsible private and corporate partners, we are paving the way for long-term funding that can transform the future of nature restoration in the UK.

Two years on, our Nature-based Solutions team has grown from an ambitious new initiative into a confident and capable force for change. Led by Hannah Wilcox Brook, and supported by Kirsty Brown, Rebecca Hunt and Amber Lauder, the team has spent these first two years building their expertise in an array of specialisms, from biodiversity net gain and carbon markets to how we can unlock environmental investment.

They’ve been out in the field; learning from our teams about individual habitats, understanding each National Landscape’s priorities and identifying where our research and resources can have the greatest impact. They’ve been in the boardroom; building trust and mutual understanding with investors, exploring what drives their business decisions and finding common ground in shared environmental goals. And they’ve been on the international stage; raising the profile of our landscapes, showcasing the exceptional work taking place across the UK and demonstrating why, in an ever-growing marketplace, National Landscapes stand out as the perfect partner – credible and experienced, with a long history of delivering results.

Another of the team’s priorities has been to share their learnings with the wider National Landscape family to empower them in this space, delivering workshops and webinars. And because integrity sits at the heart of everything we do, we have worked alongside National Landscape teams to establish an Ethics Charter which provides us all with a clear framework to guide the organisations we work with and ensure that every partnership reflects our values and our purpose.

Their efforts have also resulted in the creation of Your Natural Partner, our dedicated Nature-based Solutions website, designed to highlight inspiring case studies, connect projects with potential partners and share knowledge across the National Landscapes network. 

From the very beginning, we have also been fortunate to work alongside those who helped pave the way in this evolving sector. Finance Earth played a pivotal role in helping us turn ambition into action, supporting us to get the programme off the ground in its earliest days. Equally, the team at National Parks Partnerships have been invaluable guides helping us navigate what can often be a complex landscape with insight, generosity and collaboration. To both, we owe our sincere thanks. Their support and belief have been instrumental in shaping what our Nature-based Solutions programme has become today.

As we mark two years of this journey, I feel immense pride in what has been achieved so far, along with admiration for the team who have brought it to life. We are still at the beginning of something transformational, a shift towards a resilient model of collaborative working that is not dependent on scarcity and one built on innovation and shared values.

Together with our Nature-based Solutions team, I’ll be attending this month’s Blue Earth Summit - the UK’s leading gathering of environmental innovators - to proudly talk about our work to more than 7,000 attendees who share our belief that investing in nature is investing in the future. It’s an opportunity to stand alongside global changemakers, celebrate what has been achieved already, and demonstrate how National Landscapes are leading the way in shaping a more sustainable, resilient world.

Landscapes are living proof that when we invest in nature, we invest in all of our futures. The work ahead of us will not be easy, but with this team’s expertise, vision and commitment, I know we can make the difference that is needed to protect and conserve these treasured places. Together, we are creating a future where the National Landscapes not only survive but thrive, for people, for nature and for generations to come.

John Watkins, CEO National Landscapes Association