The South West of England is home to some of the UK’s most extraordinary natural treasures. From sweeping coastlines of global marine importance to vast stretches of moorland rich with wildlife, the region holds habitats of national and international significance. This week, an exciting new partnership has been launched to protect, restore and regenerate these landscapes at scale.

Nature South West brings together leading experts from across the environmental and business sectors in an ambitious new initiative to accelerate nature recovery. By uniting people, businesses and organisations across the region, the partnership will help meet the South West’s environmental, economic and social needs, while also making a vital contribution to the UK’s Net Zero and biodiversity targets.

Rebecca Hunt (Becs), Nature-based Solutions Project Officer with the National Landscapes Association, who is part of the new venture’s core team, explained: “Nature South West represents the future of nature recovery in the UK. It brings together nature, people and business at a whole new scale, ensuring that we maximise the visibility of the innovation that happens here from grassroots up, and get the resource needed to make waves.”

The South West already carries global recognition for its rare and important habitats, with 13 National Landscapes and two National Parks forming the backbone of its natural heritage alongside a host of other global designations for rare and important habitats, including half of England’s Marine Conservation Zones. Nature South West will now provide the leadership needed to connect these places and drive landscape-scale action.

Tim Youngs, Manager of Blackdown Hills National Landscape who has played a key role in the initiative, said: “It’s been a pleasure and privilege to help drive Nature South West from its inception on behalf not only of Blackdown Hills National Landscape, but the wider protected area family in the region and beyond. We are excited about the opportunities that this will open up for landscape-scale nature recovery here, as well as protecting its critical infrastructure that is vital for the whole of the UK.”

By aggregating existing recovery work into larger, targeted investment propositions, Nature South West will unlock new corporate partnerships and blended finance opportunities. This approach will accelerate transformation across the region with a view to restoring nature on a scale that can inspire the rest of the UK and beyond.

Becs also praised the UK’s other regional partnerships that helped pave the way for Nature South West. She said: “A huge thanks to our Nature North colleagues and others from the 'Natures' family for your support and ongoing inspiration as we enter this exciting new chapter.”

Keep up to date with the partnership by following Nature South West on LinkedIn. If you have any questions or would like to get involved in any of the project’s initiatives contact Becs.