Our Natural World

Space for nature

Froglife

Protecting and creating more space for nature enables the restoration of damaged ecosystems and degraded landscapes. It's also important that the benefits of being close to nature are accessible to all.

The scale of nature’s decline in the UK cannot be addressed by our existing nature reserves, nor without fundamentally changing the way we use land. Fortunately, this decline is mirrored by a growing movement for connecting with nature and for finding and creating more wild spaces for nature - enabling natural processes to shape land and sea, repair damaged ecosystems and restore degraded landscapes.

This is a good time to encourage people’s enthusiasm for achieving better land use, and to build the evidence for policy makers. As well as supporting restoration of nature across the UK, we also want to engage communities to lead change so that nature is accessible to all.

What we want to achieve

We're working towards two long-term outcomes:

  1. Space for nature, and biodiversity, is restored at scale on land and at sea.
  2. More nature rich spaces for people to access and enjoy, particularly those facing barriers to doing so.

If you are interested in applying for funding under this priority, please see our guidance for support.

Adur and Worthing District Councils-Sussex Bay ©Sussex Bay aerial view (Worthing)

Latest grants

See all our grants towards our Space for nature funding priority.

Find out more
Unlocking change

Stories

Latest

You might be interested in

  • Image and Text block

    Business action on nature in the UK: Webinar on 8 October

    We're pleased to share a new report by Will McDonald for Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which explores how business in the UK is taking action on nature and the drivers behind it. Join us for a webinar to discuss the findings and what's needed to make progress.

    Read more
  • River-Simon2

    Freshwater: Mid-strategy review

    We’re pleased to share a new report exploring changes since our strategy launched, progress made, challenges faced, and recommendations for Esmée and other funders. Simon Wightman, our Funding Manager Lead for Our Natural World, reflects on the findings, what’s next, and the potential impact of the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report.

    Read more
  • Row of houses along a tree-lined path

    Invitation to Tender: Impact Investment deep dive on social and affordable housing in the UK

    We're looking for a provider to develop a practical resource for impact investors, assessing the investment opportunity both through funds and direct investments, which align with the theme of social and affordable housing in the UK.

    Read more