New research commissioned by the Oxford-Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership has revealed how green spaces could make all the difference to both people and nature recovery.
The Catalysing Nature Recovery for People and Nature project, delivered through a collaboration between Earth Trust, 3Keel and Sunnyhill Consultants, explored approaches to maximising the role of green spaces in nature recovery while promoting inclusive access and community wellbeing.
The benefits of green spaces
The research reveals significant opportunities to derive multiple benefits from green spaces – from urban parks and community gardens to transport corridors and waterside paths. It highlights the need for a more connected, holistic approach that recognises the full spectrum of spaces contributing to nature recovery and community health.
The research, aligned with the renewed regional Environment Principles, informs the Partnership’s work to support sustainable development and environmental enhancement across the Oxford-Cambridge region.
Verity Warne, Director of Development & Movement Building at Earth Trust, said, “At Earth Trust, we’ve long championed innovative approaches to balancing access with nature recovery, but supporting change at scale requires cross-sector collaboration.
“This research demonstrates the power of collaboration in reimagining how green spaces can serve both people and nature. By bringing together diverse perspectives from multiple sectors, we’ve identified practical ways to advance both nature recovery and community wellbeing through better-connected and more inclusive green spaces.”
Detailed findings were shared at the Partnership’s annual conference in Milton Keynes on 29th November, where leaders from organisations such as AstraZeneca, East West Rail, and Natural England discussed integrating economic growth with environmental sustainability. Wider engagement opportunities will follow in late 2024/early 2025.
Russell Ashfield, Principal Consultant at 3Keel, said, “The depth of cross-sector engagement that we’ve seen in this project has been extremely encouraging. Crucially, it’s also revealed some very significant opportunities to enhance how different sectors can work together in delivering multiple benefits from green spaces. It’s been fantastic to contribute to such comprehensive and important research examining how green spaces can better serve both nature and people.
“At 3Keel, we use our knowledge and skills to accelerate systems change, helping to transform green spaces and other landscapes to enable a world in which nature, people and businesses thrive. But systemic change takes everyone. 3Keel’s work must often bridge the gap between business, civil society, government and academia, so I’m really pleased that we’ve been so involved in the Catalysing Nature Recovery for People and Nature project.”
Key findings and opportunities
The key findings from the research highlight several opportunities to catalyse change for nature recovery and communities:
- Develop a more connected network of place-based green spaces across urban and rural areas
- Enable sustainable funding approaches that recognise multiple benefits
- Better balance nature recovery with community access and wellbeing
- Enable greater cross-sector collaboration in green space management
Funded jointly by the Oxford-Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership and Natural England, the project represents a significant step in understanding how to better connect nature recovery with community needs. Through workshops, focus groups, and detailed analysis, the research engaged with over 30 organisations across the region, bringing together perspectives from conservation, planning, community groups, and local government.
Dr Jayne Manley, Research Lead and Founding Director of Sunnyhill Consultants, said, “Our research highlights the transformative potential of green spaces to drive nature recovery, enhance community wellbeing, and achieve net zero—far beyond what we initially envisioned.
“The key to unlocking this potential lies in reimaging our current beliefs and organisational frameworks so that no matter our sector or community, we share a vision where green spaces become the engine rooms driving meaningful change.”
The research forms part of a wider initiative by the Oxford-Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership to advance environmental principles across the region. Aligned directly to the new Regional Environment Principles and their second objective to deliver more regionally connected, nature-rich landscapes, this work provides partners with research that supports approaches that achieve nature recovery and green space enhancement.
Read the report, Catalysing nature recovery for people and nature