• Results of multi-million pound conservation programme revealed for first time - showing supported over 150 species including rare mammals and insects
Threatened Species Recovery Actions, a guide for supporting the recovery of more than 1,000 threatened species published
Natural England Chair calls for a redoubling of efforts with time running out to halt the decline of nature
The results of a multi-million pound investment in nature have been revealed for the first time today (Wednesday 13 August), alongside the launch of a new guide for supporting the recovery of more than 1,000 species threatened with extinction.
The £13 million Species Recovery Programme's Capital Grants Scheme ran from August 2023 to March 2025, and saw Natural England invest in targeted conservation efforts that gave species such as water vole, oystercatcher, lady's slipper orchid, hazel dormouse and Atlantic salmon a chance to flourish.
From the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall to Cumbria and Northumberland, 63 different projects involving 78 partners have transformed landscapes and supported the recovery of 150 species, many of which were on the brink of national extinction, through research, captive breeding, habitat creation, and conservation translocations.
Across the projects, more than 15,000 individual animals and plants were translocated to expand species territories, as well as captive breeding more than 12,000 individuals, including invertebrates, mammals and birds.
The successes of the scheme included the first wild-hatched red-billed chough chick in Kent for over 200 years, the successful reintroduction of black grouse to the North Yorkshire Moors, and the return of the large marsh grasshopper to the Norfolk Broads after an 85-year absence.
To further support nature conservation a Threatened Species Recovery Actions guide is also being published today to support the recovery of over a thousand of England's most threatened species. From the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly, corncrake and natterjack toad to smaller organisms like miniscule lichens, the guide sets out for the first time what action conservationists need to take to recover wildlife at an individual species level. This could include the creation of habitats with late flowering plants to support the Shrill Carder bee or the creation of fish-rich reedbeds to support bittern.
To mark the success of the investment programme and to highlight the need to drive forward species recovery efforts there will be a celebration event today held at Brandon Marsh with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, where the once rare Eurasian bittern is making a recovery. Chair of Natural England Tony Juniper will give a keynote speech where he will call for more concerted action to drive species recovery with time running out to reverse nature's decline.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, is expected to say:
"A rising number of Nature recovery projects, both large and small, are making a huge difference up and down the country. The success of this programme is an example of how much we can do when we take a joined up, collaborative approach to restoring the natural world.
"We know we can turn round species decline and improve ecosystems with the right targeted actions, the drive and the funding.
"But time is running out fast - turning round nature's decline needs to be a collective endeavour, so this is not just the preserve of dedicated specialists. Nature recovery work needs more projects, more volunteers and more money to flow from all sources, particularly the private sector. It will also need to go hand in hand with improved environmental quality, including through reduced pollution.
"The publication of the government's revised Environmental Improvement Plan in the autumn will be a key moment. We will need to see increased ambition on species recovery, particularly looking at what can be done on some of our lost species. In the coming years, habitat management and creation alongside species reintroductions could be a real game changer for the health of ecosystems and help us achieve the country's legally binding targets."
The Species Recovery Programme has also seen the creation of conservation infrastructure which will benefit wildlife into the future. Projects have created or enhanced over 2,400ha of wildlife-rich habitat for species to thrive, including 143 leaky dams to support species like Atlantic salmon, white-clawed crayfish and freshwater pearl mussel while also reducing flood risk and improving water quality. 633 new safe breeding areas have been created for otter, dormice, bats, willow tits and other birds
Beyond direct species benefits, the scheme has helped bring thousands of people closer to nature. Over 80,000 members of the public participated in 465 educational events and activities, and volunteers contributed nearly 100,000 hours of conservation work worth over £1 million. The scheme has also offered a boost for the economy by supporting the equivalent of 60 full time jobs in conservation.
Natural England is planning to extend the Species Recovery Programme delivery window for up to four years, running concurrently between 26/27 - 29/30 to take forward the actions detailed in the Threatened Species Recovery Action guide.
Threatened Species Recovery Actions guide can be found on our Access to Evidence page .
It reflects the expertise of 40 partner organisations which contributed to it and will help to pave the way to delivering the legally-binding target to reduce the risk of species' extinction by 2042.
