England gets £79m for tree planting and nature recovery

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle will unveil a £79 million package to plant half a million trees and restore natural landscapes across England. The pledge will be made on Wednesday morning in her speech to the Labour party conference in Liverpool. The funding is split, with £53 million allocated for tree-planting and £26 million for local nature recovery strategies over the next three years.

This summer’s drought demonstrated the urgent need for more trees and protection of natural landscapes. The package will fund restoration of wetlands, river edges and meadows to provide natural flood management and reduce drought damage. Mayors, local authorities, charities and grassroots groups will receive new funding and responsibilities to deliver these projects.

Funding to support wetlands, rivers and meadows for climate resilience

The investment targets the restoration of vital natural infrastructure. Wetlands, river edges, and meadows act as sponges, absorbing excess water during floods and releasing it slowly during dry periods. England has lost more than 90% of its wetlands over the last century, increasing vulnerability to climate extremes. The new funding aims to reverse this trend, building resilience from the ground up.

Angela Eagle to highlight benefits of trees and local action

In her conference speech, Angela Eagle will cite the direct benefits of nature-based solutions. She is to say that in areas where nature has been allowed to flourish, the ground held more water, and the droughts were less severe. Eagle will argue that putting decision-making in the hands of those who know their communities best is the most effective way to improve nature and strengthen the UK against a changing climate.

The scientific case is strong. Trees can reduce air temperatures by 4C in cities and a single mature tree can intercept 15,000 litres of water a year. They also halve noise pollution, absorb air pollution, and provide crucial habitats for wildlife in towns and cities. Eagle will echo a localism agenda, stating the UK must combine local community focus with national resilience to the global climate crisis.

Environmental leaders welcome shift toward local nature recovery

Conservation leaders have praised the plans as a significant shift in government approach. Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said the plans were very encouraging and appeared to signal a change in direction. "The mood could not be more different from Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, who presented nature as a block to development," Bennett said. He emphasised the need for local power and long-term investment, noting that for a long time local authorities have been trying to help nature but did not have the power, money or political support.

Richard Benwell, chief executive of the Wildlife and Countryside Link charity, also welcomed the move. He stated that investing in the critical nature infrastructure needed to protect businesses and communities makes good economic and ecological sense, especially when guided by locally agreed plans. Benwell called this a good start but urged the government to rapidly scale up nature investment as part of a longer-term plan, funded by businesses who will benefit and by making sure polluters pay. The funding will be set out in Eagle’s speech to the Labour party conference in Liverpool.