Nearly one in six species in Britain is threatened with extinction, prompting a landmark £60 million investment from Natural England to bolster the recovery of England's threatened wildlife. The substantial funding will support 130 projects across England, directly benefiting 364 species facing extinction – including the elusive ghost orchid and the rapidly declining northern dune tiger beetle.
The initiative forms part of the government's broader "Wild Again: Restoring England's Wildlife" programme, aimed at reversing the alarming decline in biodiversity. Since 1970, wildlife populations in Great Britain have plummeted by a third, with some of the sharpest declines observed in farmed landscapes. The new funding will target a diverse range of creatures, including the UK's only native crayfish – the white-clawed crayfish – which is under threat from invasive species.
A key focus of the programme is integrating nature recovery within farmed landscapes, where projects will collaborate with farmers and land managers to restore habitats alongside food production. This approach acknowledges the intrinsic link between healthy ecosystems and productive, resilient agriculture – for example, supporting pollinator species whose health is crucial for crop yields.
Native Species Recovery Hubs, led by BIAZA zoos, aquariums, and their partners, will spearhead 'ex-situ' breed-for-release programmes for 16 rare invertebrate species. These hubs will also engage the public – including zoo visitors and scientific groups – to foster a deeper connection with and inspire action for nature.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds highlighted the government's commitment, stating that this investment is a direct response to the threat of extinction faced by nearly one in six species in Britain. Natural England Chair Tony Juniper emphasised the proven success of past recovery efforts, citing examples like the red kite and large blue butterfly as evidence of what can be achieved through scientific understanding and effective partnerships.
The announcement complements wider government support for farmers, including an £11.8 billion nature-friendly farming budget allocated for this Parliament. It also builds upon the government's legal targets set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan, which commits to halting the decline in species abundance by 2030 and reducing the risk of species extinction by 2042.