Photo competiton

As part of the development of our Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), we’re looking for local photos that represent people and nature!

We now have a prize up for grabs for the best photo submitted. You can submit your photos now for a chance to win four tickets to see the winter lights at Wimpole Estate.

This is an extension of a previous photo request we ran until Friday 4 October. Do not worry if you have already submitted your photos for this as they will still be eligible for the prize.

Click here to upload your photos before our new deadline of 5pm on Thursday 31 October.

Building a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for our local area

You might be surprised to know that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is one of the most nature-depleted areas in England. We want to change that! Imagine living in a world-class place where nature and people flourish together! With your help, together we can create a nature-rich future for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

What is a Local Nature Recovery Strategy?

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) programme is a national Government initiative designed to set priorities for nature recovery across England. Natural Cambridgeshire has been asked by the County Council to support the creation of an LNRS for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, as the County undertakes this commission on behalf of the СРСА.

How have people been asked to get involved so far?

Earlier this year, to help to build insights, we asked individuals to complete an online survey and for representatives from groups and organisations, and farmers and landowners, to complete the relevant online questionnaire. We wanted to know:

  • What it is that you value most about your local natural environment?
  • Where you love to go locally, to enjoy the benefits of nature?
  • Why the natural environment is important to you and/or the organisation or business that you represent?
  • And what, in your opinion, do we need to do collectively to value nature more?

The surveys are now closed for contributions – but were open until 5pm on 19 April and findings will help feed into the wider work of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy as it sets priorities for nature recovery in the local area. The public will also be asked to engage in a wider public consultation on the strategy at a later stage.

There will also be future opportunities for nature-committed folk to participate in wider LNRS development activities. For now, please do get in touch to express your interest in this.

Further insights and current timeline:

Coming soon! 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Coming soon! 

Making gains for nature in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough

At Natural Cambridgeshire’s quarterly Partnership Forum in September, the first three projects selected to benefit from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s £1 million Fund for Nature were presented to the online forum of over one hundred individuals and representatives of groups interested in the natural environment from around the county.

Natural Cambridgeshire’s new chair Professor Martin Doel OBE welcomed Mayor Dr Nik Johnson as the first speaker, who provided an update on the CPCA’s commitments and ambitions for climate and the environment. The first landscape scale projects to benefit from the Fund for Nature were described: Fleam Dyke Habitat Bank, Priory Farm Project, Needingworth and Rewilding Coton Countryside Reserve.

Local Haddon-based farmer Tom Martin explained why farmers care about nature, and we heard about the Fund for Nature small grants scheme which will be launched soon to enable communities to do more for nature where they live.

The Forum were also updated on progress towards the development a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the opportunities this strategy provides for further defining, accelerating and progressing our doubling nature ambitions.

Professor Martin Doel said: “This is a critical time for nature in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with the county facing threats to our biodiversity and the impacts of climate change. For our scale of population, we also have one of the smallest proportions of land managed for nature across the country; and this impacts not just on nature, but also on people’s opportunities to access it, and the benefits we know that can provide to mental and physical health and wellbeing.”

“But with the projects Natural Cambridgeshire are taking forward, and the strong partnership we have in bringing together key influencers, advocates and delivery partners, we also have a unique opportunity now to drive forward our ambition to double the amount of space managed for nature, and connect those spaces and places for the benefit of all. I am both excited and humbled by challenges ahead in this role, and deeply grateful to have a strong team and committed Trustees to work with as we take our vision into delivery.”

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: “As an especially vulnerable low-lying area, with one of the lowest proportions of wildlife and greenspace managed for nature in the UK, the need to restore our depleted natural capital whilst tackling the climate emergency is undeniable. By investing in nature and exploring innovative solutions we can safeguard what we have, and create opportunities for good growth, skilled jobs, and sustainable development. The Fund for Nature projects announced at September’s Partnership Forum represent a significant step forward for our collective efforts in this vital work, and I congratulate the selected candidates whose efforts will no doubt have hugely beneficial impacts across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

Photo: Fleam Dyke. Photo credit: Nik Shelton

Small grants scheme for community nature projects now open!

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fund for Nature has been established by a generous grant from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and is being managed by Natural Cambridgeshire. Working in partnership with the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, a small capital grants scheme offering up to £5,000 per grant has been launched to enable communities across the county to improve nature where they live.

The Fund is inviting applications for nature projects that will do one or more of the following:

  • increase biodiversity and key wildlife habitats;
  • increase community cohesion by helping local people to understand, appreciate and enjoy their natural spaces more;
  • promote public health and wellbeing;
  • create resilient countryside and communities, where nature is at the heart of the approach to addressing climate change;
  • champion examples of best practice for sustainable development and management of green open space.

The deadline for the first round is 1st November 2023; the deadline for the second round will be 1st May 2024.

For further details on eligibility and how to apply for a grant please visit Cambridgeshire Community Foundation’s application portal which can be found here, or email info@cambscf.org.uk for further guidance.

If you would like to make a donation to augment the funds available to support community-led local nature recovery projects in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including for a specific geographical area or for a particular habitat type or species, please email fund@naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk and we would be happy to discuss this further with you.

Photo: Teachers and pupils of Wheatfields School, St Ives, volunteers from St Ives in Bloom and St Ives EcoAction, and Huntingdonshire District Council’s Grounds Team working in partnership to sow wildflower mix on Wheatfields Recreation area near Wheatfields School, St Ives, Spring 2022. Credit: St Ives EcoAction

New Chair to drive Doubling Nature in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough

Natural Cambridgeshire  has announced Professor Martin Doel CBE as its new Chair. Martin, who takes over following the eight year stint of former Chair Richard Astle, does so at a critical time for the organisation as it takes forward major projects for the County, including:

  • The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fund for Nature which will provide £1m to deliver sustainable nature projects across our nature-depleted county, including support for large landscape-scale natural capital projects alongside capital funding for small-scale community nature projects. The funding will also leverage in additional private, public and charitable funding committed across the priority landscape areas identified by Natural Cambridgeshire.
  • The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which Natural Cambridgeshire have been asked by Cambridgeshire County Council to support the creation of as the Council undertakes this commission on behalf of the CPCA; and where Natural Cambridgeshire will play a lead role in engaging landowners, developers and communities in connecting up key habitats and supporting species recovery across the County and beyond.

Natural Cambridgeshire brings together key natural environment partners from government departments and local authorities, to environmental charities such as the Wildlife Trust and RSPB, to landowners and farmers, to work with a common aim of putting nature at the heart of the county, and doubling the amount of land managed for nature in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Martin said:

“This is a critical time for nature in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with the county facing threats to our biodiversity and the impacts of climate change. For our scale of population, we also have one of the smallest proportions of land managed for nature across the country; and this impacts not just on nature, but also on people’s opportunities to access it, and the benefits we know that can provide to mental and physical health and wellbeing.”

“But with the projects Natural Cambridgeshire are taking forward, and the strong partnership we have in bringing together key influencers, advocates and delivery partners, we also have a unique opportunity now to drive forward our ambition to double the amount of space managed for nature, and connect those spaces and places for the benefit of all. I am both excited and humbled by challenges ahead in this role, and deeply grateful to have a strong team and committed Trustees to work with as we take our vision into delivery”.

Martin joins Natural Cambridgeshire with a wealth of experience from a career in the RAF serving at Wyton, Brampton and Henlow, before becoming Director of Training Policy for all three armed forces. On leaving the RAF, he took up the role of Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, representing and supporting further education colleges across the UK. In 2016 he was appointed as the first professor of leadership in further education and skills at the Institute for Education University College London, where he now has visiting professor status. In 1998 he was appointed OBE in recognition of his support to operations in the Balkans and his contribution to Anglo-German relations, and in 2016 as appointed CBE for his service to further and higher education. Having served in various national roles, Martin is now keen to drive forward Natural Cambridgeshire’s commitments to the place in which he and his family have made their home for more than 30 years.

Martin’s first role will be to Chair Natural Cambridgeshire’s Partnership Forum on 13th September which brings together the organisation’s wider stakeholders to explore issues and progress, and Mayor Nik Johnson will talk about the Combined Authority’s commitment to nature. Martin will formally take over as Chair at Natural Cambridgeshire’s October Board meeting. Richard Astle will continue to serve on the Board as a Trustee.

We are seeking a dynamic new Chair!

We are looking to appoint a vibrant new Chair to lead the Natural Cambridgeshire board and the organisation as it works towards doubling nature across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Natural Cambridgeshire recently secured funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to deliver shared nature recovery objectives through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fund for Nature. This aims to increase and enhance key wildlife habitats, promote the benefits of natural spaces, create resilient countryside and communities, and champion best practice for sustainable development and management of parks and green open space.

This new funding programme, and the strong partnership that underpins it, makes this a transformative time for Natural Cambridgeshire and the new Chair will be at the heart of taking forward these vital agendas locally, as well as representing the Partnership nationally.

Rebecca Britton, a trustee for Natural Cambridgeshire, and Chair of the Developing with Nature Forum said: “The role of Natural Cambridgeshire is evolving and growing, and our local nature partnership is looking for a dynamic new Chair to lead the Board and the organisation as it works to realise its vision.  This is a really exciting time for the organisation, and we look forward to hearing from potential candidates.”

Application process: CVs with a covering letter explaining why you feel you are suitable for this role (no more than 2 sides of A4) should be sent to recruitment@naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk no later than 5pm on Friday, 27th May 2023.

Remuneration: While this role is unremunerated, reasonable local expenses will be considered.

If you have any questions about the role, or would welcome a discussion about the role, please email either trustee, Rebecca Britton (rbritton@urbanandcivic.com) or Partnership Director, Pamela Abbott (pamela.abbott@naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk).

Further details about the role, including a role description and person specification, can be found here.

Government guidelines for Local Nature Recovery Strategies published

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a key component of the Environment Act 2021. Their aim is to set out how to deliver nature recovery across England; to help planning authorities incorporate nature recovery objectives; to support the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain; and to help deliver our national environmental targets.

The LNRS responsible authority (RA) for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which has contracted the responsibility to develop the LNRS to Cambridgeshire County Council, working in partnership with Natural Cambridgeshire. Together, taking an evidence-based approach, we will work with partners across the county to secure cross-sectoral support, build a shared vision for nature recovery, seek to embed that vision into local policies and identify the barriers and opportunities to mobilise action for nature across our area.

Further to an initial scoping exercise in late 2022/early 2023, from April 2023 Natural Cambridgeshire working with Cambridgeshire County Council will be convening partners and communities to help to shape and develop the LNRS for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We look forward to engaging with all of our stakeholders further then.

The Guidance and Regulations for LNRS were published by Defra on 23 March 2023.  This summary factsheet which includes links to the official documents is a quick and easy read (2 minutes), or alternatively go straight to the official documents here: The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023, and Local Nature Recovery Strategy Statutory Guidance. 

Natural Cambridgeshire joins Fenland Volunteers to celebrate community achievements!

Natural Cambridgeshire was delighted to join Fenland District Council’s annual Celebration Evening on 13thOctober 2022 when local volunteer groups including Street Pride, In Bloom, Friends, and Getting It Sorted Recycling came together to celebrate their collective achievements.

The Covid pandemic meant the event couldn’t go ahead in 2020, and a much-reduced event in 2021 meant that there was much to shout about. With the Braza Club in March as the venue, the Fenland District Council brought together more than 80 environmental volunteers to show its appreciation for all the efforts that have contributed to strengthening local pride and building community over in the last 12 months.

The evening included a welcome address from Cllr Peter Murphy, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, and an Awards Ceremony with the presentation of seven awards for the best projects over the year.

Helen Dye, of Natural Cambridgeshire, spoke about the support on offer from the Partnership, the potential of nature projects to enhance where we live, and what communities are achieving across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. There was live music from 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll band, The Summertime Kings, and catering by Rob’s Kitchen.

Cllr Murphy said: “It was an absolute pleasure to recognise the continued efforts of volunteers who give their time, energy, and enthusiasm to making Fenland a great place to live and work. Together, they strive hard to improve our environment, street scene, green spaces, and recycling across the district.

Helen Dye said: “Volunteering matters, as much as nature matters, and when the two combine just think how much we can achieve for people and planet. The achievements of the people of Fenland are awesome, so let’s see how we can Double Nature in Fenland together!”

More information about the projects and groups that won awards can be found here.

Great Ouse Valley takes first steps towards developing a shared vision for a living landscape!

On Friday 8th September, the Great Ouse Valley Trust hosted a workshop at Hemingford Abbots Village Hall for local stakeholders to begin to tease out a vision for the stretch of the Great Ouse Valley between St Ives and Godmanchester. Over 40 people took part including local farmers and landowners, parish and district council officers, representatives of local community and sports groups and environmental organisations, as well as subject matter experts in fields such as ecology and conservation. Guest of honour, and resident of the Great Ouse Valley near St Neots, included Combined Authority Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson, who contributed to the visioning process and activities. The workshop was delivered by Dr Jade Gunnell, a specialist in citizen science, and who has been working with Great Ouse Valley Trust trustees on a strategy to engage the community in developing a joined-up and cohesive vision for the valley that prioritises nature and leads to increasing the nature value of the wildlife and habitats on our doorstep.

The event was felt to be vibrant and productive, with insights and outputs from the day being drawn together to form a report over the forthcoming weeks that will be shared with all those who participated and wider partnership stakeholders to inform further actions and priorities for the Valley.

The workshop was enabled with support from Natural Cambridgeshire and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Future Parks Programme, and with grant funds from Natural England and a Together for our Planet award from the National Lottery Community Fund. The Great Ouse Valley is one of six priority landscapes identified by Natural Cambridgeshire to be targeted for increased investment because of its unique value to Cambridgeshire’s natural environment and the ecosystem services it provides. The Great Ouse Valley Partnership was formed in 2021 to bring together the interests of the nature and heritage organisations, community groups, farmers and landowners and local authorities and others to support the development of a vision for the area, and is chaired by RSPB’s Hannah Phillips.

Photo credit: Emily Dalziel, Great Ouse Valley Trust

Pamela Abbott joins Natural Cambridgeshire as Partnership Director

Natural Cambridgeshire has appointed Pamela Abbott as its new Partnership Director. Pamela will lead the charity’s work to double nature across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire from September.

Pamela has a long career in nature conservation and extensive knowledge of the conservation agenda of the county. She was previously Chair of the Cambridge Conservation Forum and Chief Executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust. She is also a hands-on conservationist with a passion for practical conservation action and, as chair of Citizen Zoo, has been closely involved in helping the large marsh grasshopper return to its native haunts in East Anglia: https://www.citizenzoo.org/our-work/hop-of-hope

She will bring additional skills, experience and capacity to Natural Cambridgeshire’s efforts to take forward the doubling nature agenda across the county and to put nature at the heart of the collective agenda. Her appointment will help the charity’s partners to create new habitats for nature, improve public health, support sustainable growth and community cohesion and offering people greater access the nature. She will work closely with Helen Dye, the charity’s Partnership Co-ordinator.

Richard Astle, chair of Natural Cambridgeshire, said, “I am delighted that Pamela will be joining us and leading our work to help nature recover. Cambridgeshire has one of the most depleted natural environments in the country, but there is now a strong consensus and determination to reverse the decline of so many iconic species and create new places for wildlife to thrive. That will not only benefit wildlife, but also local people who can look forward to more and better opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.  It will also benefit business and investment too – as we know how important it is for sustainable businesses to be part of a strong local environment.”

Pamela said, “It’s a privilege to join Natural Cambridgeshire at such an exciting point in the journey towards the goal of doubling nature across the county.  Connecting people with nature at all scales from nurturing individual actions, partnering in community projects and collaborating to deliver landscape scale partnerships has always been at the heart of my way of working. I look forward to building collaborations with communities and land managers across the county to create, expand, improve and connect habitats for wildlife.”

Her appointment has been made possible through revenue funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.