National Trust Launches Ambitious Nature Restoration Initiative Marking 130th Anniversary

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The National Trust has announced a groundbreaking plan to restore 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscapes in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, an area significantly larger than Greater London. This initiative, unveiled in celebration of the charity's 130th anniversary, aims to combat the ongoing climate and nature crises.

The charity's director general, Hilary McGrady, emphasized the urgent need for a "monumental effort" to reverse the decline of nature and address climate change, which threatens ecosystems and communities. The initiative will involve collaboration with environmental organizations, farmers, and local communities to create expansive, interconnected landscapes rather than isolated patches of nature.

Key projects include the planting of over 90,000 trees on recently acquired farmland in Merseyside and efforts to improve breeding areas for birds in the Shropshire hills. Additionally, the National Trust will continue its commitment to preserving cultural heritage sites, with a £17 million renovation project underway at the Bath Assembly Rooms.

In a bid to enhance public engagement, the trust is inviting the community to "adopt" plots of land in various significant sites and has formed a partnership with the mental health charity Mind to improve access to nature. The announcement represents a bold step towards enriching biodiversity and nurturing community wellness through environmental stewardship.

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