Birmingham becomes the UK's first Nature City
Birmingham has been named the UK's first official Nature City in recognition of its efforts to improve access to green spaces and reconnect communities with the natural environment.
The Nature Towns and Cities programme which seeks Birmingham claim the hotspot of becoming the UK's first Nature City aims to allow 100 locations across the UK become greener, healthier and more beneficial to wildlife for creatures and humans alike. Birmingham's recognition follows a £9-million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to restore the historic Victorian glasshouses at the city's Botanical Gardens. This award is a partnership between Natural England, the National Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. There are an additional 40 other UK towns and cities that have also received funding to assist them in approving access to nature for their inhabitants.
Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport at Birmingham City Council, said:
“Through our 25-year City of Nature Plan, we've laid out a robust framework for transforming how nature is valued and integrated across Birmingham.
“We're really leading the way in creating and recovering urban nature and are one of the greenest cities in Europe.
“We work with community groups such as Birmingham Tree People to plant trees in inner city areas such as Alum Rock, and in partnership with Open Door Community Foundation and Friends of Seven Streets Park - Balsall Heath to develop pocket parks in their neighbourhoods. These are small but impactful green spaces that bring nature to people’s doorsteps while supporting wellbeing, biodiversity, food growing and community pride.
You can read the Birmingham City of Nature Plan 2022 – 2047 here