Local communities to receive £79 million to restore nature - Defra
Environment Secretary announces local communities to receive £79 million to restore nature and adapt to climate change
- Environment Secretary announces £53 million will fund urban and rural tree planting in streets, parks and places close to where people live and work, cooling towns and cities and boosting biodiversity
- A further £26 million for Mayors and local authorities to help deliver nature recovery in their area and adapt to our changing climate
- Funding will cut carbon emissions, support nature recovery and help shield communities from extreme weather like flooding and heatwaves
Communities across England will be empowered to deliver their own plans to restore nature and adapt to the impacts of climate change, backed by £79 million of new government funding, the Environment Secretary announced today (Wednesday 30 September 2026).
Community Trees Fund
The Environment Secretary announced that £53 million will be invested between April 2027 and March 2030 to plant up to 500,000 new trees outside woodlands, including on streets, in parks and across rural landscapes.
Trees are one of the most effective means of protecting against extreme weather like the kind Britain experienced this summer. In cities, trees on streets can reduce air temperatures by as much as 4°C, making heatwaves more bearable. One mature tree can also intercept over 15,000 litres of rainwater a year - reducing flood and water run-off risks during storms.
Trees also support biodiversity in nature-depleted urban areas by providing habitats for birds and other species. They have even been shown to reduce noise pollution and improve residents’ mental and physical wellbeing.
The funding will empower local authorities, mayors, community groups and environmental organisations to bring nature closer to where people live and create more resilient neighbourhoods.