The multi-million-pound programme will be delivered by four Wildlife Trusts: London Wildlife Trust; Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust; the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside; and Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

During the next six years, these Wildlife Trusts will each receive investment from The All England Lawn Tennis Club and Emirates to fund bespoke projects and initiatives in their local urban areas, with a particular focus on bringing disadvantaged children, young people aged 16-24, and families closer to nature, and creating a lasting infrastructure legacy for the benefit of future generations.

Research conducted on behalf of the four Wildlife Trusts indicated that roughly one out of eight children from low socio-economic backgrounds aged under 12 has never experienced nature. Lack of green space facilities nearby (21%) and the cost of transport (17%) to get to the nearest green space facilities were identified by parents as two of the key barriers to their children spending more time in nature. Parents identified improved mood (48%), overall happiness (48%), more active (42%) and better physical health (35%) as the top positive changes within their children after they had spent time in nature.

Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust will use the funds provided by Championing Nature to deliver a wide-ranging new programme of education and community engagement. The Trust will offer interactive nature based education sessions to schools in Birmingham, prioritising schools with the lowest access to green space. We will also create a new year round series of nature focused outreach events open to young people and the wider community. Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust will also invest in a major overhaul of our iconic environmental education site, Centre of the Earth.

“We are incredibly excited at the opportunity that Championing Nature provides to us,” said Dr Delia Garratt, B&BCWT Chief Executive. “The funding offered through Championing Nature will enable Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust to deliver deeply rewarding education and engagement activity to some of the most at risk and nature deprived young people in England, enabling these young people to release the immense benefits that can be had from a connection to the natural world.”

Championing Nature was officially launched at the AELTC’s Community Tennis Centre at Raynes Park, with representatives of the four Wildlife Trusts, All England Club and Emirates joined by programme ambassador Steve Backshall MBE to mark a collective commitment to creating lasting change through positive community engagement and increased connection to nature.

Steve Backshall MBE, who is renowned for his lifelong passion and commitment to nature, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable benefits that a closer connection to nature and the outdoors can provide. The Championing Nature programme is a great opportunity to encourage children, young people and families living in urban environments to discover and explore the green spaces around them. Through my role as President of Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, I’m familiar with the fantastic work these organisations do to protect wildlife and enhance the natural environment. The four Wildlife Trusts have some exciting plans ready to roll out, thanks to the support of the Championing Nature programme, and I am looking forward to seeing the positive difference they will make to the lives of many.”