Twenty-six English public library services will launch new projects this month to help their communities build connections with nature.

The projects are part of Culture Nature England, a partnership between Libraries Connected and Natural England, the government's adviser for the natural environment. Natural England has awarded each of the library services up to £6,000 to deliver work that enhances nature recovery and shares the benefits nature can bring to all. This is the second year of the Culture Nature England partnership, after a successful pilot phase in 2023.

The launch coincides with Green Libraries Week, which runs until this Sunday 13 October. This year’s Green Libraries Week showcases the imaginative and creative work libraries are doing with, and for, their own communities around the environment, sustainability and climate action.

Among the Culture Nature England projects are an immersive sound and vision experience exploring nature and wildlife in Somerset, the development of an urban meadow in a deprived area of Blackpool and an investigation into the natural and archaeological history of Elmdon Nature Park in Solihull.

Other projects include developing library gardens, making them bee friendly, creating places for growing food, running seed swaps, walks and talks in local green spaces, nature literary trails and mindfulness activities in nature. The projects, which start this month and conclude in March 2025, are designed to engage with diverse groups and communities.

Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said:

"In Green Libraries Week we are thrilled to be launching the second year of the Culture Nature partnership with Natural England. Public libraries are committed to working with communities to address the environmental challenges they face – acting not only as trusted sources of information, but also as catalysts for change. The successful pilot phase last year proved that libraries are ideally placed to help communities connect with nature, while supporting its recovery and renewal."

The full list of library services delivering Culture Nature projects this year

• Bristol
• Somerset
• Bolton
• Middlesbrough
• Nottinghamshire
• Suffolk (Lowestoft)
• Doncaster
• Cornwall
• Blackpool
• Plymouth
• Cheshire East
• Gateshead
• Camden
• Northumberland
• Warwickshire
• Rotherham
• North Tyneside
• Warrington
• Brent
• Bradford
• Stockport
• Westmorland and Furness
• Hartlepool
• Solihull
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Manchester

Culture Nature England is part of the research and development of the Protected Site Strategies project. Protected Site Strategies (PSS) are statutory powers for Natural England in the Environment Act 2021 Section 110. Natural England is researching how to utilise this legislation in ways that bring together key stakeholders to tackle some of the biggest challenges that nature faces evidenced by the impact on wildlife and geodiversity found on protected sites and to help restore the most precious habitats, species and geodiversity. Research is required to inform the Protected Site Strategies Advisory Guidance to learn from local groups and communities, what is actually perceived and understood of Protected Sites.