The National Conversation

To kick off the People's Plan for Nature, we asked you to have your say on why our nature is so special and what we can do to protect it. In just four weeks there were 30,000 responses from people sharing their thoughts and ideas online and at events at Future Art Centres all over the UK. These ideas fed into the themes and subjects discussed at The People’s Assembly for Nature

What you love about nature and what you think would be different in a future where nature thrives

Examples you have seen of people working together to restore and protect nature in the UK

Here's what you had to say

Imagine it's 2050 and nature in the UK is thriving. What is different from now?

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29/09/2022
Ruth Doyle
England
Government cares about nature and keeps it central to its plans.
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30/09/2022
Elizabeth
Very much agree with this
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30/09/2022
Jason
This would massively influence the future of nature in the UK
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30/09/2022
Bill
Essential if we are to make real change. But the more individuals and local groups do, the more central government will be nudged or forced to change.
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30/09/2022
Yes. Doing the right thing for the planet now, is the right thing for a sustainable future.
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30/09/2022
Laura
This is massively important to everything we love about our countryside.
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30/09/2022
Catherine
We all feel like land, water and animal life protectors and any government knows it must plan for future generations to live in a healthy planet
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30/09/2022
Kira-Anne
Yes! This is hugely important.
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30/09/2022
Annie
All governments, current & future, need to realise that love of nature crosses political boundaries, that people really care and will hold them to account.
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30/09/2022
Kathleen
We need to act now if we are going to save nature and the natural environment. If we don’t the consequences are frightening.
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30/09/2022
Kathleen
Agree totally
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30/09/2022
Kathleen
Vote for a government that is serious about saving the survival of nature. Help local groups and communities to put pressure on the govt
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30/09/2022
Jo
The laws for limited companies and business owners need to change, so shareholder profit comes after environmental impact, enforceable by law and actually followed up with fines and prison.
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30/09/2022
Maria
I would like to see laws that affirm the rights of nature and the planet. The nationalisation of water and protections of our soil.
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30/09/2022
Irene
Nature can’t improve unless it is central to government plans, it needs that coordination, funding and legislation, we need to demand that now
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30/09/2022
Helen
Address the doctrine of discovery and exploitation that underpins governmental thinking. Make decisions that benefit 7 generations.
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30/09/2022
Christine Callard
Absolutely vital. Politicians need to know they will never win an election if they disregard environmental improvement and follow any policies that endangers wildlife.
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30/09/2022
Fiona
Absolutely
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30/09/2022
Ursula
In agreement. Understand that economic growth is not the most important issue, but biodiversity is
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
We all need to take responsibility it the government should lead otherwise it’s not seen as important
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30/09/2022
Ann
Planet not profit
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30/09/2022
Brian
Totally agree, lets hope that money doesn't shut governments eyes to what is happening
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30/09/2022
Hazel
Our future depends on protecting what's left of our green and valuable forests. We can't stand by and let them concrete it over.
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30/09/2022
Nina
They have a duty to lead the way.
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
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30/09/2022
Jamie
Agree
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30/09/2022
John
All farmers are organic and coastlines are protected with marine parks . Thousands of new woods have been planted and meadow lands are
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30/09/2022
Erika
Definitely, without the will and support from Whitehall, local councils have their hands tied by legislation and lack of funds even when they have declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency and they have good ideas
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30/09/2022
Colin
Most important place to start. A government that can support what is best for humanity as a whole, and in the long term
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30/09/2022
Roger
This would be make an enormous difference
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30/09/2022
Jill
This is key, but it will only happen if politicians know that the electorate cares enough about wildlife for it to be an election issue.
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30/09/2022
Linda
This is crucial.
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30/09/2022
Iain Chapman
We need the government to embrace nature and think of the health benefits for everyone. This will hopefully reduce obesity and improve things like Asthma in people thus saving growing costs for the health service
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30/09/2022
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30/09/2022
Obvious priority.
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30/09/2022
Pamela
The Welsh Government already do this. London needs to follow their lead!
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30/09/2022
sara allerton
humans only notice too late that things are bad , it may well be too late to halt the decline as we are not the landowners or have funds to execute large enough scale plans - sadly
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
This is crucial to prevent further decline in the natural world in the UK. Individuals and organisations will need to put pressure on Government in order to achieve this or else it is highly unlikely to happen
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30/09/2022
Jack
Yes and they do this because people demand a system more attuned to nature - not as a source of commodities but as a system to which we humbly belong.
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30/09/2022
Mary
Keep farming and food production conscious of nature, wildlife and animal welfare.
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30/09/2022
Gail
This is the most important change just now; I am afraid our new PM has a disastrous plan in mind. We must join together to maintain the protections we have fought for.
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
Wholeheartedly agree but despair of our politicians putting nature before profit.
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30/09/2022
Nick
A Government which realises nature is vital and promotes nature-based solutions is one I will support.
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30/09/2022
Sally Davis
We have to do this for the Planet !!
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
Yes.
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30/09/2022
Sue
It is important that changes are made by government as well as local groups, landowners, and concerned individuals if we are to conserve nature, wildlife, our open and wild spaces for all to enjoy.
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30/09/2022
Peter Dobson
If the government took a direct approach to preserving nature and encouraging the population to do so, it would make a massive difference.
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30/09/2022
Christine
Yes, agree with this
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30/09/2022
John
I am very concerned that our new government is going to support the plans for improving our natural habitats
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30/09/2022
Rose
The government doesn't care about saving nature
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30/09/2022
Kathy
This is vital. If our own personal changes are to do any good, we will need government support. Any larger projects, like protecting our waters from large ships that ruin the sea bed need government support not hindrance as at present.
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Imagine it's 2050 and nature in the UK is thriving. What is different from now?

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28/09/2022
Anonymous:
More biodiversity and protection for habitats
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30/09/2022
Elizabeth
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30/09/2022
Christina Downey
Locally- less mowing everywhere, more wildflowers and insects. Larger hedges with trees and thriving bird populations. Nationally - National Parks that are properly managed for wildlife and biodiversity.
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
Plant corridors for insects and animals. Reduce mono culture farming. Support small holdings and composting in cities
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30/09/2022
Nina
Ban the cutting down of trees and hedges in nesting time, which runs pretty much from February to October. This will help restore both bird and insect populations.
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30/09/2022
Martine
Stop homeowners from concreting over their gardens with resulting loss in biodiversity
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30/09/2022
Roger
Connecting habitats and wildlife corridors in towns and country.
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30/09/2022
Pamela
Agree, protection of nature must be prioritised at all levels of production and action taken to rectify damage done so far.
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30/09/2022
sara allerton
it will take extremely drastic measures and extremely urgently to remove introduced species and stop constant interference with nature - that this could be achieved by 2050 i sincerely doubt but wish that it would happen as it is vital to our health and the health of our land and crops
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30/09/2022
lynsey howell it's a no brainer without this measure all else fails this is the foundation stone upon which all other efforts rest
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
I’ve had an idea of making motorways green by creating corridors of trees and plants alongside and in very teal reservations. Some countries do this. Also in long term, thought about creating massive green tunnels for motorways with living roofs so we hide cars altogether!
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30/09/2022
Joe
Unfortunately our current government seems to have deeply opposing priorities. They are willing anf sadly now able to deregulate protections for habitats and species. This should not and more to the point cannot be allowed to happen. Please add your voice by contacting your local MP to tell them how strongly you oppose this move. If they fail to listen then use your power to remove them at the next general election.
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30/09/2022
Judi Davenport
Enshrine within a law that cannot be revoked all the protected areas we currently have and add to it more areas
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30/09/2022
Laura
Increasing biodiversity with more trees and green spaces with pollinators in cities so that the links between urban and rural is increased and as result nature can thrive. Rural biodiversity is key as well so reducing all insecticides and pesticides and farming in harmony with nature that our soils become rich again.
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30/09/2022
Gersldine
I agree
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30/09/2022
Sylvia
I totally agree with all this.
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30/09/2022
Emoke Kolumban
Yes, Absolutely! I hope that will happen in the future.
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30/09/2022
Audrey Youngman
Love the idea of green corridors for insects and wild life.
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30/09/2022
Graene
Completely agree with all the comment. Hedgerows need to be manaed better for wildlife.Flailing should be banned. Any spare areas should be used to re-introduce lost wildflower and concentrate on foodplants and not just nectar. Farms should be further empowered to help protect wildlife. Maybe intorduce a wildlife friendly farm assured sticker monitored by wildlife groups?
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30/09/2022
Katie
This is essential
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30/09/2022
Amanda
We want flocks of birds without number, butterflies in every bush, wild flowers everywhere, lynx prowling the forests, wild cats hiding in the shadows, white storks circling overhead and turtle doves purring in every hedge. Oh! And the nights full of nightingale song
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30/09/2022
Anne
Definitely more protection for habitats - let’s end the endless destruction of ancient woodland.
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30/09/2022
Steph
Less mowing, more native plants and shrubs—coordinated regionally to give birds and pollinators safe places to rest as they travel.
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01/10/2022
John
Collars on cats with a bell. Love em or not they are devastating wildlife. Stretchy collars will keep them safe but make enough noise to give creatures a chance. Stop importing exotic animals from around the world.
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01/10/2022
Lorna
Got my vote
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01/10/2022
Christopher
Totally support this aim.
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01/10/2022
Alison
Totally agree. Less is definitely more when it comes to mowing.
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01/10/2022
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01/10/2022
NEIL
More enforcement and legislation to ensure farmland and rural countryside is being protected. More hedgegrows native trees and wildlife corridors. If the farming community can't be bothered to safeguard nature, what chance do the cities have?
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01/10/2022
Francis
Fully agree - especially for SSSIs which are in need of substantial help
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01/10/2022
Patricia
Stop highways & railways felling trees
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01/10/2022
Vanessa
Yes, yes and yes to all of these ideas. It's heartening to read how much people care. Without nature I would cease to exist. It is fundamental to my wellbeing.
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01/10/2022
Complete change of people's attitudes so Nature now comes first for everyone.
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01/10/2022
James
Absolutely - we need protection that protects - the protection for example given to birds of prey is a farce and we need real deeterents along side education to make peole value everything from Harriers to tadpoles Ban all tree felling unless PROVEN dangerous we can not wait 50 years to grow more we need to conserve waht we have. All trees must be protected and prosecutions for those who destroy them. Ponds heaths moors estuaries all need protection this begins by halting population growth - which is unsustainable - and making sure Nature has a place to exist
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01/10/2022
Anonymous:
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01/10/2022
Helen
Plant more trees, use roadside verges as wildlife havens
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01/10/2022
absolutly the right thing to do
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01/10/2022
Sylvia
Reduce the mowing of verges and make it illegal to cut hedges more than every 5 years. Also make it illegal to dig up a hedge. Make farmers leave strips of land around and through there fields that are left to grow native flowers and grasses.
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01/10/2022
Christina
Less cutting the grass, who cares if the motorway verges are neatly mown . More wildflower areas.
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01/10/2022
Paul Baldry
ONCE A WILDLIFE AREA IS CREATED, NO MATTER, WHO, NO MATTER WHAT, IT CAN NEVER, EVER BE CHANGED, IT WILL REMAIN A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREA, PERIOD.
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01/10/2022
Carol
Yes!!!!
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02/10/2022
Planning applications for SSSIs should not be allowed
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02/10/2022
Rosie Mackenzie
Any farmer using destructive practices should lose the right to own land.
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02/10/2022
Rosie Mackenzie
Access to nature should be basic human right.
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02/10/2022
Sarah
Ban astroturf!
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02/10/2022
Polly:
This needs to happen NOW not sometime in the future! Banning the cutting down of trees and hedges during nesting times February-October with heavy fines in place for any that ignore this.
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03/10/2022
Paula
Discourage the use of plastic grass, which seems to be increasing in popularity.
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03/10/2022
Lisa
More restrictions and checks on cutting down and removing trees, hedges and gardens.
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03/10/2022
Maria
Stop fighting and controlling nature. Don’t let developers net hedges and trees. Don’t let them remove hedges and trees when developing land. Make them integrate new build into existing landscapes
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03/10/2022
Caroline
We need protections in place that cannot be removed by the government
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03/10/2022
Caroline
We need laws that protect nature that are enforced cannot be removed by governments or individuals. Ecocide should be taken seriously
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