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
The government needs to take conservation, protection and climate change seriously, needs to be vocal about it and protect it by laws otherwise all the inhabitants on this planet don’t stand a chance of survival
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30/09/2022
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30/09/2022
What is different from now? A government that understands our dependency upon the natural world and is prepared to safeguard the environment instead of taking the view that anything that can be taken from the Earth is economically free.
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30/09/2022
Stephen
If aliens were looking down on earth, they would think: wow these humans are really stupid, they pollute the air, land and seas that they rely on to live.
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30/09/2022
Karen
Everyone should take climate change more seriously as it is worrying for the future of our planet.
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30/09/2022
Richard
Government now is criminally uncaring and incompetent. Future government must be environment aware and accountable.
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30/09/2022
Peter Sibley
The government can do things on a national scale which individuals can't, though their imput is still important and sets the example for government to follow.
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30/09/2022
Simon
Very much agree . We need a Government that cares and makes nature central to its to its aims
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30/09/2022
Terri
And the only way for this to happen is if nature and non-human species are given legal rights.
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30/09/2022
Kyra
We need a robust environmental policy to address climate change and biodiversity. To do this successfully it needs to address transport, housing and food production and ensure that the poorest parts of society are protected. The policies must be effectively policed and enforced. We need to stop looking for economic growth and direct our energies instead to investing capital in jobs and industries (including argriculture) that benefit people and the planet. We are one of the countries with the most loss of biodiversity including vital insects and we don’t have much time to reverse this change.
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
Yes, and laws to ensure future governments do the same
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30/09/2022
Carolyn
Yes we all need to act now, all the countries around our world if we want to keep our beautiful planet safe.
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30/09/2022
LILY PAGET-TOMLINSON
more Hedgerows, and re -wilding. We must urge our MP'S to please keep the future of our environment, high on their agenda.
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
Nature has to be saved or we have no future
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30/09/2022
Emma
Great answer. 100% agree.
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30/09/2022
Amanda
I totally agree this has to come from the top and be seen as the norm not an outlier opinion
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30/09/2022
Katherine
That would be great.
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30/09/2022
Peter Bates
Tory government doesn't give tuppence about nature or the environment
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30/09/2022
Tamasyn
Yes and also the government to devolve power to wales n Ireland and Scotland and not every controlled by Parliament in London. Also the north of England self governed and is not neglected and when ecological disasters like dredging in the Tees happen someone actually cares who is local to the area about this.
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30/09/2022
Colin
Politics is about life, what we do and how we do it. All us nature lovers need to make a noise locally about nature and maybe get our nature loving children into politics so they can make green decision in the future.
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30/09/2022
Suzy Sharpe
Yes definitely
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30/09/2022
Pat
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30/09/2022
Louise Brooks
This is the key issue. Unless the promotion and protection of nature is central to the government's plans it will not thrive as it needs to. At this point the most important thing we can do is campaign and put pressure on the government on a range of issues affecting nature.
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30/09/2022
Pat:
The people have power but the Government need to be on board to have policies that bring about change. The courage to do things to help our environment now
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30/09/2022
Nature will have to be central - either to protect, or to fear when all descends into disasters:(
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30/09/2022
Joanne
Working with nature and not against it.
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30/09/2022
Patricia:
People have power but the Government needs to be on board to bring about policies to make change now!!!
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30/09/2022
Debbie
Ecocide Law has existed since 2023 & is being upheld to protect Our Earth
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30/09/2022
Theoni
Totally agree with the above. Sadly what we vote for doesn’t seem to happen . The government has to wake up.
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30/09/2022
Viven
All are valid and equally important in the natural world
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30/09/2022
Chrissie
Without political support all of our ideas won’t be worth us writing them
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30/09/2022
Liz
It’s a wonderful thought, but will it happen?
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30/09/2022
Catherine Burton
Yes to this!
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30/09/2022
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30/09/2022
Amanda
110% agree. It is beyond rationality to hear about this present Govt's plans to deregulate, sideline and destroy our precious habitats and species. We want more conservation not less and it should be central to all govt policies
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30/09/2022
Fiona
Let’s hope this will be the case as we NEED nature
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30/09/2022
Andrea
Yes!!!!
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30/09/2022
Jax
This really needs to happen very soon, before it's too late!
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30/09/2022
Julie
Government must not renege on its promises. They must lead by example rather be dragged kicking and screaming to do the right thing.
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30/09/2022
Georgette
This is vital. For the future of our own species as well as others.
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30/09/2022
Roy Shepard
More wildlife reserves.
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30/09/2022
Toni
This is essential for successful sustainability
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30/09/2022
Anonymous:
It sounds utopian at the moment, but this should be normal at all levels of government and in people's mindsets as well.
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30/09/2022
Bryony
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30/09/2022
Diane
All rooftop space and bus shelters etc could be used for plants
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30/09/2022
Lindsay
We have to make it a priority for the survival of all things. Nature & wildlife must be restored
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01/10/2022
Mary
Yes! There’s no other sane approach, it’s essential to our physical and mental well-being.
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01/10/2022
John
Not impressed about how government continues to u turn on promises they gave to protect nature. U turns on childhood obesity. What could be more important than our children's future,
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01/10/2022
Catherine
Yes those with power need to act responsibly
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01/10/2022
Susan
We need more evidence that Gov is protecting our environment and biodiversity. While serving the public. Legislation needs to work much faster in weeks not years. EU laws work. We all need to work together. Those found to damage our environment need to be stopped and effectively punished. Never to continue to cause damage.
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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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