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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02/10/2022
Rachel
100% yes. When leadership set a precedent the invitation is given to all. Embedding the rights of nature into every decision is such an empowering way to make this shift.
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02/10/2022
Linda
Absolutely essential for generations to follow - and every voter must make that clear!
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02/10/2022
Michael
This would be a great help to nature and set a good example to people in this country and further afield to work with rather than against the natural world
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02/10/2022
James
Government and people in general having a greater respect for the environment and everything that is part of it, nature needs to be protected
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02/10/2022
Jacqueline
Green belt and farmland needs immediate protection from all forms of development in law
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02/10/2022
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02/10/2022
Linda
Yes absolutely essential that the protection of nature is central to government plans.
Agree that where possible people should continue to create nature /food spaces from window boxes to gardens, allotments.
Also, prohibitive entrance fees to many beautiful spaces should be altered so that accessibility to all is possible
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02/10/2022
David
It gets so frustrating reading all this whipped up hysteria about nature disappearing. Less than 5% of the UK is built upon and many birds and insects wouldn’t survive our winters without people’s back gardens. This country badly needs new housing for young people and all the hysteria here just plays into the hands of the Nimbys. People need somewhere to live as well and not all in town centre tower blocks.
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02/10/2022
Janette
Absolutely-- this should be happening NOW
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02/10/2022
Katie
Absolutely. This is the only sustainable way forward. Imagine what forward thinking initiatives could be achieved with the genuine, wholehearted support of government.
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02/10/2022
Rhiannon
Absolutely agree. It is so important, it affects everyone.
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02/10/2022
Theresa
Wouldl love if the highly influencial, family oriented, nature and country loving, "green" King Charles at the helm of change, along with a team of enviromental scientists, grounds keepers, gardeners, horticulturalist, mycologists...etc., innovative minds of citizens throughout the UK and the world, join together to create real solutions for climate change.

My fingers are crossed that the King will take a bigger role in saving nature, and politics. Hope people will set aside differences, come together in the spirit of optimism, love of country, family, humanity, nature, the earth. Balance is key. Peace and joy are obtained by the simplist of means, loosing your "self" in nature.
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02/10/2022
Sarah
Absolutely vital. I believe that relentless pressure needs to come from local groups - people working together to protect nature despite their differences - but ultimately the government has the power and control of our finances. It should be listening to us and protecting us not the profits of big Companies and funders.
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02/10/2022
Lynda Hall
Total agreement
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02/10/2022
David
Completely agree with this
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02/10/2022
James
Cars are taking over of the British Isles THE CAR IS GOD. Living in rural Caithness every day the animal carnage on our roads are like a nature genocide.
Damn the automobile..............
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02/10/2022
Fiona
The Government needs to take more care of the environment, and nature, we need nature and nature needs us to survive.
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02/10/2022
Polly:
The Government is too slow to act. They say much and do little when it comes to helping the planet.
It needs help NOW not sometime in the future.
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02/10/2022
Jacqueline Gibbons
I agree, this is essential, this is the reason I've become a member today!! I'm hoping WWF can lobby the government
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02/10/2022
Anonymous:
I agree. Everything else would flow from that one vital commitment from the top.
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02/10/2022
Rachael
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02/10/2022
Heather WRx
This is very important.
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02/10/2022
Jane
Yes wholeheartedly agree
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02/10/2022
Diana
Totally agree the government’s backing is very important and must be behind us all to protect all wildlife
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02/10/2022
Keith
We need to protect our rivers and water sources. That means no more pouring sewage into our rivers,at all.
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02/10/2022
Ron
No government will grab this problem. We have to do it. Even National Parks depend on Defra funding so they won’t be able to lead.
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03/10/2022
Maria
It would be good if the people who care about nature were not regarded as ‘snow flakes’ by sections of the media. The government needs to put nature at the centre if every planning and infrastructure decision. If the government really made nature central to all its plans then there would actually be some hope for the future.
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03/10/2022
Anonymous:
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03/10/2022
I agree, we need a government that cares about nature and policies that reflect that
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03/10/2022
Anonymous:
We need to remove sheep from the uplands and reduce the national flock. Sadly we also need to reduce the deer population too.
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03/10/2022
Pam Beecham
Definitely this
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03/10/2022
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03/10/2022
Pam Beecham
Definitely this
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03/10/2022
Barbara
It would help if all governments could be persuaded that there really is "climate change" and they are prepared to work together fr the good of the planet rather than their own self interests.
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03/10/2022
Agreed.
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03/10/2022
Caroline
I agree more Biodiversity and protection for nature that politicians cannot reverse
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03/10/2022
Patricia
I would hope that both farmers and all nature reserves would continue to create the right environment for trees, hedgerows, rivers and ponds and woodland for birds, wildflowers, insects and animals to thrive and increase.
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03/10/2022
Paul Irving
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03/10/2022
Elizabeth
Yes and change with immediate effect to a more compassionate and wise administration!!
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03/10/2022
Trisch
The Government tends to look at short term vote winning actions - they need to look longer term to the future and think about the generations to come - without their intervention, we will lose so many species and habitats for ever. We need action now.
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04/10/2022
Iriswoolaston
Love nature
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04/10/2022
Anonymous:
Spot on
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04/10/2022
Eleanor
Absolutely right. The current government has demonstrated they absolutely do not care
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04/10/2022
Lynette James
We need to stop tidying everything up and let nature do what she does best. Leave wildflowers to grow on all verges throughout the land to make up for our huge loss of wildflower meadows.
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06/10/2022
Communities are actively working together to use local space to grow food
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06/10/2022
Jen
If only ........we need to work together to make this happen
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06/10/2022
Ginni S
Small scale farming has taken over from mono-culture and even our cities have bio-diverse green spaces where wild life can flourish. BIrds, bees and willd flowers are abundant everywhere. Motorised transport is a thing of the past, the air is clean, our skies are clear, we no longer hear the rumble of traffic. A programme of replacing concrete with grass in private gardens has reduced flooding.
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06/10/2022
Anne
I fully agree with this but I think that it's a low priority to our present government. There has been more sewage than ever discharged in to our rivers and seas
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07/10/2022
Kim
People are encouraged to grow their own food with their community.
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07/10/2022
Lynn
The government gets its act together and ensures that laws are in place ensuring all hunting is banned. People stop using the earth as a rubbish tip
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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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