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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22/10/2022
Frances M Lynch
This is very important
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22/10/2022
Anne
Agree, the government needs to make plans to keep nature at the forefront of it's policies.
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23/10/2022
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23/10/2022
All developments do everything they can to increase biodiversity. Native plants, nest boxes, ponds.
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24/10/2022
Julia
More rewinding properly funded by government. Protection of rivers and lakes from pollution.
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25/10/2022
Martin
The UK political system is geared towards a general election no more than five years apart. Thus causes short sightedness in the members of parliament who thereby can’t plan long term, nor make unpopular short term changes with long term benefits. If we want government to care long term then there needs to be a change to the system
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25/10/2022
Fiona
We have moved away from a greed based economy to one where all living things have a right to life and are seen as integral to one another. We are low tech but high connection in our lives.
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25/10/2022
Fiona
The government is decentralised and local communities care or people, the environment and the wildlife.
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25/10/2022
Maggie
The government needs to put nature first or there won't be a human race to do anything, rivers are polluted by sewerage and run off from farms seas full of sewerage towns over developed with nature being sidelined or destroyed. We need meadows and hedgerows need to be nurtured not cut down and open meadows for hawks and owls to hunt we need strong leaders to make sure we have nature for our grandchildren
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25/10/2022
Noreen
Considering the government has just over ruled a pertion to stop a company building on acres of green belt and ancient wood land near me I don't think they care at all it's all about money not nature
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26/10/2022
Jennifer
Everyone is fully aware and appreciative of our precious heritage.
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27/10/2022
Absolutely, it needs to come from the ground up more though as well with better education in schools and in communities so every one knows how urgent and vital action is and how easy it is to do something. Sustainability embedded in everything
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27/10/2022
Matt tomlinson
great - may need the wonderful green party in power
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27/10/2022
Roy
If only this could happen instead of the continual drive for more housing
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27/10/2022
Becky
I find it hard to understand why people in power who have young children or grandchildren still allow all the atrocities against nature and humanity to go ahead. We’re still building our houses on flood plains with no positive carbon footprint, we’re still building big houses with a massive footprint. Still dredging, still…….
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27/10/2022
Vania
Nature is never high priority enough and only the intelligent of us know how to keep it going but hard to change customs if we did would be better.
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27/10/2022
Sam
We need legislation and political will to work with businesses like the water companies, and with farming, to deliver operations that don’t pollute, damage the environment or contribute to climate change. We have yet to see effective political will applied here
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27/10/2022
Frank
UK goverent has no right to destroy Scotland's nature as they have no mandate to govern in Scotland.
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27/10/2022
Andrew
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28/10/2022
Miriam
Agreed!
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28/10/2022
Anonymous:
We as a nation need to retain our green belt areas for our wellbeing and mental health
Walking costs nothing but engaging every day means everything to me ❤️
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28/10/2022
Sandra
People respect nature and protect it
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28/10/2022
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28/10/2022
Preth
We as a world population decide to put our planet and others before other things. And demand change from our governments
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29/10/2022
Anonymous:
I think having support from top down is absolutely essential . For the planet and nature to thrive we need a government that puts it in the centre of everything it does.
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29/10/2022
Martin
Agree.
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29/10/2022
Anonymous:
vital to successful reversal of decline in biodiversity, people and policy will make it happen
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29/10/2022
Lynda
Yes, without the right legislation we are fighting an uphill battle.
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30/10/2022
John
My favourite site is Havannah nature reserve in Newcastle upon Tyne .but sadly it is being surrounded by housing .ancient hedgerows are being torn out .trees removed and the wildlife corridors closed off by building
Local planners are allowing builders to ride roughshod over beautiful countryside
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30/10/2022
Nafisa Chhoangalia
Definitely more support from the government of the day
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30/10/2022
Lynda
Totally agree with this comment it’s crucial that our government takes a leading role in protecting the environment and developing environmental awareness.
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30/10/2022
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31/10/2022
Jenny
Absolutely. It needs change from government. Individuals are doing things which is great but everyone needs to modify what they are doing to help nature - this requires changes to government policies across the spectrum.
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14/01/2023
Susan
Nature ecosystems which start with soil health are vital for human physical and mental wellbeing. We must think of the planet's future and stop thinking short term.
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14/01/2023
Anonymous:
Nature existed before any government or people - and will exist after all governments and people have passed on. So arguably, it is the most important thing to consider and treasure
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17/01/2023
Micheline
My wish is that people like me who use wheelchairs and scooters will have many flat paths from which we can access all parts of our natural world, not just urban parks. Not only to witness it but to work in it - to make our contribution to its protection and development
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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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