Nearer to Nature

In July 2025, we were awarded funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver Nearer to Nature – to develop a new way of working to better enhance greenspaces to benefit people and nature.  

Spending time in nature is good for us. It supports our health and wellbeing, helps us feel more connected to our communities, and plays an important role in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. 

Nearer to Nature is about making these benefits accessible to everyone, especially in places where opportunities to experience nature may be limited. 

Across the programme, we are working to: 

• Improve access to nature close to home 
• Enhance habitats for wildlife 
• Support people to spend more time outdoors 
• Encourage community involvement in local green spaces 
• Provide lots of different ways to get involved and share your ideas for improvements. 

Nearer to Nature brings together local action, partnership working and investment to deliver change at scale. 

Connecting green and blue spaces 

Improving links between parks, paths, waterways and neighbourhood greenspaces to create a more joined-up network for people and wildlife. 

Green spaces are those featuring vegetation that grows on the land – parks, meadows, forests, gardens.  Blue spaces include bodies of water such as ponds, canals, rivers and coastlines. 

Enhancing everyday places 

Making streets, parks and other public  spaces greener, more welcoming and better for biodiversity. 

Community-led action 

Supporting communities to shape, deliver and care for local nature-based projects. 

Learning and participation 

Providing opportunities for people of all ages to connect with nature, build skills, and take part in positive environmental action. 

Partnership working 

Nearer to Nature is part of a wider programme of change being delivered through Nature Towns & Cities, working with national and regional partners to encourage more action for nature. 

Locally, we are working with: 

• communities and local groups 
• people who have great ideas about their local spaces and would like to see them happen 
• environmental organisations 
• public, private and third sector partners 

Together, we are building the foundations for long-term transformation to place nature and communities at the heart of how our towns and places are planned, designed and managed.

Nearer to Nature is about making it easier for everyone to take part in shaping green places. 

You can: 

• explore your local green spaces 
• take part in community activities and events 
• volunteer to support nature projects 
• get involved in improving your neighbourhood 
• Let us know what is important to you locally 
• Let us know what improvements and changes you would like to see in your local spaces 
• Help shape the design of your local space 

We will post opportunities here as they become available through questionnaires, events and activities. While those opportunities are being developed you can contact us on greenspace@northlan.gov.uk to let us know if you would like to be involved.   

Whether small or large, every action contributes to a healthier, more resilient and beautiful North Lanarkshire.  

To stay updated or to get in involved, please email greenspace@northlan.gov.uk.