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Championing Nature, a new initiative aimed at fostering connections between urban communities and nature, has been launched in the UK. The program is supported by four Wildlife Trusts across England: London Wildlife Trust; Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust; the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside; and Northumberland Wildlife Trust. This multi-million-pound effort is funded through a partnership between The All England Lawn Tennis Club and Emirates.
The initiative targets disadvantaged children, young people aged 16-24, and families to create lasting infrastructure projects in urban areas. According to research conducted for the four Wildlife Trusts, one out of eight children from low socio-economic backgrounds under 12 years old has never experienced nature. Barriers such as lack of nearby green spaces (21%) and transportation costs (17%) were identified by parents as obstacles preventing their children from spending time in nature.
Steve Backshall MBE, a renowned naturalist who serves as the program's ambassador, stated: “I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable benefits that a closer connection to nature and the outdoors can provide. The Championing Nature programme is a great opportunity to encourage children, young people and families living in urban environments to discover and explore the green spaces around them."
