Bournemouth, Christchurch, Nature & Wildlife, Poole | Posted on July 21st, 2025 | return to news
Greenspaces recognised across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
The towns are the UK’s first official nature towns in a scheme run by environmental bodies plus the National Lottery.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have been recognised as the UK’s first official nature towns in a scheme, run by Natural England, the National Trust, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The towns combined have 2,500 hectares of natural greenspaces, more than 170 play spaces, and 19 sites of special scientific interest.
The nature town designation is expected to bring in extra funding for green space projects, investment in improving and creating new green spaces, and dedicated support to help connect more residents with nature.
Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, welcomed the announcement. She said: “I’m thrilled that Bournemouth has been recognised as one of the UK’s first nature towns, alongside our neighbours in Christchurch and Poole. Anyone who has walked through our beautiful gardens, enjoyed our stunning coastline, or spent time in our local parks and heathlands will know just how special our green and blue spaces are.
“This designation means real investment in our community’s future. The extra funding and support will help us create even more opportunities for local people to connect with nature, which we know is so important for our mental and physical wellbeing.”
Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, energy and environment at BCP Council, said: “It is fantastic to see our ambitions and innovation recognised at a national level — particularly as we continue to invest in improving access to nature for all our residents — and receiving this recognition will help us to do just that.
“We have incredible greenspaces across our three towns, and it is so important that we protect them for future generations.
“Our parks operations and countryside teams work brilliantly to maintain and restore our vast natural spaces, and this accreditation is a well-deserved recognition of that.”
BCP Council says it is committed to creating multi-functional greenspaces that can be enjoyed by entire communities — from community parks with cafes, to allotments and smaller garden spaces.
At Woodland Walk near Boscombe Overcliff Drive, BCP Council is creating a tranquil tree-lined walk nestled in nature by upgrading the footpath, installing carved wooden benches, and facilitating blossom trees and wildflower meadows.
Earlier this year, the council worked with Dorset Peat Partnership to restore more than 37 hectares of land — the equivalent of 53 football pitches — at Canford Heath nature reserve. The vital work restored critical peatlands to the area, improving the habitat for nature and reducing the risk of urban wildfires.
Since 2021, the council has worked alongside The Parks Foundation to transform 14 urban parks for people and nature.
John Hanson, chief executive officer of The Parks Foundation, said: “Our charity brings people and nature together. We work in more than 20 local parks across the conurbation, including 14 urban parks where we have worked on a collaborative project alongside BCP Council to put greenspaces at the heart of our towns and transform these spaces for the benefit of wildlife and the community.”
Oliver Harmar, chief officer of strategy at Natural England, said: “Nature helps us to improve our mental and physical wellbeing, mitigate the impacts of climate change and drive green growth through the creation of spaces for people to connect with nature, making better places for people to live, work and invest.
“We’re delighted to be able to award Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole their collective status as the first UK Nature Towns today, recognising BCP Council’s commitment with their partners to transform life for their communities through providing more and better nature and green space.”
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