Cambridge Nature Network Projects

Supporting Nature’s recovery in and around Cambridge

The Cambridge Nature Network projects range in scope and scale from large-scale farmland conversion to small community projects.

The range of organisations and people involved includes local charities, local authorities, community groups, landowners and farmers, universities and colleges, schools, contractors and individual people helping to plant trees and sow seeds. Collectively, these projects and the efforts of those involved will make a difference over time.

For information about individual projects, please contact the delivery organisation listed on each project page. To add your project, please contact nature@cambridgeppf.org.

  • 25. Fallowfield Rain Gardens

    More nature on an urban verge whilst reducing flooding The aim of the project was to reduce surface water flooding at a junction in East Chesterton, creating more habitat and food for pollinators, reducing the contamination of the river from toxic road runoff, and engaging local people… Read more

  • 24. Logan’s Meadow: Expanding Local Nature Reserve

    City Centre Local Nature Reserve: New Wetland The aim of the project is to increase biodiversity and expand a city centre Local Nature Reserve. New habitats including open water, reedbeds and floodplain grassland, covering approximately 0.8 hectares, were created. The active ‘Friends of Logan’s Meadow’ group helped promote the… Read more

  • 23. Flack Field Habitat Bank

    Creating a Species-rich Grassland Biodiversity Offsetting Site  Flack Field is adjacent to Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve and SSSI. The long-term aim is to create species-rich lowland meadow priority habitat as an extension to the nature reserve.  The field was arable farmland until 2022, and the meadow was sown in Autumn 2022. The meadow will be managed by an annual mid-summer hay cut. The field… Read more

  • 22. Bird’s Farm: Meadow Creation

    New Species Rich Meadow on Previously Sown Agricultural Grass/Pasture The aim of this project is to increase biodiversity and create 4.05 hectares of species rich, lowland meadows on two fields that were previously managed for agriculture. This will form part of the Cambridge Nature Network Boulder Clay and… Read more

  • 21. Cambridge Commons: Grassland Restoration Trials

    Coldham’s, Midsummer and Stourbridge Commons, Barnwell Meadows and Coe Fen: Trialling the Restoration of Grassland The aim of the project was to trial the restoration of Cambridge City grasslands to improve biodiversity. Trials involved the restoration of 0.61 hectares (in total) of grassland in five separate, publicly accessible, locations. Some involved the… Read more

  • 20. Stourbridge Common: Improving Habitats

    Creating New Wetland on Common Land The aim of the project was to help improve water quality and biodiversity in the adjacent Coldham’s Brook Chalk Stream, through the creation of 0.08 hectares of new wetland.   The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire were commissioned to design and oversee the delivery of this scheme.  A… Read more

  • 19. Wandlebury Country Park: Meadow And Woodland

    New Chalk Grassland Meadow and Woodland The aim of the project was to increase biodiversity and expand Wandlebury Country Park by 20% by transforming private farmland.  10 hectares of arable farmland were purchased to turn into 9.5 hectares of rare chalk meadows and 0.5 hectares of woodland and scrub.  The meadows have been opened to the public… Read more

  • 18. Artscaping In Bramblefields

    Inspiring People: Celebrating The Nature On Our Doorstep As part of the Cambridge Nature Festival, the aim of this project was to engage with people living in deprived wards and under-represented groups, or people living in areas with the least access to nature in the city of Cambridge – and… Read more

  • 17. Abbey Nature Festival Cambridge

    Inspiring People: Celebrating the Nature on Our Doorstep As part of the Cambridge Nature Festival, the aim of this project was to engage with people living in deprived wards and under-represented groups, or people living in areas with the least access to nature in the city of Cambridge – and inspire them… Read more

  • 16. Cambridge Nature Festival 2022

    Inspiring People: Celebrating The Nature On Our Doorstep An exciting new festival was organised for 27 May – 30 June 2022, which aimed to get people more in touch with the nature on their doorstep. 86 nature-based events took place, run by 25 different organisations.… Read more

  • 15. Coton Countryside Reserve: Woodland Creation

    Madingley Paddock: New Woodland (Previously Private Horse Paddock) The aim of the project was to increase biodiversity and public access to woodland.  Volunteers helped to plant 1.77 hectares of native trees. This will create a more connected nature network between Madingley Wood SSSI, 800 Wood, and Coton Countryside Reserve. A 200m… Read more

  • 14. Lower Valley Farm: Meadow and Woodland Creation

    New Species Rich Meadow and Woodland on Former Arable Farmland The aim of the project is to increase biodiversity. 60 hectares of previously arable farmland was converted into chalk grassland meadows, and a mosaic of new woodland, scrub and hedgerows was also planted.   Before: Lower Valley Farm Field, species poor, agricultural… Read more