THE BCP area has been recognised as the UK’s first Nature Towns due to its quality and quantity of accessible greenspaces.

The three towns, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), boast 2,500 hectares of natural greenspaces, more than 170 play spaces, and 19 sites of special scientific interest.

The Nature Town scheme, run by Natural England, the National Trust, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, recognises the work of local authorities committed to improving access to nature and greenspaces.

BCP Council hopes that this recognition will help secure future investment to allow them to continue enriching beautiful natural spaces, particularly in wards with less greenspace and fewer trees.

Councillor 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.

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“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.”

The council said 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.

It’s even considering using goats and cows to help conservation grazing on cliffs and heaths or opportunities for urban street greening.

It said it is determined to strengthen nature recovery and green travel networks at Woodland Walk, near Boscombe Overcliff Drive, as it will create 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 put the green spaces back at the heart of the three towns by transforming 14 urban parks for people and nature.

The accreditation panel highlighted our partnership with The Parks Foundation charity as ‘an excellent example of collaborative working’ and showcased ‘innovative thinking… to maximise benefits for nature and people’.

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.”