London's Natural History Museum is partnering with museums across the UK to transform their grounds, boost biodiversity, and expand access to nature.
In the first year of the 'Museums for Nature' initiative, the Natural History Museum is teaming up with eight museums from the Real World Science network, with plans to expand in the future.
Museums involved in the first year of the programme are:
- Birmingham Museums Trust
- The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum (Coventry)
- Great North Museum (Newcastle upon Tyne)
- Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
- Touchstones (Rochdale)
- Wollaton Hall (Nottingham)
- National Museums NI
- The Natural History Museum at Tring
A 25.2-metre-long blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling at the Natural History Museum in London.
"Building on the success of transforming our own gardens in London, Museums for Nature will connect millions of people with nature at scale, creating a network of nature-rich spaces across museum sites throughout the UK," said Tom Bevan, head of national programmes at the Natural History Museum.
"As one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, the UK must act."
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will support partner museums to map existing habitats and identify interventions to enhance biodiversity across their gardens.
The initiative will also engage communities to play an active role, such as creating pollinator-friendly habitats, digging ponds, and developing climate-resilient planting schemes.
'Museums for Nature' project launches
Stuart McLeod, director of England (London & South) at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said the programme "brings together museums and communities from across the UK to take meaningful action for nature".
"By transforming museum grounds into thriving green spaces, this initiative will help tackle biodiversity loss, improve access to green spaces and inspire people of all ages to connect with and care for the nature on their doorstep," he added.
The Natural History Museum reopened its gardens in July 2024 following a major transformation.
In the first year of opening, the museum welcomed more than 5 million visitors to the gardens, showing a demand for urban green spaces.
Images courtesy of the Natural History Museum
