The recovery of 150 on-the-brink species in England – one of the world’s most nature-depleted nations – has been hailed a conservation success story, albeit with the caveat that more needs to be done.  

Analysis of the UK government’s £13m species recovery project, which funded habitat restoration and species reintroduction across England, suggests that it has turned the tide for some of its most imperilled plants and animals. 

Notable successes included the first wild-hatched red-billed chough (pictured) chick in Kent for more than 200 years, the reintroduction of black grouse to the North Yorkshire Moors, and the return of the large marsh grasshopper to the Norfolk Broads after an 85-year absence. 

“A rising number of nature recovery projects, both large and small, are making a huge difference up and down the country,” said Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England. “The success of this programme is an example of how much we can do when we take a joined up, collaborative approach to restoring the natural world. 

“But time is running out. Nature recovery work needs more projects, more volunteers and more money to flow from all sources.” 

The publication of the government’s revised environmental improvement plan in the autumn, he added, will be “a key moment”.

Image: Jean-Jacques Boujot