en.Wedoany.com Reported - The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has launched a Natural Investment Centre in Coventry, aiming to raise £150 million in public and private sector funds to implement a local nature recovery strategy and protect and improve urban natural land, equivalent to the size of 50,000 football pitches.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and UK Government Nature Minister Mary Creagh jointly inaugurated the centre in Coventry. The centre will connect businesses with a range of projects seeking funding, covering initiatives such as creating green spaces, improving biodiversity, enhancing air and water quality, and strengthening regional climate resilience. Mayor Parker stated that the region's economy already benefits by £700 million annually from natural resources, and the new plan aims to bring additional value to these natural assets, helping them survive and thrive. He noted that making it easier for residents to access nature can improve health and wellbeing, thereby reducing pressure on the NHS and increasing labor participation, while measures like tree planting can also provide a barrier against extreme heat and flooding for homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh added that the centre will launch a series of nature recovery projects, ranging from tree planting and river restoration to the reconstruction of historic heathlands. The West Midlands is one of five regional pathfinder projects selected by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to test how the department can tailor its services to regional needs, supporting both local and national priorities.
The centre has already listed initial investment opportunities totaling £2 million, specifically including the expansion of a micro-forest network in Coventry, the creation of a community tree nursery in Birmingham, the restoration of a section of river flowing through Solihull, and the reconstruction of historic heathlands in the Black Country. On the launch day, Parker, Creagh, and Coventry City Council Deputy Leader Lynnette Kelly visited Lakeside Park, about a mile from the city centre. The Sherbourne River in the park has undergone major restoration aimed at restoring natural water flow, with newly created wetlands and ponds providing habitats and feeding grounds for species such as amphibians, aquatic plants, pollinators, and birds. This project received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust hopes to replicate this success through its "Ripple Effect Ponds Project," planning to create or restore an additional 100 ponds in historic nature hotspots across Meriden Gap, Solihull, Coventry, and large areas of Warwickshire. Ian Jelley, the trust's Landscape Recovery Director, stated that the new investment centre offers local businesses the opportunity to support high-impact nature initiatives, demonstrating how public, private, and environmental partners can work together to scale up nature recovery, with a model that can be replicated in other regions. He noted that supporting nature recovery helps achieve tangible environmental outcomes locally and aids climate adaptation, water management, and community wellbeing.
Coventry City Council Deputy Leader Councillor Lynnette Kelly said this is an excellent opportunity for businesses looking to connect with nature and improve outcomes for residents and the environment. She believes such green initiatives support both the local economy and equitable access to green spaces, and called on local businesses to get involved.
