Salford City Council is set to seek nationally recognised Nature City status.
The council’s Cabinet approved plans on Tuesday 25 August to pursue Nature Towns and Cities Accreditation, a nationally recognised standard that demonstrates a city’s commitment to putting nature at the heart of decision-making.
Council officers will now begin work to develop and submit an application to achieve accredited Nature City status.
The move forms part of the Nature Towns and Cities programme, through which Salford City Council and Manchester City Council secured almost £1 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and national partners. The funding will help strengthen green and blue infrastructure, increase community involvement and will prioritise and develop future environmental projects.
Alongside the accreditation application, the council will refresh its Greenspace Strategy, which was originally adopted in 2019. The strategy is a long-term plan that sets out how the council will protect, improve, manage and invest in parks, open spaces and other natural areas across the city.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Environment, Neighbourhoods and Community Safety at Salford City Council, said: “It is vital that we protect our city and our precious green spaces for future generations. High-quality parks, green spaces and waterways play an important role in supporting both physical and mental wellbeing, while helping us tackle climate change and improve biodiversity.
“We will now progress an application for Nature City status to formally recognise the work taking place across Salford to put nature at the heart of our decision-making.
“As we continue to invest in our green spaces and waterways, we also want to hear from communities about what they would like to see in their neighbourhoods and create more opportunities for residents to get involved through volunteering and community action.
“This work also supports our ambition to become a carbon-neutral city by 2038.”
Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services, added: “The work also supports the ambition to be a child-friendly Salford, helping to ensure children and young people have access to safe, welcoming and high-quality green spaces where they can play, explore nature and spend time outdoors.
“We are working closely with young people and listening to their ideas to make sure our green spaces reflect what they want. They are an active part of our consultations.
“By putting nature at the heart of decision-making and involving communities in shaping their local environment, the programme will help create healthier, greener neighbourhoods where children and young people can thrive now and in the future.”
The Nature Towns and Cities programme is a national initiative led by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Natural England and the National Trust. It supports towns and cities across the UK to improve access to nature, strengthen biodiversity, build resilience to climate change and empower local communities to shape their environment.
The work will be funded through the existing Nature Towns and Cities grant programme, with no additional council funding required.
Following Cabinet approval, the council will begin engagement with communities and partners during 2026, with a refreshed Greenspace Strategy expected to be finalised in 2027 before the Nature City accreditation application is submitted.
