Public libraries have emerged as champions of environmental engagement and action, thanks to a groundbreaking research and development project led by Libraries Connected and Natural England.

A new evaluation of Culture Nature England, which ran from March 2024 – March 2025, reveals how participating libraries were transformed into hubs for nature connection and wellbeing, reaching thousands of people who might otherwise never set foot in a park or nature reserve.

Delivered as part of Natural England’s Protected Site Strategies, the project awarded grants of up to £6,000 to library services across England, which used the funding to host hundreds of environmentally-focused events, from sensory nature walks and community gardening to immersive digital experiences and nature-inspired arts and crafts, with thousands of people participating in the projects across 25 library services.

The researchers – from the University of Gloucestershire’s Countryside and Community Research Institute and EAP Research Consultancy Ltd - found that the project not only deepened participants’ connection to the natural world but also delivered significant wellbeing benefits: 84% of participants felt more connected to nature after taking part, while 98% reported improved mood and mental health.

Crucially, the programme succeeded in engaging under-served audiences - including people seeking asylum, ESOL learners, disabled and neurodiverse individuals, and families in low-income communities. The evaluation found that the trusted status, accessibility and community ethos of public libraries were a key factor in reaching these audiences.

The findings were formally presented by the Culture Nature team at today's Green Libraries Conference at Kings Place in London, part of Green Libraries Week.

Isobel Hunter MBE, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, said:

"There are opportunities to discover and rediscover the natural world all around us, wherever we live – and the library network is uniquely placed to facilitate that. Green Libraries Week is the perfect moment to celebrate and learn from what the project has achieved."

Cordelia Spalding, Senior Specialist for Public Engagement for Natural England, said:

"Protected Site Strategies has opened up the opportunity to work with stakeholders in ways that deepen collaboration and ultimately provide the route to recovery for our most valued Protected Sites. The opportunity to work with such an established organisation as Libraries Connected, and so many wonderful libraries and library staff has proven to be an asset - enabling both nature and people recovery."