Eden Project Launches UK Wide Nature and Wellbeing Programme

Published On: 29 December 2025Last Updated: 29 December 2025By CornishStuff

As it prepares to mark 25 years since opening in Cornwall, Eden Project has unveiled a new UK wide programme focused on nature, climate change and mental health, backed by more than £2 million from The National Lottery.

The three year Nature: Connection and Recovery programme aims to help communities most affected by climate change and health inequalities by strengthening people’s connection with the natural world.

📷CORINNE BROWN (Nature Connections participant) in Eden Project's vounder garden

📷From left SAM ALFORD (Head of Nature Connections, Eden Project) and EMMA CARTER (Nature Connections participant) engaging in Nature Connections activity

A response to climate and mental health pressures

The announcement comes as the UK sits in the top 10 per cent of the most nature depleted countries globally, a loss that affects resilience to climate change. At the same time, the World Health Organisation estimates that mental ill health will become the biggest health issue worldwide by 2030.

Eden Project says the programme will focus on improving health and wellbeing through nature, while giving communities the skills and confidence to take climate positive action where they live.

Research shows that spending just two hours a week in nature can significantly improve wellbeing. That works out at around 17 minutes a day. Eden Project plans to begin sharing tips on how people can achieve this daily nature time, wherever they live, in early 2026.

📷From left MAZ LYNES (Nature Connections participant) with SAM ALFORD (Head of Nature Connections, Eden Project)

Working with partners across the UK

The programme has been developed in partnership with Gwent, Ulster, Lancashire and Scottish Wildlife Trusts, alongside Intelligent Health and the Ashken Family Foundation. It also encourages local partnership working in each area.

Activities will include nature recovery, food growing and art based work, designed to engage people in climate positive action, particularly those facing mental health challenges.

A national campaign will sit alongside local activity, raising awareness of how connecting with nature can support both people and the planet.

📷From left MAZ LYNES (Nature Connections participant), SAM ALFORD (Head of Nature Connections, Eden Project), EMMA CARTER (Nature Connections participant) outside the world-famous Eden Project Biomes

Funding from The National Lottery

Thanks to National Lottery players, the programme has received over £2 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, the UK’s largest community funder.

Sam Alford, Head of Nature Connections at the Eden Project, said:
“We can see the impact of climate change all around us and this programme will highlight the role of nature in helping to solve the climate emergency while also demonstrating how nature connection can also support better physical and mental health and well-being.

“By the end of the three-years more people in communities across the UK will have had the opportunity to help shape and participate in nature connections and recovery activities, helping to restore and regenerate natural spaces near to where they live. The programme will leave a legacy of trained nature connection facilitators and ‘community nature guardians’ empowered to protect and help look after natural spaces in their communities.”

Liz Watchorn, Head of Funding, Climate Action Fund at The National Lottery Community Fund, added:
“As they begin their 25th anniversary celebrations, we are proud to be funding the Eden Project through the Climate Action Fund as they support those most impacted by climate change and health inequalities. Helping people to reconnect with nature is vital for our planet and our wellbeing, and thanks to National Lottery players, this project will have a lasting impact on communities across the UK.”

📷From left SAM ALFORD (Head of Nature Connections, Eden Project) and EMMA CARTER (Nature Connections participant) engaging in Nature Connections activity

Where the programme will run

Over the next three years, the programme will support communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination, helping them develop skills to respond to the climate crisis.

Areas set to benefit include Dundee, Morecambe, Liverpool, Belfast, Newport in Wales and Cornwall, home of the Eden Project. Delivery will begin in the New Year in St Austell, Morecambe and Liverpool, with activities in other nations due to be announced in the Autumn.

Sam Alford said there is hope in practical action at a local level:
“There is something intrinsically hopeful about the act of sowing seeds, growing food or flowers, getting involved in a nature recovery project in your community. These activities will give agency to local communities to tackle climate change while increasing their access to the social and wellbeing benefits of being in nature.”