Climate Positive News - April 2026

This month's collection of climate positive news stories highlight how conservation efforts stopped a wildfire from destroying nature reserve, the launch of a major wetland restoration project in South Wales, and the UK's first heathland green bridge!

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1. New natural play area opens for children

London Wildlife Trust recently opened a new natural play area for children at Woodberry Wetlands as part of its Championing Nature programme which helps young Londoners connect with wildlife and green spaces.

The play area was officially opened by naturalist, presenter and Championing Nature Ambassador Steve Backshall, who welcomed children from Holmleigh Primary School to explore the space for the first time during an outdoor learning session. 

Find out more on the London Wildlife Trust website.

2. Oysters to be released in the North Sea for rewilding project

In one of the biggest rewilding projects in UK waters, more than 15m juvenile oysters are to be released into the North Sea. The scheme, which will use a unique rearing process, hopes to re-establish a huge oyster bed around Orkney that experts say will create a “trophic cascade” of climate and ecological benefits.

Find out more on The Guardian website.

3. UK's first heathland green bridge opens next month

The UK's first heathland green bridge is due to open in Surrey next month. Cockrow Bridge reconnects two rare heathland areas and will help snakes, toads and badgers cross the busy A3.

The 68-metre-long (223ft) bridge, funded by National Highways, is covered in heather and aims to offer a safe crossing for wildlife and people between Ockham Common and Wisley Common.

Find out more on the BBC website.

4. Major wetland-restoration project launched at Llanelli

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) has secured more than £548,000 for a major wetland creation and restoration project in South Wales. The three-year initiative will focus on Llanelli WWT, the surrounding Tir Morfa coastline and Burry Inlet, aiming to create larger, more connected wetland habitats for wildlife while improving resilience to climate change.

Find out more on the Bird Guides website.

5. Peatland restoration stops wildfire from destroying nature reserve

A wildfire that broke out at a protected nature reserve at Highfield Moss, near Wigan, was successfully halted by recent conservation work to protect peatlands, experts have confirmed.

Conservationists say the blaze could have been a potential disaster for the site’s rare wildlife and nature. But the Lancashire Wildlife Trust says the fire was stopped in its tracks by its "rewetting" system designed to protect the peatland.

Find out more on the ITV website.

6. 30,000 trees planted to create temperate rainforest

Part of a wide-ranging tree planting scheme on the Isle of Man has been completed ahead of schedule. The Temperate Rainforest Restoration Programme is run by Manx Wildlife Trust who own three areas of temperate rainforest on the island.

30,000 mixed-native trees have been planted by volunteers at the 105-acre (about 42-hectare) site at Creg y Cowin, in the Baldwin Valley, with the aim of improving its biodiversity, flood defence and water quality through planting native trees.

Find out more on the BBC website.

By Eveline Vouillemin ©