Nature & Climate Action in
Leeds: A Legacy of
Community-led Transformation

Urban areas across the UK face mounting environmental challenges: biodiversity loss, climate change impacts (like flooding and heatwaves), and unequal access to green space. Nature-based solutions—such as urban greening, community gardens, and rewilding—are increasingly recognised as vital for climate resilience, public health, and social justice. Yet, access to land and long-term support for community-led initiatives remain barriers. National strategies now emphasise biodiversity net gain and nature recovery, but local action is essential to deliver meaningful change. [Gov.uk]

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What’s Already Happening in Leeds?

Leeds has seen a surge in nature-positive, community-led climate action:
 

• Hyde Park Source has pioneered co-production models for managing disused council land, enabling communities to lead nature recovery efforts. 
   

• Seacroft Forest Garden transformed neglected land into a thriving community space for food growing, wellbeing, and biodiversity, supported by CAL and Hyde Park Source. [southdowns.gov.uk]
   

• Alwoodley 2030 ran active travel campaigns with local schools, improving air quality and engaging over 1,400 residents. [leedscf.org.uk]
   

• Leeds City Council’s Parks & Green Spaces Strategy (2022–2032) prioritises climate resilience, biodiversity, and equitable access to green space. [leeds.gov.uk]
   

• The Aire Resilience Company (ARC) brings together businesses and farmers to deliver nature-based flood management across the Aire Valley. [aireresilience.org]
   

• Leeds Green Activity Providers (LGAP) is a growing network of organisations and individuals committed to connecting people with nature through inclusive, community-led green activities. LGAP strengthens collaboration across Leeds by linking environmental educators, outdoor wellbeing practitioners, and nature-based social enterprises. It plays a key role in amplifying grassroots efforts, sharing resources, and advocating for equitable access to green space—especially in underserved communities.
   

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Resources
 

Explore these materials to learn more and get involved:
 

• Seacroft Forest Garden Case Study (PDF) [southdowns.gov.uk]
   

• Hyde Park Source Networks & Research
   

• Climate Action Leeds Learning Signpost [tnlcommuni...und.org.uk]
   

• Reinventing Urban Spaces Blog
   

• LGAP Network Overview & Opportunities
   

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Who to Contact
 

• Pete Tatham, Hyde Park Source 📧 pete@hydeparksource.org 
   

• Leeds Green Activity Providers (LGAP)
   

• Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside 📧 parks@leeds.gov.uk
   

• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
   

• Aire Resilience Company (ARC)