Led by Norfolk Wildlife Trust in partnership with Norfolk and Waveney Mind and Norwich City Council, Wilder Norwich will focus on the areas surrounding three of the city's natural spaces: NWT Sweet Briar Marshes, Mousehold Heath and Whitlingham Country Park. Communities will help to create 'nature corridors' – natural habitats and pathways to help wildlife flourish and move across the city. It also aims to improve the mental health of Norwich residents through greater contact with nature, bespoke wellbeing activities and taking action for natural spaces in their community.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, communities in these areas will be supported to engage with nature through free nature connection activities and walks, as well as to develop their ideas for improving their local areas for wildlife and people. Exploring how nature can help with the impacts of climate change will be a key aspect, helping people to explore natural solutions such as more shade and greenery, and surfaces to absorb excess water.

Wilder Norwich will raise nature's profile across the city, inviting everyone to notice, enjoy and help urban wildlife by rolling out a nature celebration campaign, developed with input from local communities.

Nature recovery across Norwich will also benefit from a dedicated focus on a different urban species each year, starting with the city's swifts this summer.

Lee Cozens, project lead for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: 'Wilder Norwich is all about listening to local people and supporting them to shape greener, healthier and happier neighbourhoods. By sharing stories and inspiring action, we hope to spark a ripple effect across the city – helping more communities connect with and care for nature. Our aim is for everyone to be able to experience and appreciate the nature in our city – and want to protect it.'

Norfolk and Waveney Mind's Community Projects Manager, Ruth Taylor, said: 'We are thrilled to be part of this exciting initiative, to help us all rediscover our local green and blue spaces and take positive action to create new ones. Our diverse range of uplifting, mood-balancing, nature connection activities aims to enable us all to recover and flourish alongside nature, building a human network of connection reaching across the city too!'

Cllr Toby Bolton, Norwich City Council's cabinet member for climate and environment, said: 'We're delighted to be working in partnership on Wilder Norwich to support communities to create greener, healthier neighbourhoods across the city.

'With Mousehold Heath selected as one of the project's key locations, this is a great opportunity to build on one of Norwich's most valued natural spaces and strengthen connections between people and nature.

'By working together with local people and organisations, we can help wildlife thrive while also improving wellbeing and building resilience to climate change.'