Reflections on the Role Living Heritage Plays in Nature Recovery

Nature recovery is a key goal of environmental policy in England, focused on restoing biodiversity, strengthening ecosystem resilienceand reconnecting people with nature. This paper examines how Living Heritage (Intangible Cultural Heritage), can support these aims. Living Heritage includes the skills, knowledge, practices, traditions and social customs passed down through generations that continue to shape landscapes, communities and local identities.Reflecting on personal experience case studies from across England, the paper highlights three key roles Living Heritage can play. Firstly, many valued habitats, including hay meadows, coppiced woodlands, orchards and wetlands, were created and maintained through traditional management practices. Secondly, Living Heritage contributes to landscape character and sense of place, with ecological stewardship as part of local culture and community identity. Lastly, Living Heritage provides opportunities to engage people in conservation through participation, skills transmission, storytelling, celebration and the development of sustainable local economies. The paper concludes that successful nature recovery depends not only on ecological restoration but also on sustaining the cultural knowledge and practices that connect people to landscapes. Living Heritage offers a powerful framework through which environmental, cultural and social outcomes can be delivered together.