KE Awards 2025 Case Study | Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive: A Strategic Partnership
Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive brings together the University of Exeter and the National Trust to tackle some of the UK’s most pressing environmental challenges. Formalised in 2021, the initiative combines academic excellence with practical conservation expertise to advance solutions in climate adaptation, biodiversity recovery, heritage resilience and public engagement.
Background and Team
The University of Exeter and the National Trust built on more than a decade of collaboration by establishing a five-year Strategic Partnership in 2021. Supported by a Partnership Board, specialist Working Group and co-funded Relationship Manager, the initiative provides a framework for researchers and practitioners to work together towards shared goals. Together, the organisations have secured more than £28 million in external funding, supporting projects that inform policy, advance research and engage diverse audiences.
The Challenge
The initiative was created to address complex environmental and societal challenges that no single organisation could solve alone. These include climate resilience, nature recovery, heritage adaptation, sustainable land management and inclusive access to nature and heritage. Turning research into tangible outcomes required a model that could connect academic insight with practical delivery, ensuring benefits extended beyond individual projects.
Approach and Delivery
Through jointly funded Catalyst projects, shared governance and a culture of open collaboration, the initiative has delivered a range of programmes spanning nature recovery, climate adaptation and public engagement. Key achievements include the launch of the Centre for Net Positive Health & Climate Solutions, the HistoryScapes digital heritage platform, the RENEW programme, Net Zero Plus and the pioneering Stage 0 river restoration project at Holnicote.
The collaboration has also informed national policy and guidance, contributing to work led by organisations including Historic England and Natural England.
Impact
Since 2021, the initiative has secured more than £28 million in external funding, supporting major programmes including RENEW, Net Zero Plus and Understanding Cultural Capital. These projects have created jobs, training opportunities and PhD positions while contributing to growth within the UK’s green economy.
Significant social benefits have also been achieved. HistoryScapes has now engaged more than 4,800 users through inclusive digital storytelling, while projects such as Paws for Thought and Seeing the Forest for the Deer have brought together diverse stakeholders to develop solutions for biodiversity, conservation and community wellbeing.
Environmental outcomes have been equally impressive. At Holnicote, the UK’s first large-scale Stage 0 river restoration project reduced flood peaks by 38% and restored seven hectares of wetland habitat. Meanwhile, decision-support tools developed through RENEW and Net Zero Plus are helping to guide habitat restoration, carbon storage and biodiversity strategies across the UK.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
EDI is embedded throughout the initiative’s activities. Projects have increased participation from minoritised ethnic communities, promoted inclusive approaches to environmental decision-making and amplified underrepresented heritage voices. This commitment supports wider ambitions to improve equitable access to nature, beauty and history while ensuring a broader range of perspectives help shape future action.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration continues to expand into new areas, including heritage adaptation, data-driven conservation and nature recovery at scale. Building on the success of the Strategic Partnership established in 2021, the University of Exeter and the National Trust are currently finalising a Memorandum of Understanding that will extend the partnership for a further five years, demonstrating a shared commitment to delivering long-term impact.
Future ambitions include developing commercialisation pathways for research outputs and ensuring that the tools, evidence and insights generated through the initiative continue to support communities, policymakers and practitioners across the UK.
KE Awards Recognition
Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive was named the winner of the Strategic Partnership category at the KE Awards 2025, recognising the exceptional collaboration between the University of Exeter and the National Trust.
Through a shared commitment to knowledge exchange, both organisations have demonstrated how long-term partnership working can transform research into practical solutions, delivering benefits for communities, heritage and the environment while shaping policy and informing future practice.
From attracting substantial investment and informing national policy to restoring habitats and engaging communities, the initiative demonstrates the value of sustained collaboration in addressing complex environmental challenges.
Watch their award-winning video entry below:
Inspired by this project?
The KE Awards celebrate outstanding knowledge exchange from across the sector. Explore the award categories, discover past winners and find out how to submit your own entry on the KE Awards page.