We are looking for passionate, dedicated and resourceful people to join us. If you have an interest in nature conservation and a passion for our values, we would love to hear from you.
Take a look, through some of the common species of wildlife that live in the South Yorkshire area around Sheffield and Rotherham.
A recently extended patch of heathland and woodland, neighbouring Wyming Brook.
Information and resources about actions you can take for nature's recovery in Sheffield and Rotherham.
Our Acorn Fund is a pot of money allocated specifically to help release money from the Landfill Communities Fund. Your donation can be the key to unlocking funding worth thousands of pounds to make a huge difference for local wildlife.
Developed by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, the Nature Equity Map combines social, health and environmental data to highlight where support and habitat restoration are needed most for a greener, fairer future for all.
Connecting with nature brings proven benefits to physical health, mental wellbeing and community cohesion. In a ground-breaking step towards equitable access to nature, we’re proud to introduce the Nature Equity Map; an evidence-led tool created to identify where investment, resources and habitat restoration are needed most across our local region. By bringing together social, health and environmental data, this map helps us work alongside local communities to address barriers to accessing quality green spaces.
The Nature Equity Map is an essential part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to nature. As part of our Strategy 2030, we aim for every person to be able to access natural greenspaces within just 5 minutes of where they live. But to achieve this ambitious goal, we first needed to understand the starting point.
The map serves multiple purposes:
The Nature Equity Map isn’t just a measure of where nature is located – it also integrates a variety of social and environmental factors that influence people’s ability to connect with nature. These include:
To make the data actionable, we’ve assigned each community an index score from 1 to 10:
This scoring system provides an easy-to-understand view of how communities across South Yorkshire are faring in terms of access to nature and the inequalities they face.
The development of the Nature Equity Map was driven by insights from our Green Social Prescribing Programme, which revealed significant inequities in access to nature. Drawing upon its Natural Capital maps, we analysed the spatial distribution of nature access and how it aligns with other social factors, such as income, health outcomes, and ethnic diversity.
We consulted with external data experts from organisations like Sheffield City Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, and the NHS, while also seeking guidance from academic experts like Dr. Paul Brindley of the University of Sheffield.
In addition, we examined existing tools like the Tree Equity Map and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Index, but our Nature Equity Map stands out because its primary focus is on natural greenspaces – areas like parks, woodlands, and green corridors that are crucial for both physical and mental well-being.
We have integrated the map into our Strategy 2030 as a key tool for identifying areas where we can make the greatest impact. We are also able to use the map in our advocacy efforts, demonstrating the importance of equitable access to nature and how it can help address broader social and health inequalities. Additionally, the map helps us in our planning and prioritisation, ensuring that our efforts focus on the areas with the greatest need for action.
Beyond just a visualisation tool, the Nature Equity Map is part of a broader effort to foster “nature connection networks”, community-driven systems that not only restore natural spaces but also strengthen the bonds people have with their environment. By identifying places like Parkwood Springs, we can uncover opportunities to connect nature with people in new and impactful ways.
As we move forward, the Nature Equity Map will serve as a cornerstone for advocating for policies and investments that prioritise nature access for all, especially in underserved areas. Whether it’s for local authorities, health practitioners, or environmental organisations, this tool will help us work toward a more equitable and sustainable future where everyone can enjoy the benefits of nature, regardless of their background or location.
How You Can Get InvolvedWe invite you to engage with the Nature Equity Map by exploring its data, sharing your feedback, and joining us in our mission to create a more equitable, healthy, and nature-connected society. Together, we can ensure that access to nature is no longer a privilege, but a right for everyone.
Our Evidence-led Conservation is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.