The Blue Recovery Leaders Group inaugural meeting at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire, on 4 March, was chaired by head of Natural England, Tony Juniper. As well as the Church Commissioners, it was attended by representatives from sectors including housing, water, charity, engineering, banking and landowners.

Member organisations will work together to identify, develop and deliver pioneering projects that help WWT reach its Blue Recovery goal of creating 100,000 hectares of new and restored wetlands across the country.

Rosemarie Jones, deputy head of real estate at the Church Commissioners for England, said:

"As a significant landowner, we recognise we have a unique responsibility and capability to leverage our natural assets, including existing and future wetlands, to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes that benefit both people and the planet.

"Our participation in the Blue Recovery Leaders Group builds on our wider activities with other landowners and third sector organisations in considering how to utilise our land holdings in a way that restores and improves England's natural environment, including by creating more beneficial wetlands, as well as helping the government, and ourselves, meet our ambitious net zero and sustainability goals."