First Anniversary of Championing Nature Programme

• The All England Club celebrates the first anniversary of Championing Nature programme with the release of Championing Nature Annual Report and Anniversary Event.
• The Championing Nature initiative is delivered by four urban Wildlife Trusts across England and is made possible by The All England Club and Emirates partnership.
• The programme looks to deliver positive impact in communities through connections and engagement with nature.
• The special event - “Championing Nature: Game. Set. Grow” - was hosted by climate presenter, Abbie Dewhurst, and included a keynote speech from naturalist, broadcaster and programme ambassador, Steve Backshall.
• The report reveals that a staggering 93% of the 28,539 participants (in programme activities delivered since May 2025) feel inspired to take action for nature.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club has today published its Championing Nature One Year Report, revealing the significant impact of the programme since its launch in May 2025 and marking the programme’s first anniversary with a special celebration event at Wimbledon.

The report highlights that 28,539 people have taken part in 865 sessions and activities delivered through the programme over the past year, with 73% of participants coming from underserved communities. The impact of participation has been substantial, with 93% of those engaged saying they felt inspired to take action for nature, and 91% reporting increased confidence that their individual actions can make a difference.

In recognition of these achievements, the All England Club welcomed young people and conservation leaders to Wimbledon for the “Championing Nature: Game. Set. Grow” anniversary event.

Hosted at the home of The Championships, the day brought together representatives from London Wildlife Trust, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust, and Northumberland Wildlife Trust; programme supporters the All England Club and Emirates; and programme participants from across the UK to celebrate the occasion.

The event was hosted by climate presenter Abbie Dewhurst and featured a keynote from naturalist, broadcaster and Championing Nature Ambassador Steve Backshall. Speaking about the importance of youth-driven environmental action, Backshall highlighted the role the programme is playing in inspiring the next generation.

Steve Backshall later said: “Spending time in nature can completely change the way young people see the world and their place within it. What’s been so inspiring about Championing Nature is seeing young people not only reconnect with the environment, but also become leaders and advocates within their own communities. The passion, confidence and commitment we have heard today gives me huge optimism for the future.”

Championing Nature is a multi-year initiative delivered by four Wildlife Trusts across London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle and funds bespoke projects that help children, young people and families in underserved communities access green spaces and develop stronger connections with nature. The multi-million pound programme is made possible by The All England Club and Emirates partnership.

A key focus of the “Championing Nature: Game. Set. Grow” event was amplifying the voices of young participants. Throughout the day, attendees shared personal stories of leadership, conservation and community action, reflecting on how the programme has influenced their confidence, ambitions and connection to the natural environment in their local areas.

Guests also heard from representatives from the All England Club and Emirates, who reflected on the programme’s first-year success and outlined ambitions for future growth. Discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring access to nature remains inclusive and accessible for all communities.

Ulrika Hogberg, Head of Community Strategy at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, said: “Championing Nature is about helping children, young people and families build a stronger connection with the natural world, no matter their background or where they live. Over the last year, we have seen first hand how time spent in nature, alongside mentoring and local support, can make a real difference to confidence, wellbeing and future goals. We are incredibly proud of what the partner trusts and young people involved have achieved so far, and we are excited to see the programme continue to grow over the coming years.”

Valerie Tan, Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications, CSR and Media Affairs at Emirates said: “Championing Nature is a powerful example of how we can work with partners like the All England Club and the Wildlife Trusts to go beyond sponsorship and create something with real purpose. It has been incredibly rewarding to see the programme come to life over the past year, from hands-on experiences to permanent new spaces like the natural play area at Woodberry Wetlands. We are proud to support a programme that is opening up access to nature and creating meaningful opportunities in communities across the UK.”

The celebration also included a screening of the Championing Nature hero film and a behind-the-scenes tour of Wimbledon.

As Championing Nature enters its second year, the partnership aims to expand opportunities for young people to engage with conservation, outdoor education and environmental leadership across communities throughout the UK.