The Local Places for Nature (LPfN) programme is a Welsh Government initiative designed to support community-led nature projects, helping communities create or enhance green spaces “on their doorstep,” including in areas with limited previous access to nature or in more deprived communities.
Key findings from the final evaluation
Personal and wellbeing outcomes
Participation in LPfN projects was associated with a range of personal benefits. Across participants, the evaluation reports improvements in wellbeing, gaining practical skills or knowledge, meeting new people and positive effects on physical health, particularly where projects offered hands-on involvement with nature.
Engagement and access
The evaluation reports that participation in nature-focused activities often reinforced existing positive attitudes towards green spaces and encouraged some increase in general eco-friendly behaviours. Projects aimed at people with limited prior access to nature reported that participants felt more connected to others and experienced wellbeing benefits as a result of being involved.
Mechanisms for success
The report highlights several factors linked to stronger outcomes such as aligning project aims with local motivations for participation, understanding and tailoring engagement to who the project is targeting, giving local groups flexibility in delivery, combining practical activities with learning, supporting local volunteers and ensuring activities are sustained over time.
What the evaluation doesn’t do
This final evaluation does not provide an overall causal estimate of nature outcomes (e.g. biodiversity measures) across Wales. It instead focuses on participant experiences, engagement and mechanisms of delivery.
Read the full Welsh Government evaluation:
Local Places for Nature Evaluation: 2020 to 2025 (final report – December 2025) — GOV.WALES
