Kew Wakehurst celebrates five years of Nature Unlocked programme with research findings and new studies

Release date: 13 May 2026

Two scientists stand in a woodland with a LiDAR scanner
  • Nature Unlocked launched in 2021, transforming the landscape into a living laboratory
  • Early results reveal pollinator numbers in Sussex and wildlife behaviour in response to climate
  • Wakehurst Ecosystem Observatory is open for collaborative studies
  • New studies announced looking at wind resilience of trees, wildlife diversity and nature connectedness

On World Biodiversity Day, 22 May, Kew Wakehurst is celebrating five years of Nature Unlocked, the pioneering research programme that uses the site’s diverse habitats as a living laboratory to harness the power of UK landscapes in the face of climate change, as every living thing depends on plants and fungi. Since launching in 2021, Nature Unlocked has generated crucial scientific data to understand how nature can help solve environmental and social issues, from biodiversity loss to mental health crises. Now, scientists are scaling up the studies and creating a network of regional living laboratories that protect biodiversity and strengthen the natural systems we all depend on.  

Susan Raikes, Director of Kew Wakehurst commented: “Nature Unlocked has truly transformed Wakehurst into a botanic garden with a purpose, positioning the site as a national centre for biodiversity research and innovation alongside Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, the world’s largest store of wild seeds. Through Nature Unlocked, we’re getting closer to our landscapes than ever before, and the closer we get to nature, the more we understand our place in the world, and the more we can help everyone understand why nature needs protecting.” 

A landscape shaped by science  

The gardens have become a national hub for pollinator research, through the Trees for Bees citizen science trail and the use of innovative methods in bee nesting site creation to establish a baseline of Wakehurst’s pollinator population and where they are foraging. Scientists have also been getting closer to wildlife through a novel bioacoustics project harnessing sound in the trees to measure bee abundance, plus a two-month winter bioacoustics pilot that measured bird diversity and behaviour. After half a decade measuring landscapes from soil to sky, high-tech equipment such as LiDAR scanners and drones have developed an understanding of how carbon moves across habitats, and the role of native and non-native trees in sequestering carbon. Nature Connectedness research with adults and children has added the ‘people layer’, revealing how different habitats and sensory experiences shape our emotional responses to the natural world. 

During its pilot phase (2021 to 2025), Nature Unlocked delivered more than 20 research projects, with initial findings including:   

  • 2,100 insect counts across Wakehurst revealing 110 species of bee and 90 species of moth in the gardens
  • Results from gas flux monitors, measuring carbon dioxide released from soil, revealed wet woodlands are great carbon sinks
  • Wakehurst’s living collection holds around 17,700 tonnes of Above Ground Biomass (AGB), equating to over 8,000 t of carbon
  • Two-month wildlife bioacoustics pilot revealed:
    • 32,018 minutes of wildlife recordings detecting 99 unique species
    • First detections of dawn chorus species were around half an hour later on rainier mornings
    • 2,000 detections of the Marsh Tit, red-listed in the UK, and 321 detections of the rare Northern Goshawk
  • Nature Connectedness wellbeing research:
    • Pilot studies with 1,200 school children revealed the highest nature connection in meadows
    • Following surveys with schools. 96% of pupils felt a greater importance in looking after nature, following their visit
    • 95% of teachers strongly agree or agree that following visit to Wakehurst feel more confident to nature and connect pupils to nature 

The next chapter: opening the landscape 

Leading the next phase of Nature Unlocked is the launch of the Wakehurst Ecosystem Observatory (WEO), a network of research plots which open up rich habitats for external researchers and collaborators. WEO currently comprises twenty-three 0.25-hectare plots across eight habitats, from broadleaf and coppiced woodland to unimproved grassland, managed formal gardens and woodlands impacted by ash dieback. Each plot is equipped with continuous monitoring equipment, including bioacoustics monitors and soil moisture probes - creating a unique time series openly available for research.  

WEO gives researchers the opportunity to work with a living system under continuous study, joining a community working to close critical data gaps and advance the next generation of environmental monitoring. Welcoming researchers from universities, NGOs or government bodies, WEO is open to co-develop projects that generate high-impact, policy-relevant evidence. Wakehurst has developed research partnerships with Weald to Waves, Environment Bank and the National Trust to expand the scale of research in 2026, with standardised monitoring plots being set up across Sussex, to use collaborative methods and ensure evidence is relevant to land managers over the long term. 

Dr Phil Wilkes, Nature Unlocked Research Lead, commented: “The establishment of the Wakehurst Ecosystem Observatory, together with the launch of our new research projects, marks a significant new chapter for Nature Unlocked. We’re bringing together research across various disciplines to really put our landscapes under the microscope deepening our understanding of ecosystem processes and the diverse services they provide. I’m excited to see what the next five years bring as we continue to expand our research portfolio and generate the robust evidence needed to inform resilient land management and environmental policy.” 

New research project looks at impact of storms on woodlands 

Wakehurst is embarking on a brand-new collaborative study in partnership with Forest Research and funded by Defra through the Centre for Forest Protection, investigating the wind resilience of broadleaf woodlands. The study is expected to take place over one year and will include the installation of two masts equipped with sonic anemometers and around 50 strain gauges mounted on individual trees. These will measure wind speed in woodlands at Wakehurst, and tree response to wind loading to estimate vulnerability to wind damage. Marking a new step for Nature Unlocked, this project will span multiple themes to build evidence for future-proofed planting, with the first measuring the physical impact of storms in UK native treescapes and exploring how risks can be mitigated when developing closer-to-nature woodland management systems. 

To supplement this landscape study, Wakehurst scientists are co-designing two workshops and a trail with the Forest Research team, aimed at exploring a multi-generational understanding of climate change and wind risk, and how this may impact treescapes in the future. The team will be exploring people's relationships with and connection to trees, reflecting on memories of the 1987 Great Storm and looking at how increasing storms may translate to eco-anxiety in children, but also how they stimulate regeneration of landscapes.  

The sessions will include interviews and sensory walks, as well as opportunities to notice and record the wind in the trees, and meet the scientists involved. Through this multi-faceted approach, Wakehurst hopes to create learning resources and a wind in the trees soundscape as a lasting legacy from the project. The sessions will be co-developed by Wakehurst’s Nature Connectedness lead and Forest Research social scientists, drawing on research so far to inform how best to engage the public and other stakeholders. 

As climate change continues to alter global wind patterns, it is vital that resilient landscapes are developed to protect infrastructure and wildlife. By incorporating an understanding of how people connect to trees, scientists will explore the impact that changing treescapes might have in the future.  

Additional new research projects  

Monitoring wildlife behaviour in response to climate change  

Bioacoustics monitors across the Wakehurst landscape will investigate patterns of wildlife behaviour as the temperature rises. The monitors are set up to listen out for birds, mammals and insects, with AI algorithms easily identifying the individual species. With monitors placed in woodlands and meadows, the study hopes to explore if certain species shift their activity to cooler woodlands during heatwaves, and whether a mosaic of habitats provides refugia for wildlife in extreme weather conditions. 

An insight into nocturnal pollinator behaviour  

Merging traditional science with new technology, 28 cameras will be placed in trees across site, capturing the night-time activity of bees and moths. An innovative AI algorithm will count the nocturnal and diurnal visitors and measure the resulting seed sets on trees to assess pollination services of the different insect groups. This study complements continuing Trees for Bees projects, uncovering the role of trees, as 3D sky meadows, in providing multiple benefits for pollinators in urban areas. 

Youth engagement  

WEO plots are becoming a scientific playground for the younger generation, as Wakehurst embarks on exciting new projects that engage the next generation of ecologists. Visiting A Level students will experience conservation in action as they use a variety of fieldwork techniques in the WEO plots, collecting data on the levels of biodiversity that will contribute directly to Nature Unlocked’s wider datasets. As part of the new partnership with Weald to Waves, through the 100 Mile Classroom project, Wakehurst and Knepp will be partnering for two ‘Growing Futures’ workshops over the summer, inviting young people to explore the two Sussex sites, discovering restoration and conservation careers and hands-on horticultural activities. 

ENDS

Download high-res imagery here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IOvxjEz2tbkqvK4P3UfC45UEayh6CZX3?usp=sharing  

For further images and interview requests, please contact Jessica Kohler, Media & Communications Officer on j.kohler2@kew.org or wakehurstpr@kew.org.  

Find out more about Nature Unlocked here: www.kew.org/wakehurst/nature-unlocked 

Additional quotes 

“Through the Nature Connectedness wellbeing research, we’re really putting our connection with nature under the microscope – exploring how people react to the different colours, textures, sounds and smells in nature, and which best facilitate a deeper connection with the natural world and those positive impacts on our wellbeing. By pairing these scientific insights with Wakehurst’s horticultural beauty, we are beginning to understand how biodiverse landscapes deepen our connection to nature and strengthen our commitment to protecting it for future generations.”  
Julie Whelan, Nature Connectedness Lead 

“We like to think of trees as 3D sky meadows – they provide sources of pollen and nectar earlier in the season, and have a smaller footprint, making them ideal for wildlife in towns and cities. Whilst previous studies on pollinators have generally focused on wildflower meadows in agriculture, we’re using pioneering new techniques that put trees at the centre of our studies. Whilst early findings from our pollinator counts are promising, we’re hoping to pair this with our pollen DNA data to provide scalable recommendations to bring more pollinators back into our cities.”  
Dr Janine Griffiths-Lee, Pollination Research Lead 

"Meadows and woodlands each provide distinct benefits to people and nature, but their combined benefit within a single mosaic landscape is often hard to quantify. Combining bioacoustics and climate monitoring across Wakehurst's habitats, we can track how species move through the landscape in response to local conditions. For instance, determining whether meadow species shelter in cooler woodlands during heatwaves or intense rainfall. Hopefully this will let us better understand how animals adapt their behaviour in the face of climate change."  
Dr Rob Barber, Quantitative Ecologist 

“On the fifth anniversary of Nature Unlocked, Forest Research scientists are delighted to contribute to Wakehurst’s living laboratory. After a successful first year exploring the impact of modern silviculture on wind risk and timber properties, and social dimensions of wind damage in coniferous forests, in 2026 the Centre for Forest Protection “Wind in the Trees” project will shift its focus to broadleaf forests in Wakehurst’s Arboretum. The FR and Wakehurst teams will investigate the stability of oak woodland and the lasting impacts of the Great Storm of 1987 on survivor trees and on human societies, through field experiments and a series of interactive workshops that will span a twelve month period.” 
Dr Tom Locatelli, Senior Climate Change Scientist | Project Leader – Wind Risk in a Changing Climate, Forest Research 

“Kew Wakehurst is a founding partner of the Weald to Waves nature recovery corridor, and we are excited to be celebrating five years of Nature Unlocked, a partnership which is helping us understand the provision of ecosystem services that a healthy and connected landscape can provide to people and nature. The more we understand and value our environment the more we can do to restore connectivity with our farming and land managing members.” 
Gareth Williams, Weald to Waves Project Lead 

“Environment Bank is delighted to be partnering with Kew Wakehurst at our Ardingly Habitat Bank. By establishing dedicated research plots and committing to long-term monitoring that builds upon our standard monitoring, we will deepen our understanding of how these habitats function and recover over time. This will support Kew Wakehurst's research aims across the region and contribute to the wider body of knowledge the sector needs to build high-integrity, credible nature markets. It reflects our shared ambition for nature recovery, and it's exactly the kind of collaborative partnership we want to develop.”  
Sophie Moy, Associate Ecologist – Head of Strategic Projects & Partnerships, Environment Bank 

“At Nymans, we manage our farmland using the Woodmeadow approach, creating a mosaic of nature-rich habitats. Participation in Nature Unlocked would enable us to evidence the wider environmental impacts of this management, supporting adaptive decision-making locally and helping to share learning across the region.” 
George Curd, Lead Ranger for Nymans and Standen Group (National Trust) 

Key facts and figures  

Nature Unlocked  

  • Launched on World Biodiversity Day (22 May) 2021
  • The team have hosted 3 Open Days for partners, 2 Bioblitz and 2 SoilBlitz Days
  • 5 research partnerships
  • Involvement of 4 PhD students and 7 interns and MSc projects  

Measuring above-ground biomass 

  • 1,150 trees measured across 17 plots
  • 220 species measured, 93% non-native on-native
  • AGB ranged from 73.28 to 564.31 Mg ha-1 (Megagrams per hectare)
  • Ratio of AGB in native:non-native trees was 36:64
  • Wakehurst’s living collection holds around 17,700 tonnes of AGB, around 8,000 t of carbon
  • Terrestrial LiDAR scanning estimated 11.4 t total AGB in a felled redwood at Wakehurst 

Nature Connectedness research 

  • Pilot study in 2022 included 1,200 children from 36 local schools, and 300 adults
  • Ongoing surveys with teachers:
  • 95% strongly agree or agree that following visit to Wakehurst feel more confident to nature and connect pupils to nature
  • 97.5% strongly agree or agree that they are more inspired to spend more time outdoors
  • Surveys with over 1,400 pupils (sent out after their school trip)
  • 75% have spent more time out in nature following their visit
  • 93% report that they are noticing nature more
  • 96 % feel they have greater sense of importance of looking after nature 

Pollination  

  • 1,500 tree species available at Wakehurst
  • 2,100 insect-derived pollen samples
  • Around 110 species of bee at Wakehurst
  • Around 90 species of moth at Wakehurst 

2 month wildlife bioacoustics pilot:  

  • 32,018 minutes processed (around 22 days of non-stop listening)
  • 384,216 five-second windows analysed
  • 99 unique species detected (96 birds, 3 mammals)
  • Over 2,000 detections of the red-listed Marsh Tit and 321 detections of the rare Northern Goshawk 

With thanks to our funders:  

  • L&G
  • Mount Anvil & partners
  • Peabody
  • Postcode Lottery players
  • Sky   

About Kew Wakehurst 

Kew Wakehurst is a wild botanic garden and living laboratory in the Sussex High Weald National Landscape. Its ancient and beautiful landscapes span 535 acres and are a place for escape, exploration, tranquillity, and wonder. Its diverse collection of plants from Britain and around the globe thrive within a tapestry of innovative gardens, temperate woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Wakehurst is a centre for UK biodiversity and global conservation, seed research, and ecosystem science.  At its heart is Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, the world’s largest store of seeds from wild plant species.   

RBG Kew receives approximately one third of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needed to support RBG Kew’s vital work comes from donors, membership and commercial activity including ticket sales. In the first six months since implementing a new accessibility scheme for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Legacy Benefits, Kew has welcomed over 100,000 visitors with £1 tickets.  

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About Kew Science   

Kew Science is the driving force behind RBG Kew’s mission to understand and protect plants and fungi, for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. Over 600 Kew science staff work with partners in more than 100 countries worldwide to halt biodiversity loss, uncover secrets of the natural world, and to conserve and restore the extraordinary diversity of plants and fungi. Kew’s Science Strategy 2021–2025 lays out five scientific priorities to aid these goals: research into the protection of biodiversity through Ecosystem Stewardship, understanding the variety and evolution of traits in plants and fungi through Trait Diversity and Function; digitising and sharing tools to analyse Kew’s scientific collections through Digital Revolution; using new technologies to speed up the naming and characterisation of plants and fungi through Accelerated Taxonomy; and cultivating new scientific and commercial partnerships in the UK and globally through Enhanced Partnerships. One of Kew’s greatest international collaborations is the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, which has to date stored more than 2.4 billion seeds of over 40,000 wild species of plants across the globe. In 2023, Kew scientists estimated in the State of the World’s Plants and Fungi report that 45% of all known flowering plants are threatened with extinction.   

Forest Research 

Forest Research (FR) is the research agency of the Forestry Commission (FC) and Great Britain’s principal organisation for forestry and tree-related research. Forest Research is internationally renowned for the provision of science, research, evidence, data and services in support of sustainable forestry. 

Centre for Forest Protection 

The Centre for Forest Protection is a joint venture led by Forest Research and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, combining the strengths and expertise of each organisation, funded and managed by Defra. The virtual Centre has been set up to provide a unique hub and collaborative platform that brings together tree health expertise and experience, from the UK and the rest of the world, in the joint creation of knowledge and research to protect and enhance the future health and resilience of our forests, woodlands and trees. The main aims of the Centre are to: Support government forest and tree strategies and the successful establishment of tree planting programmes, improve resilience of the UK’s forests, woodlands and trees, and enhance capacity and capability in forest and tree health research, bringing forward the next generation of tree health scientists.   

Project webpage: The wind within the trees: understanding wind storm risks in continuous cover forestry 

Environment Bank 

Environment Bank is the nation’s leading Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) provider. With thousands of acres of habitat creation underway, Environment Bank is dedicated to nature recovery as the solution to tackle the critical issue of biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Through its national network of BNG Habitat Banks developers can purchase off-site Biodiversity Units to satisfy their BNG planning requirement – an essential piece of environmental legislation that supports nature restoration alongside building and infrastructure development. As well as growing a national network of BNG Habitat Banks, its Emerging Nature Markets team is also exploring pioneering new nature-based solutions, such as Nature Shares, that enable businesses to meet their environmental goals and contribute to nature recovery and restoration.  

Weald to Waves 

Weald to Waves is establishing a 100-mile nature corridor across Sussex, connecting fragmented landscapes to boost biodiversity, capture carbon, enhance food production, and enrich the rural economy. The corridor is growing all the time as people and organisations get involved, and the gaps between pledged land get smaller. The success of Weald to Waves is thanks to the incredible efforts of collaborators and partners across Sussex and beyond. Without collaboration, nature recovery on a landscape scale would not be possible. 

National Trust 

As Europe’s biggest conservation charity, National Trust look after nature, beauty and history for everyone to enjoy. We do it with the help of millions of members, volunteers, staff, donors, communities and partners. Without this, we couldn’t care for the miles of coastline, woodlands, countryside and the hundreds of historic buildings, gardens and precious collections we protect.