Nottingham Trent University and National Trust mark strategic partnership with formal Memorandum of Understanding
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the National Trust have celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formally recognising a long-established and wide-ranging relationship between the two organisations.
The MOU establishes a Strategic Partnership that will support the National Trust’s new strategy, People and Nature Thriving, with a shared focus on restoring nature, ending unequal access to nature, beauty and history, and inspiring millions more people to care for and take action for the environment.
This partnership is the National Trust’s first Strategic Partnership with a university in the Midlands and East of England region.
A celebration event, held at NTU’s Brackenhurst campus, brought together colleagues from across NTU and the National Trust to reflect on current collaborations and explore opportunities for future joint working.
Historically, NTU and the National Trust have worked together across a wide range of disciplines and Schools. Collaborative activity spans peatland management, carbon foot printing and sustainability initiatives, visitor experience, diversity and inclusion, social prescribing, faith and nature, and improving access to green and historic spaces. This work engages students, researchers and academic staff at all levels.
The event also welcomed Austin Brady, Independent Chair of the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s (EMCCA) Nature & Biodiversity Taskforce, who shared insights into EMCCA’s priorities and highlighted the importance of partnership working to support nature recovery and the region’s visitor economy.
Dawn Scott, Executive Dean, School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences (ARES) at Nottingham Trent University, said: “This Strategic Partnership with the National Trust builds on many years of successful collaboration and creates a strong framework for the future. By bringing together our research, teaching and civic mission with the National Trust’s leadership in caring for nature, beauty and history, we can make a meaningful contribution to restoring nature, widening access and inspiring positive environmental action across our region.”
“We are delighted to celebrate this announcement with Nottingham Trent University” said Emma Hawthorne, Assistant Director for the National Trust in the Midlands and East of England. “We have already achieved a much greater impact through working together, and this next chapter enables us to continue this partnership, supporting our ambitious new strategy for both people and nature to thrive.
“Collaborating with students and academics alike enables the National Trust to better restore habitats for nature, take action to mitigate climate change, and improve access to nature and history for the benefit of everyone.”
NTU and the National Trust hope the partnership will continue to foster innovative research, impactful student learning opportunities and practical projects that support nature recovery, tackle inequality in access to green and historic spaces, and contribute to a thriving visitor economy across the Midlands and East of England.