Five big nature conservation projects have been announced in England.

The government announced five large “nature recovery” projects across England to combat animal loss and climate change.

The programmes span 99,200 hectares (245,000 acres) in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Somerset, the West Midlands, and the Peak District.

The goal is to manage land in a sustainable manner while also improving access to nature for people living in cities and impoverished areas.

The initiatives, according to Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, are “critically needed.”

“They will greatly contribute to our objective of halting the loss in species abundance by 2030, as well as our pledge to safeguard 30% of our land by 2030, allowing us to leave the environment in a better position than we found it,” she said.

All five projects will be completed.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will contribute an initial £2.4 million to each of the five projects in order to establish new habitats, manage land for nature and carbon storage, and expand walkways.

The five projects are as follows:

Wendling Beck, Norfolk – The project near Dereham will restore and build habitat over 10,000 hectares of river valley and farms. More sustainable farming practices will be implemented, and land will be improved to attract species such as turtle doves and green winged orchids.

Cambridge Nature Network – The initiative seeks to create 9,200 hectares of wildlife-rich and accessible habitats in and around the city. New woodlands will be planted, as well as a new meadow. Farmland will be transformed into chalk grassland, and trees will be planted.