The All England Lawn Tennis Club has marked the first anniversary of its Championing Nature programme with a celebration at Wimbledon, alongside the release of its first-year report.
The findings point to a clear and encouraging impact: over the past year, 28,539 people took part in 865 sessions and activities, with 73% of participants coming from underserved communities.
What stands out most is not just the scale of engagement, but the shift in confidence and motivation it appears to have created. According to the report, 93% of participants said they felt inspired to take action for nature, while 91% said they felt more confident that their individual actions can make a difference. In London alone, the programme reached 18,205 participants through 661 sessions and events.
To celebrate the milestone, the Club hosted “Championing Nature: Game. Set. Grow” at Wimbledon, bringing together young people, conservation leaders, programme partners and supporters. Representatives from the Wildlife Trusts in London, Birmingham and the Black Country, Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, and Northumberland attended, alongside The All England Club and Emirates. The event was designed not only as a celebration, but as a platform for young voices and community-led environmental action.
Hosted by climate presenter Abbie Dewhurst, the day featured a keynote from naturalist and broadcaster Steve Backshall, who serves as a Championing Nature Ambassador. Speaking about the transformative effect of time spent outdoors, Backshall highlighted how nature can help young people see their place in the world more clearly. He praised the programme for not only reconnecting children and young people with the environment, but also helping them grow into leaders and advocates within their own communities.
That sense of leadership was central to the day. Young participants shared stories about how the programme has shaped their confidence, ambitions and relationship with nature. Their reflections gave the anniversary a personal dimension, showing that the initiative’s success is not just measured in numbers, but in the voices and experiences behind them.
Championing Nature is a multi-year initiative delivered by four Wildlife Trusts across London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. It funds bespoke projects that help children, young people and families in underserved communities access green spaces and build stronger connections with the natural world. Backed by The All England Club and Emirates, the programme is positioned as a long-term investment in inclusion, education and environmental opportunity.
In London, one visible example of that work has been the launch of a new natural play area at Woodberry Wetlands, organised by London Wildlife Trust. Projects like this show how the programme is creating both immediate experiences and lasting spaces for local communities.
For The All England Club, the anniversary also reflects a broader community strategy rooted in access and wellbeing. Ulrika Hogberg, Head of Community Strategy, said the programme is helping children, young people and families deepen their relationship with nature, regardless of background or postcode. Emirates echoed that sentiment, describing the partnership as a way to go beyond sponsorship and create something with genuine purpose.
As Championing Nature moves into its second year, the ambition is clear: to widen access to conservation, outdoor learning and environmental leadership across the UK. The first-year results suggest that the foundation is already strong.
About Championing Nature:
Championing Nature forms part of the multi-year partnership between Wimbledon and Emirates. Both organisations strive to be a force for good, using their resources to give back and Championing Nature is founded on that shared passion.
The multi-million-pound programme is designed to create a positive impact in communities across England through connections and engagement with nature. It is delivered in partnership with four urban Wildlife Trusts: the London Wildlife Trust; Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust; the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside; and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
Each of the trusts receives investment to fund bespoke projects and initiatives in their local urban area, with a particular focus on bringing disadvantaged children, young people aged 18-24 and families closer to nature, and creating a lasting infrastructure legacy for the benefit of future generations.
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