Centre for Landscape Regeneration Case Study
Overview
The future of the British countryside depends on moving beyond fragmented approaches to land use and recognising landscapes as living, working systems.
The Centre for Landscape Regeneration (CLR), based in the Conservation Research Institute and funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), brings together Cambridge's scientific excellence with practical partnerships to generate the evidence and tools needed for nature-rich, climate-resilient and productive landscapes.
Working across the Fens, the Cairngorms and the Lake District, CLR investigates how different landscapes can respond to pressures on nature, climate, food production and communities. Its research connects data, disciplines and local knowledge to understand these challenges as part of wider landscape systems, rather than in isolation.
A Transdisciplinary Approach
This work is made possible by a uniquely transdisciplinary team, spanning archaeology to zoology, computer science to public health, reflecting a core mission of the Conservation Research Institute: working across disciplines to turn complex environmental challenges into scalable, evidence-based solutions.
CLR bridges the gap between academia and action through close collaboration with farmers, landowners, conservation organisations, policymakers and local communities. These partnerships ensure its work is grounded in real-world priorities and able to deliver practical, lasting impact.
Developing Future Leaders
The Future Leaders Programme supports a more inclusive environmental sector by offering paid Project Assistant roles to graduates from under-represented backgrounds, helping to build the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers.
Our Vision
"The challenges facing the British countryside cannot be solved through single-issue thinking. CLR's strength lies in bringing together science, technology, policy and practice to respond to the interlinked challenges of biodiversity loss, climate resilience, food security and rural livelihoods. This is the kind of whole-systems approach the UK urgently needs. By integrating cutting-edge research with real-world partnerships, the Centre for Landscape Regeneration is driving a more sustainable, resilient future for UK landscapes."
— Dame Fiona Reynolds, Chair of the Programme Board for the Centre for Landscape Regeneration