History

We’ve been delivering world-class research on restoring nature in urban centres for nearly 20 years.

Bruce Clarkson started the charge into urban ecology in 2005. This initial project was funded by what was then the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

In 2016 a further 4 years of funding was awarded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to continue research into urban restoration. This funding seeded the assembly of a world-class research team and the creation the People, Cities & Nature research programme.

In 2021 MBIE awarded 5 years of funding under a new project named ‘Restoring Urban Nature’. This is a five-year project designed to continue the work started with People Cities & Nature while expanding the reach and deepening the applications.

Moving forward, People, Cities & Nature continues to be our project brand.