THE country's health is in crisis.

Obesity and heart disease are on the rise, nine per cent of adults are on anti-depressants...and junior doctors are planning their first full walkout in NHS history this week because of what they say are untenable working conditions.

So could we help our National Health Service by improving our Natural Health Service?

That is the dream of Estelle Bailey.

The CEO of the Berks, Buck and Oxon Wildlife Trust last week unveiled her ambitious new strategic plan for the next five years, which she says will not only be good for the health of hedgehogs and holly bushes, but humans as well.

By 2030, the trust, which manages 88 nature reserves across the three counties, wants to increase the area of unprotected wildlife-rich land in those counties from 6.9 per cent to 10 per cent.

The aim is not simply to provide more shelter for some of Oxfordshire threatened species, but also provide a green haven for people to get healthy and enjoyable exercise.

Ms Bailey said: "With the threat of flooding in our region, poor air quality, and state of people's health, it is more important than ever to improve nature's services.

"This strategy aims to achieve this by embedding nature into people’s lives.

"A healthy, natural environment with more places for wildlife not only provides us with clean water, fertile soils and pollinated crops – it is also provides a 'natural health service'. "This is more important than ever for society and businesses.

"With nine per cent of adults taking anti-depressants and obesity becoming a real issue we need to encourage people to be active and to engage in our green spaces.

"This is an ambitious plan, engaging organisations and people from all walks of life who can commit to leaving a positive local legacy for the environment where they live."

The wildlife trust is planning to bring its plans to life by working with, rather than against, councils and housing developers to introduce nature into new developments such as Bicester Eco-town.

Ms Bailey said: "We will continue to provide education to children and will engage businesses as partners so they can get the most out of these wonderful sites.

"We aim to create new living landscape areas by working with local authorities in Reading and Slough in Berkshire, and in Milton Keynes where we are already working with the Parks Trust."

The wildlife trust currently manages more than 2,500 hectares but now it wants to bridge the gap between official nature reserves by making non-designated green spots more rich in wildlife.

Ms Bailey said: "We will work with partners to improve the wildlife value of land beyond the areas that are currently protected, such as sites of special scientific interest and local wildlife sites.

"Larger networks of wildlife-rich habitats, where soil and water resources are carefully managed, will be more resilient to the impacts of climate change."

The trust launched its new strategic plan in a session at Oxford Town Hall on April 19.

Found out more about the plans and trust reserves that are open to the public year-round at bbowt.org.uk