The organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), making a commitment to work on improving the natural environment, tackling climate change, and “building resilience for habitats and species.”
The two organisations are among the region’s largest landowners and have a history of working together on projects across the North.
Jo Harrison, strategic planning and sustainability director at United Utilities, said: “We have a vital role in making the North West stronger, greener and healthier.
“This is at the heart of everything we do, and we recognise the fantastic opportunity we have to enhance nature recovery, engage communities, improve water quality and river habitat, and maximise the value we create for local people.
“This agreement builds on years of collaboration with the National Trust, and we are committed to working with them to realise our long-term ambition to deliver for local people and the environment right across the region.”
Past joint initiatives include Wild Ennerdale, Moors for the Future Partnership, Pennine Prospects, High Peak Vision, Great North Bog, and Kinder Peat Restoration.
The agreement will see United Utilities and the National Trust seek co-funding opportunities, run joint communications to encourage sustainable behaviour, and bring together partners from across their shared networks to increase their joint impact.
Mike Innerdale, regional director for the National Trust in the North of England, said: “This agreement is a major milestone in our ambition to protect and restore nature across the North and deliver against our strategic goal of working with others to create 250,000 hectares of thriving, nature-rich landscapes by 2035 – not just on National Trust land, but everywhere.
“Improving the quality of our rivers and waterways takes collaboration and water companies must be part of the solution.
“As significant landowners in the North West, the National Trust and United Utilities can achieve more for nature, for people and for the places we all care about together than we can do alone.”