In just 10 days, 196,118 messages [1] poured in from European citizens, mobilised by the #HandsOffNature campaign [2], urging the European Commission to stop any rollback of EU nature laws under the guise of “simplification” [3]. At the end of July, the European Commission launched a Call for Evidence [4], to gather opinions from EU citizens, companies and organisations on reducing administrative burdens within environmental legislation. Their messages emphasised the urgency of protecting nature for present and future generations, defending public health, preventing deforestation and water pollution, and preserving the hard-won progress already achieved by EU nature laws. Europe’s nature laws are making a real impact, delivering innovation and legal certainty. Notes to editors:[1] Some submissions collected through the #HandsOffNature campaign are still being processed by the European Commission and will be published in the upcoming days.