Updated (3 October 2025) By Sallie Bailey, Natural England’s Chief Scientist This year we have witnessed wildfires ravaging England’s uplands and heaths on a historic scale, with prolonged hot and dry weather providing the ideal conditions for blazes lasting weeks. …
By Susanna Phillips, Principal Officer – Chief Scientist Directorate, Natural England Research published recently in the Journal of Applied Ecology highlighted the positive impact that agri-environment schemes can have on butterflies. Agri-environment schemes are a key environmental policy mechanism in …
By Helen Kirkby, NE Deputy Director for Cumbria Last night in Brisbane, the Cumbrian River Restoration Partnership Programme didn't win the Thiess International Riverprize, but reaching the final alongside projects from Chicago, Albania and the western USA represents something extraordinary …
By Stacey Branson, Farmer & Natural England Catchment Sensitive Farming Adviser I was in the main farmyard when we got the phone call about the fire. I walked out the farm gate to see flames racing across the neighbour’s wheat …
By Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England Earlier this month I had the pleasure of visiting Dartmoor National Park and meeting the inspiring Kats Koster-Shadbolt, winner of last year’s New Perspective Award at the Campaign for National Parks’ National …
By Vicky Ward, Tees Estuary Nature Recovery Partnership Project Manager It is a bright summer’s morning, as I walk through a striking landscape of contrasts. Through the passing juggernauts and across the brine fields to my right, an abundance of …
By Stuart Otway, Principal Officer in Natural England’s Complex Cases Team and Delphine Pouget, Principal Officer in Natural England’s Species Recovery & Reintroductions Team In February 2025 Defra published its landmark policy on the wild release and management of beavers …
By Tim Wilkins, Principal Specialist in Species Recovery When a legally-binding target to reduce species extinction risk in England was set by government in 2023: The Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2023, this question – How to save a 1000 …
By James Phillips - Principal Officer – Species Recovery and Species Re-introductions and Karen Shelley-Jones - Senior Officer – Funding and Grant Scheme Management England’s species charm, intrigue, amaze and inspire us, sparking interest and concern in the natural world. …
By Karen Faux - Local Nature Recovery Senior at Natural England In July, over 50 Natural England staff and partners came together for a 24 hour species recording event (or ‘bioblitz’) on the recently declared North Kent Woods and Downs …