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Protected sites and species

Wildfire: Why following the Countryside Code is essential in reducing the risk of fires in the countryside

Fire burning corn fields

  Wildfire. The term conjures up images of raging fires and smouldering forests, something we would usually expect to see on television from international news stations, caused by freak weather events. Unfortunately, so-called wildfires are all too common in England …

Licensing ‘diversionary feeding’ of Hen Harriers on and around grouse moors

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Hen Harriers, Natural England, Protected sites and species
Hen harrier

This is one of a series of blogs intended to share updates on our Hen Harrier recovery work. The last blog was on Hen harrier monitoring, and the actions taken when a tagged bird is lost, while this one covers …

Creating the new homes and the healthy natural environment we need

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Environment Act, Protected sites and species

Natural England and Government have provided advice and support this week to help local planners and developers tackle two challenges that can sometimes be seen as in competition – building the homes the country needs while also protecting and restoring …

Hen harrier monitoring, and the actions taken when a tagged bird is lost

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Licensing, Protected sites and species, Science and evidence, Wildlife
Juvenile male hen harrier

Alongside our partners, Natural England is involved in a number of initiatives to support the recovery of hen harriers in England, including satellite tracking birds to investigate patterns of dispersal and survival. In this blog, we will share the latest …

Updates to planning guidance to help safeguard England’s protected species and ancient woodland, ancient and veteran trees

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Protected sites and species, Uncategorized
A bluebell carpet at Thorpe Wood Peterborough

Recently we updated our standing advice to help local planning authorities take planning decisions which protect and enhance England’s irreplaceable ancient woodland, ancient and veteran trees and our rare and threatened species. Natural England’s role is to provide advice to …

Rewilding the Marches Mosses – Britain’s third largest raised bog

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Parks, trails and nature reserves, Peat, Protected sites and species

By Dr. Joan Daniels, MBE, Natural England’s Marches Mosses BogLIFE Project Officer, at Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve.  For 30 years, I have been lucky enough to lead Natural England/Natural Resources Wales rewilding of the centre of …

The Story of the Cotswold Water Park SSSI

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Protected sites and species, Site of Special Scientific Interest

The Cotswold Water Park was created and continues to expand as a result of mineral mining activity across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. It comprises of over 170 lakes, and is an incredibly important place for biodiversity, recreation, continued mineral operations …

Swanscombe cements its place among England’s finest nature sites – James Seymour, Area Manager for Kent and Sussex

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Protected sites and species

The designation of a new Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is always a cause for celebration in Natural England because it means more of the rich fabric of our natural world has been recognised. This only happens after a …