Natural England

Children & Nature Programme: the importance of integrating time spent in nature at school

Martin Gilchrist, 16 May 2023 - Education, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Science and evidence

Across government, we share an aspiration to create healthy, happy societies. One mechanism for achieving this is by improving the connection people have with nature, which provides better mental and physical health. For children, the effects are more profound, with …

The death of Free, a Natural England tagged hen harrier

Stephanie Bird-Halton, 5 May 2023 - Hen Harriers, Protected sites and species, Wildlife

Stephanie Bird-Halton, Director, National Delivery, Natural England Hen harriers are currently extremely rare in England due to illegal persecution and nest disturbance, primarily in areas associated with grouse shooting. Natural England satellite-tracks hen harriers in order to investigate patterns of …

Nature Recovery: led by evidence. Chief Scientist Report 2022

Tim Hill, 20 April 2023 - Biodiversity, Science and evidence, Wildlife

Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist at Natural England, tells us about the publication of Natural England’s fifth Chief Scientist Report. Never before has good quality science, evidence and analysis on environmental change been so important for nature, society and the …

How new fire management partnerships are helping nature to recover at Hatfield Moors

Natural England, 4 April 2023 - Biodiversity, Landscapes and access, National Nature Reserve, Natural England, Nature Recovery Network, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Peat, Uncategorized, Wildlife

Almost three years on from a serious wildfire at Hatfield Moors near Doncaster, nature is in recovery thanks to an ever-stronger partnership between Natural England and South Yorkshire and Humberside Fire and Rescue Services. A new, jointly written Wildfire Management …

Water and nature recovery

John Holmes, 4 April 2023 - Landscapes, Natural England, Nature Recovery Network, Protected sites and species

By John Holmes, Strategy Director, Natural England Water is a fundamental resource for life - there is no environment, society, or economy without it and yet it has probably been taken for granted more than other resource. Perhaps that is …

Changing seasons on the Natural England Board

Tony Juniper, 31 March 2023 - Natural England

By Tony Juniper CBE, Chair This time of year is all about rebirth and renewal and so it is with the Natural England Board, the body that provides our strategic leadership, oversight and assurance. As the Chair, it’s my duty …

Natural England’s Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, devised to protect our waterways from pollution and enable home building, has now launched

Mike Burke, 31 March 2023 - Biodiversity, Protected sites and species, Site of Special Scientific Interest

By Mike Burke, Programme Director – Sustainable Development Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem for freshwater habitats and estuaries which provide a vital home to many species including wetland birds, fish, and insects. Increased levels of nutrients such as nitrogen …

Measuring biodiversity net gain - Publication of Biodiversity Metric 4.0

Mike Burke, 28 March 2023 - Biodiversity

By Mike Burke, Programme Director – Sustainable Development Hot on the heels of the recent policy updates and associated guidance from Defra last week, we're pleased to share the publication of the biodiversity metric 4.0, another important milestone for biodiversity net …

Homes around the heathland: Giving people and wildlife the best place to live

Allison Potts, 22 March 2023 - Special Protection Area

By Allison Potts, Thames Solent Area Manager Nestled amongst the gorse and scrub of the Thames Basin Heath’s Special Protection Area lie some of the most important habitats for ground-nesting birds in the world. The nightjar, Dartford warbler and woodlark …

Update on the Hen Harrier Brood Management Trial

John Holmes, 16 March 2023 - Biodiversity, Hen Harriers, Licensing, Protected sites and species, Science and evidence

By John Holmes, Strategy Director, Natural England Natural England is involved in several initiatives under the Hen Harrier Action Plan, one of which is the brood management trial. Brood management involves taking the eggs or chicks of some Hen Harriers …

Blog Natural England