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Dartmoor: achieving a future with thriving agriculture and thriving nature

Sheep grazing on dartmoor - the landscape is brown and poor condition where the sheep have been overgrazing. there are 5 sheep white within the picture, hills rolling in the background.

By Dave Slater, NE Regional Director for the South West Since our previous blog reflecting on the condition of Dartmoor’s special habitats there has been a lot of public discourse on what should happen on Dartmoor’s sites of special scientific …

Restoring Britain’s pine martens: a position from Natural England, NatureScot and Natural Resources Wales

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Species recovery, Wildlife

John Holmes, Strategy Director, Natural England  I confess I have never seen a pine marten, but I hope to one day. For now though, knowing they are out there, and that they are spreading gives me real hope for nature …

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

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: 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 …

What you need to know about the Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant scheme

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Species re-introductions
Natterjack toad, Epidalea calamita © Natural England - Peter Roworth

Update: From 3rd April 2023, applications will be made through the Atamis platform. Applicants must register to the Atamis platform before an application can be made. For further information and application see the Atamis landing page: Welcome (force.com) The SRPCGS …

Reflections on a Summer Festival of National Nature Reserves

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: National Nature Reserve, Natural England, Parks, trails and nature reserves

By Oliver Harmar, Chief Operating Officer, Natural England Twelve months ago, I was lucky enough to be standing overlooking the fabulous wetlands of the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh, listening to the inspirational words of Clare Shaw, a local poet: …

Beavers are now legally protected in England – the licensing regime explained

Beaver wetlands slow, store and filter water helping to reduce downstream flooding, improve water quality, increase biodiversity, and resilience to drought and adaptation to climate change. Photo credit: Giles Wagstaff, Natural England

By Stephanie Bird-Halton - Director of National Delivery Protection of beavers and why it’s important On 1 October 2022 the legislation changed to protect wild-living beavers in England. Beavers are now listed in Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats …

How a smartphone app is helping save rare plants

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Farming, Protected sites and species
A selection of rare arable plants

Forget Pokémon Go – there’s a new app on the scene that’s helping people hunt for some of our rarest plants. Emily Swan, Natural England’s Arable Plant Lead Adviser, writes about the new smartphone app that’s just been released to help protect plants on the brink of extinction.