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The science of Natural England: now and then

Image shows two geological mounds of tall craggy rocks standing on the edge of a grassy cliff. The sea can be seen in the distance. The area is Axmouth To Lyme Regis Under Cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest

By Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist at Natural England Science, evidence and evaluation sit at the heart of Natural England. Our teams work across a range of ecological, earth, economic and social sciences. With a strong focus on collaboration with …

Wetland restoration: for people and planet

Image shows a common redshank bird standing within a grassy patch with white native flowers growing around it.

By Craig Ralston, Reserve Manager, Natural England World Wetlands Day, an annual awareness day, marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971. The adoption took place in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on …

Environmental Improvement Plan one year on: Driving Nature recovery on land and sea

Puffin, atlantic puffin, Scientific name: Fratercula arctica with a beak full of sand eels. Perched on a lichen covered rock. Blue sky background. Facing left. Horizontal

By Alan Law, Deputy Chief Executive, Natural England This time last year, Defra’s Secretary of State launched the Environmental Improvement Plan to an audience of nature conservation bodies and the media in the nature rich setting of Camley Street Natural …

30 by 30: a boost for nature recovery

Image shows a large tree standing within a lush green forest.

Written by James Markwick Principal Adviser, Biodiversity Policy  After a year of extreme weather events in which many climate records were broken, world leaders met in Dubai to discuss tackling climate change at COP28, with the hope of keeping alive …

LIFE in the Ravines: planting for the future

The team climb a tall grassy hill. There is fallen snow or frost coating the ground. A blue sky hangs overhead, and rolling hills in the distance, all covered in white coating.

It is no easy feat, hefting heavy gear across rugged terrain, with young, tender saplings in tow. But that’s exactly the task of our amazing woodland restoration teams as they set about tree planting in the autumn and winter seasons. …

Farming for Nature Recovery

Two Marden Farmers harvesting yellow rattle seed amongst the tall grasses. There are trees in the background.

Across the country, Natural England is working closely with farmers and landowners to deliver nature recovery at a landscape-scale - restoring and enhancing England’s wildlife-rich places. A fine example of this is within our Sussex and Kent team, where we …

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 …

Join us in celebrating England’s most important places for nature – National Nature Reserves

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: National Nature Reserve

By Jamie Neale, NNR Week Coordinator, Natural England 2023 is a pioneering year for England’s most important places for nature, National Nature Reserves (NNRs). Between May 20th and May 29th, the very first National Nature Reserves Week (NNR Week) will …

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 …