English Nature (EN) terminated on 30 September 2006.

Information about the former

English Nature (EN)

English Nature Northminster House Peterborough  PE1 1UA United Kingdom Tel +44 1733 455000 Fax +44 1733 568834 www.english-nature.org.uk

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Current and Future Activities

 Present Priority fields

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan and the EU Birds and Habitats Directives are and will remain key priorities for English Nature. English Nature's  work falls into six themes:

• Special sites
  English Nature aims to maintain a series of special sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves that are well managed and contribute to fulfilling the UK’s international obligations for Natura 2000 sites.

• Beyond special sites: wildlife and geology on land, at the coast and in the sea
  Action in the wider environment beyond these special sites is essential if we are to meet the English requirements of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). Some 60% of species on the priority list depend on habitats outside special sites. English Nature will be piloting the new Lifescapes Programme. This aims to:

• restore and recreate habitats,
• link special sites with buffer areas and corridors, increasing the resilience of the wildlife interest so that species can move and are more viable and special sites are less vulnerable to pollution or water level changes,
• bring nature conservation closer to people,
• provide flexibility for wildlife to adapt to climate change effects,
• create more wildlife friendly farmed landscapes and help target agri-environment scheme resources for nature conservation.

• Influencing policy change for wildlife gain
  English Nature will continue to press for policies which favour the conservation of the natural environment. English Nature will pursue its policy advocacy for the 12 sectors that have the greatest impact on nature conservation. These include agriculture (especially the work to influence CAP reform and agricultural subsidies), freshwater, sea fisheries, planning and development, coastal management, ports transport, forestry, minerals and aggregates. We will work with Government and others to implement ‘A better quality of life - a strategy for sustainable development of the UK’.

• Increasing support and understanding
  English Nature wants to build a broader support for nature conservation by improving its communications with others, and supporting and encouraging communities and individuals to act for nature.

• Strengthening English Nature science
  The foundation for all English Nature’s work is a clear understanding of  wildlife and geological resources and the processes and impacts which affect them. Science must continue to underpin all the conservation decisions.

• Modernising English Nature
  English Nature is implementing the Modernising Government initiative, especially through greater openness in its work, making information more available, and more use of e-communication and commerce.

For more information on present and future priority fields, see English Nature's Annual Report.

Background and Mission

Foundation

English Nature was set up under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act. It is the Government’s wildlife adviser, with powers and duties to protect and enhance the natural heritage throughout England. Its national office is based in Peterborough and there are 22 local offices throughout England.

Mission

English Nature’s job is to ensure that future generations can enjoy a properly functioning, diverse and attractive natural environment as a major part of their quality of life.

Board Members

English Nature is governed by a Chairman and Board, whose members are appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment.

There are currently 13 Board members; their interests include nature conservation, ornithology, earth sciences, rural environment, farming and agriculture, marine and coastal issues, law, planning and development:

Chairman Sir Martin Doughty,
Chief Executive Dr. A. Brown,

Prof. E. Gallagher, Dr. M. Moser, Mr. H. van Cutsem, Prof. M. Hart, Mr. S. Hockman, Mr. D. Hulyer, Prof. D. Macdonald, Dr. A. Powell, Ms Sarah Burton, Dr Roger Clarke, Mrs Lynn Crowe, Ms Sarah Fowler and Mr Christopher Pennell.

Staff Members

English Nature has an External Relations Team whose role is to develop and manage relationships with a wide range of organisations, including Government, European, non statutory and regulatory bodies. This Team also leads English Nature's work on on media, communications, publicity and marketing, English Nature's own grants schemes and nature conservation projects developed with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

English Nature has 930 permanent staff (full and part time) and 50 fixed term appointees.

Work Style

Tasks of EN

English Nature is governed by its Board, who together with its Executive Committee (made up of the Chief Executive and five Directors) set the context and strategy for English Nature’s work. General Managers co-ordinate the development, delivery and resourcing of English Nature’s annual Work Plan.

Substructure and Working Groups

There are national science based teams covering lowland, upland, marine and coastal habitats. There are three policy/operational teams; Strategic Direction and Reporting Team, Environmental Impacts Team and External Relations Team plus five other administrative/ information management teams. These teams support the work of the Area Teams.

Type of Advice

English Nature is obliged by law to produce an Annual Report, and full financial statement. It responds to consultations and requests for advice from any government department where these affect nature conservation. Other key reports include:

• a three year and annual work plan,
• scientific research reports,
• reports on nature conservation and the wider environment,
• Position Statements on various topics affecting nature conservation.

In addition to advising Government, English Nature works in partnership with other agencies, local authorities, business interests, communities and individuals on policies for and affecting nature conservation issues.

Activities within the EEAC network

EN was involved in the early years of the network and became member when membership was introduced in 1997.

It is an active member of the Working Groups Biodiversity, Governance and Marine.

It provided the EEAC secretariat in 1997 and 1998.

EN hosted the 13^th EEAC Annual Conference 2005 on Climate Change and Biodiversity in Oxfordshire, in cooperation with other EEAC members in the UK.

List of Publications

English Nature produces a wide variety of publications listed in its Publications Catalogue. This catalogue is available via the English Nature website at http://www.english-nature.org.uk/

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Last update: 15 September 2004