Natural England

The future of some of England’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife received a £45 million boost from Natural England on World Environment Day yesterday (Thursday 5 June) as it announced a three year funding commitment to some of its partners.

Natural England’s national partners include both leading voluntary conservation organisations and world-famous centres of expertise. The success of species such as the red kite, iconic landscapes like the Howardian Hills in North Yorkshire, and areas for people to get out and enjoy the countryside such as the Cleveland Way are all delivered by Natural England’s partners*.

Announcing the funding, Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “Up and down the country local biodiversity coordinators are engaged in some impressive projects that range from improving the wildlife in abandoned china clay workings in Cornwall to restoring neutral grasslands on the Durham coalfield. Working together is the key to success. By pooling our resources and supporting our partners, we can achieve so much more.”

Natural England’s Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber Peter Nottage added “We wanted to give our local biodiversity, access and special landscape partnerships long term financial security and this three year deal will make a huge difference to those delivering crucial work in Yorkshire and the Humber region. You cannot reverse the fortune of species like Duke of Burgundy butterfly overnight – it requires long-term commitment.

Natural England funding has been guaranteed for:

• All 13 National Trails in England are operated by 50 separate local authorities and include the Pennine Way, the Cleveland Way and the Yorkshire Wolds Way.
• All 36 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnerships which cover over two million hectares of country’s finest landscapes including the Howardian Hills and Nidderdale in North Yorkshire. They often provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and access, and in many cases overlap with areas of priority biodiversity habitat.
• 49 Local Biodiversity Action Plan partnerships
• Five National Biodiversity Delivery Partners: Zoological Society of London; Butterfly Conservation; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Plantlife; and the RSPB.

The announcement has been welcomed by both national and local partners:

Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation said: “We are absolutely delighted with this renewed commitment which will allow us to continue our vital work on threatened butterflies and moths as well as begin work on new priorities such as Duke of Burgundy, Wood White and White-spotted Sable moth.”

Plantlife’s Chief Executive, Victoria Chester, said: "Natural England has been tremendously important in supporting the conservation of species such as Deptford Pink along side the identification of the most important areas for wild plants. We look forward to working with Natural England to secure the best level of funding from government to meet the challenges facing biodiversity now and beyond 2010."

Local case studies

Lessons on the Cleveland Way

Children from nine primary schools will be walking their local stretch of the Cleveland Way National Trail over the next few weeks as part of a new educational project. Staff from the National Park’s education team will walk with the children and point out key features in the landscape along the way. Walks will include activities and games to teach the children about the geology, cultural and social history of the area and how the land is managed today.

Malcolm Hodgson, the Cleveland Way National Trail officer said “The Cleveland Way Schools Project is proving to be a superb way of introducing children to the outstanding landscapes, wildlife and heritage of their “own” length of Cleveland Way. These visits would not be possible without the financial support of the Cleveland Way project partners and especially Natural England.”

Global to Local Connection project in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

This project will engage 11 local primary and secondary schools in studies of their local environment and has been funded by the AONB Sustainable Development Fund. Teachers have received training to understand the meaning of the landscape designation. An educational handbook, linking to the national curriculum has been produced. The schools are supported by British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV). Liz Bassindale, AONB officer said “Working with these schools has increased pupils recognition of the importance and special nature of the landscape and communities in which they live. It has encouraged the children and teachers to act in environmentally responsible ways and the pupils have drawn up Green Action Plans which they will implement in and around their schools and villages. Without the support of the AONB Sustainable Development Fund, the launch of this project would not have been possible. Now that is has been set up it can be sustained by the schools who will work together and share their experience, knowledge and ideas.

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Notes to editors:

Photographs are available on request from the Natural England press office.

For further information contact the Natural England press office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.

For regional information contact Emma MacDonald in the regional press office on 0113 2303533 emma.macdonald@naturalengland.org.uk

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

* Funding details - Natural England has committed £15m worth of funding this year, or £45m over the next three years to some of its key delivery partners to help secure the future of some of England’s habitats and wildlife.

• 13 National Trails operated by 50 separate local authorities – total budget 08/09 £3.5m
• 36 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnerships total budget 08/09 £9.9m
• 49 Local Biodiversity Action Plan partnerships £0.8m
• 5 National Biodiversity Delivery Partners £0.8m which covers:

- Zoological Society of London £45,000
- Butterfly Conservation - £309,000
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - £40,000
- Plantlife - £119,000
- RSPB - £255,000

Natural England announced an extra £5 million for England’s wildlife on International Biodiversity Day on (Thursday 22 May) to support wildlife recovery. The £5 million funding package over the next three years will work across two levels. It will fund projects that protect specific endangered species, but the selection criteria will also favour initiatives dedicated to the revival of habitats and species across large areas. The scheme is open to Voluntary Conservation Organisations who make a substantial contribution to Natural England’s lead role in safeguarding the natural environment.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.