Natural England

Natural England publishes its first report into the state of the natural environment

Natural England today (Monday 19 May) called for a new approach to managing our natural environment if it is to stand any chance of adapting to the next 50 years of unavoidable climate change and the modern pressures of development.

On launching its State of the Natural Environment report, Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:

“England needs a new approach to conservation if we are to effectively tackle the modern pressures on land created by climate change and development. The natural environment is increasingly under threat, both within and especially away from protected areas.

“We need to find ways to manage our landscape to create a mosaic of uses so that we can help wildlife survive – be it through a new ‘national park’ around the length of England’s coastline, better use of the green belt or improved use of public funding for farmers to deliver a better natural environment.

“If we don’t act, there’s a real danger some of our most precious wildlife will be lost forever and our lives will be poorer for it,” concluded Helen Phillips.

Peter Nottage, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber added "The environment in Yorkshire and the Humber is known and loved by people all over the world. It's rich diversity and iconic landscapes of dramatic uplands and wildlife-rich coastline enhances our lives and encourages visitors. This has a huge beneficial impact on our regional economy. This is a call to farmers, other land and sea managers, public bodies and decision makers to work with us to find new approaches to nature conservation both on land and in the marine environment, before it’s too late"

Key findings from the State of the Natural Environment report include:

• The natural environment in England is much less rich than 50 years ago and remains under pressure from a significant range of threats: more intense use of the land and sea; continuing economic development and climate change.
• Although we are broadly maintaining the character of England’s landscapes, 20% still show signs of neglect but within our landscapes there are significant problems. For instance, lack of woodland management is causing a 50% decline of our native woodland butterflies – the wood is still there but the butterflies aren’t.
• Other habitats are also deteriorating – only 3% of our grasslands remain rich in native plants. We are seeing signs of stress from climate change, both on the coast, where habitats are being squeezed between our sea walls and the rising sea (25% saltmarsh loss from the south east of England), and on land, with a range of species moving northwards and upwards such as the mountain ringlet butterfly.
• There have been major declines in populations of breeding wading birds on unprotected lowland wetland grasslands, notably the snipe which is down by 90% in some regions.
• Where we target action we can make a difference. The long-term decline in many of our farmland birds is slowing thanks to more environmentally friendly farming.
• The overall condition of our most important wildlife sites (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) has improved dramatically in the last 10 years.
• Species such as the red kite are recolonising their former range after successful reintroduction, and heathland birds such as nightjars and woodlarks are increasing thanks to better management of our heathland.

The findings from the report have led Natural England to publish a Manifesto for the Natural Environment, which outlines what needs to be done to set the nation on a greener path by tackling difficult questions to help protect our future natural assets.

To play its part in finding solutions, Natural England has today committed to:

• Helping find areas in England for renewable energy by publishing a map of suitable locations for onshore wind energy developments.
• Using its statutory position to protect the natural environment at risk from planning and transport proposals.
• Better targeting of the £2.9 billion of taxpayers’ money it manages through green land management schemes to help people and nature adapt to climate change by: storing carbon in peat; soaking up excess rainwater to prevent flooding and connecting existing wildlife sites by creating ‘wildlife super highways’.
• Transforming selected National Nature Reserves into first class visitor destinations to reconnect the public with nature.
• Demonstrating that significant cuts in carbon are achievable over the short-term by reducing the carbon footprint of Natural England estates and business travel by 50% by the end of 2010. It will do this without relying on carbon offsetting, passing on emissions to staff, suppliers or customers or compromising customer service.

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Notes to editors

Regional highlights from the report

Landscape

• At 314,996 ha, Yorkshire and the Humber has more land designated as national park than any other region.
• 19% of Yorkshire and the Humber’s coast is defined as Heritage Coast; of the coastal regions, only the South East has less Heritage Coast.
• Only 6% of Yorkshire and the Humber is designated as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Outside London, only the East Midlands has less
• 62% of the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) on the region’s common land is in favourable or recovering condition, compared with 72% nationally.
• Yorkshire and the Humber has 89,840 ha of common land, compared with the national average of 41,039 ha.

Biodiversity

• Yorkshire and the Humber has more heathland habitat than any other region.
• At 57%, Yorkshire and the Humber also has more of England’s heathland SSSI than any other region.
• Averaged across the habitats, 73% of the region’s SSSI is in favourable condition.
• Ingleborough NNR has over 30 species of lichen or bryophyte that are nationally rare or scarce.
• 93% of Yorkshire and the Humber’s coastal SSSI is in favourable or recovering condition.
• The Humber estuary is England’s largest SSSI, Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar site and drains a fifth of England.

Enjoying the natural environment

• Yorkshire and the Humber has 215,308 ha of open access land, more than any region except the North East.
• Three National Trails fall fully or partly with the region; the Pennine Way, the Yorkshire Wolds Way and the Cleveland Way. There are 548km of National Trail in Yorkshire and the Humber.
• 32% of Yorkshire and the Humber’s coast has no known access provision.
• 5% of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are in Yorkshire and the Humber, yet they received only 2% of the total NNR visits.
• 4 local authorities in the region have no Local Nature Reserves compared with a national average of 9.
• Between them, the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks had 18.5 million visitor days in 2007.

For interviews with Natural England’s experts, copies of the report and accompanying photographs, please contact the Natural England Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.

Regional contact Emma MacDonald 01132303533 or 07900608073 emma.macdonald@naturalengland.org.uk

We also have quality B-roll footage which features interviews with Helen Phillips and Tom Tew, Natural England's Chief Scientist, shots of wildlife, woodland and the Peak District.

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

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.