Press releases 2012
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Great white egret nests in Britain for the first time
(22 May 2012)Natural England confirmed today that the great white egret - a species of heron - has nested for the first time in Britain.
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HLS agreement recognises the vital role of commoners to the future of Dartmoor
(17 May 2012) The much-loved natural landscape of The Forest of Dartmoor will benefit from a landmark conservation and farming agreement officially launched by Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, at the Devon Show today (Thursday 17 May).
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Consultation begins on managing National Trails more flexibly
(11 May 2012) Natural England will today write to over 160 outdoor organisations and local authorities to ask their views about proposals to alter the ways National Trails in England are looked after in the future.
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Public consultation opens on improved coastal access for Durham, Hartlepool and Sunderland
(10 May 2012) Proposals for an improved coastal access route between South Bents in Sunderland and Seaton Carew in Hartlepool have been published for consultation today, marking the first stages of the England Coast Path in the north east of England set in motion by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
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Public consultation opens today on improved coastal access for Cumbria
(10 May 2012) Proposals for an improved coastal access route between Allonby and Whitehaven have been published for consultation today, marking the first stages of the England Coast Path in the north west of England set in motion by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
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Down to earth advice for Cornwall's farmers at Helston event
(9 May 2012) Farmers in Cornwall are being invited to a free event hosted by the Soils for Profit Project to find out about new techniques and equipment that can help to improve the management of their soils, manures and nutrients.
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Farm cart shed is ‘barn again’ as a new classroom
(9 May 2012) A County Durham farmer is leading the field in providing young people with the chance to learn about life down on the farm.
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Invitation to systems suppliers to attend event
(9 May 2012)Issued on behalf of RPA, DEFRA and the Future Options Programme
Defra is seeking to explore opportunities for delivering Common Agricultural Policy systems beyond 2013.
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New study shows Herefordshire orchards yield more than just fruit
(4 May 2012) Natural England has today published the results of a ground-breaking study of six Herefordshire orchards.
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Fungus leaves Reserve in the pink
(3 May 2012) The rare white variant of the scarlet elfcup fungus found on Buckholt Wood is only the second record this century.
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(3 May 2012) Putting green infrastructure such as parks, gardens and trees at the heart of neighbourhoods can bring significant economic benefits, according to a Natural England study.
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Off-roaders shatter the peace of North Walney
(1 May 2012) The landscape and wildlife of Natural England’s North Walney National Nature Reserve (NNR) make it a great spot for getting away from it all – the waves lapping against the shingle and the “pee-wit” cry of the lapwing are the perfect antidote to life’s everyday cares. Sadly the peace has been shattered recently by motorcycles and four-wheel drive vehicles tearing up the dunes and beach. Natural England is working with the local Neighbourhood Police Team to help keep the NNR special for wildlife and for people.
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Enjoy, respect, protect the countryside with the refreshed Countryside Code
(5 April 2012) The Easter holiday is a great opportunity to get out and explore the countryside – spring is in full swing and our woods, meadows, heaths and moors are flushed with green. A refreshed Countryside Code is being launched to help people get even more from their visits
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Fresh safety warning issued over pesticide storage
(30 April 2012) A fresh warning has been issued to store pesticides safely, after a West Norfolk pest controller was prosecuted for keeping them in an unlocked garden shed.
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Extinct bumblebee to return to Britain
(26 April 2012) The return of a bumblebee species extinct in the UK for nearly a quarter of a century has moved a big step forward.
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Last call for farmers to tap into Catchment Sensitive Farming's 2012 Capital Grants Scheme
(23 April 2012)Closing date for applications is 30th April 2012
Farmers and growers are being reminded that applications for funding from this year’s Catchment Sensitive Farming Capital Grants Scheme should be returned by 30th April 2012.
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Young farmers will be blazing a trail for Great British Food for London 2012
(23 April 2012) With London 2012 fast approaching, The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs is teaming up with Natural England to run a series of cook-athons during the Olympic Torch Relay that will help celebrate the best of the country’s locally grown and sustainable produce.
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Isles of Scilly farmers are invited to ‘Soils for Profit’ event
(5 April 2012) A ‘Farming More Precisely’ event is being held for farmers on the Isles of Scilly on 26th April 2012 at the Mermaid Inn on St Mary’s, hosted by the Soils for Profit Project.
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Is the Natterjack toad about to croak?
(5 April 2012) One of Europe’s loudest amphibians faces uncertain breeding in Britain’s dry weather
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Farmers urged not to miss out on Catchment Sensitive Farming funding opportunity
(4 April 2012) From the River Aln in Northumberland to the River Exe in Devon and the Eden to the Medway, farmers in 75 catchment areas of England can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 from the Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Capital Grants Scheme.
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Working together to help protect Unity Bog
(28 March 2012)Unity Bog, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in north Cumbria, has had a makeover this spring to help bring the area back to life as a haven for wetland-loving wildlife.
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Diamond Jubilee beacons guidance for land managers
(26 March 2012) Natural England is asking agri-environment agreement holders and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) managers to get in touch if they are planning to host a Diamond Jubilee beacon on their land.
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'Butterfly corridors' help Cornwall’s rare butterflies take wing
(13 March 2012) A conservation project underway in South West England aimed at securing the future of one of Britain’s rarest butterflies is proving to be a success, thanks to the creation of special ‘butterfly corridors’ and the revival of traditional woodland management.
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Funding provides a taste of farm life
(13 March 2012) Farmers in England are being given the chance to teach children about life down on the farm by applying for funds to install facilities for school and youth groups.
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Final call for comments on National Park expansion proposals
In September 2011, Natural England’s Board confirmed that it would be recommending extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park boundaries ...
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Farming more precisely events for South West farmers
(7 March 2012) A series of ‘Farming More Precisely’ farmer events are being held across the South West this spring as part of the Soils for Profit Project.
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Holy Island landmark to get new lease of life
(7 March 2012)Makeover of Lindisfarne’s Lookout Tower will create a ‘room with a view’
Work is underway that will give a new lease of life to the old Coastguard Lookout Tower on Holy Island in Northumberland and create a stunning new ‘room with a view’ for Lindisfarne.
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Natural England helping farmers deal with the drought
(6 March 2012) To help farmers and growers cope with the drought conditions that, despite recent rainfall, continues to affect some parts of the country, Natural England is ensuring that the appropriate Environmental Stewardship (ES) derogations are made available as quickly as possible to farmers who are in agri-environment schemes.
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Natural England and Conservation Grade to collaborate in farmland biodiversity drive
(6 March 2012) A landmark agreement has been reached between Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment, and the Conservation Grade Nature Friendly Farming scheme.
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Dave Webster takes the lead at Natural England
(1 March 2012) Dave Webster has today (1 March 2012) taken on the role of Interim Chief Executive at Natural England, the government’s wildlife adviser.
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Farmer guilty of damaging one of Derbyshire’s finest conservation sites
(2 March 2012) A Derbyshire farmer has been ordered to pay financial penalties totalling £18,710 and to carry out restoration work at his own expense, after admitting to carrying out un-authorised activities in an area legally protected for its rare geological features and upland habitats, within the Peak District National Park.
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Farmer fined for series of bird trapping offences
(27 February 2012) In the first case of its type in England, a Market Harborough farmer was fined £2500 (plus costs) on Monday 27 February, at Leicester Magistrates Court, after being found guilty of trapping birds on his land without an appropriate licence.
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Farmers invited to make a date to put in a kissing gate this Leap Day
(29 February 2012) Today (29th February), when tradition gives the green light for role reversal in proposals of marriage, Natural England is suggesting that farmers in England could help even more people fall in love with the countryside by installing a ‘kissing gate’ on their land this Leap Year.
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Cheshire youngsters give a tree-mendous helping hand to local farmer
(20 February 2012) Two groups of green-fingered youngsters from Kingsgrove High School in Crewe and from the 1st Davenham Scout Group have been helping farmer Andy Green turn Bostock Hall Farm, near Crewe into a haven for wildlife.
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First Dairy Herd Awards since Foot & Mouth are held in Cumbria
(14 February 2012) Dairy producers in Cumbria recently celebrated the county’s growing reputation as one of the UK’s foremost dairy centres at a newly revived industry event, held with the support of Natural England.
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(13 February 2012) Six hectares of former peat workings are having a wildlife-friendly makeover to make a new pad for bitterns at Natural England’s Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve.
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Miniscule mollusc a Staffordshire first
(13 February 2012) Rare micro-snail discovered on Natural England’s Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve
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Cheshire farming couple are top of the class
(13 February 2012) Youngsters in North West England are discovering more about what goes on behind the scenes at a modern farm, thanks to the efforts of an award-winning Cheshire farming family and the help of Natural England.
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First record of rare slime mould at Castle Eden Dene NNR
(31 January 2012) One of Britain’s rarest ‘slime moulds’ has been identified at the Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Co Durham and the discovery is thought to be a first for North East England.
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National Park expansion proposals – the next steps
(30 January 2012) In September 2011, Natural England’s Board confirmed that it would be recommending extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park boundaries: the relevant Variation Orders to extend the Park boundaries, maps and boundary descriptions will shortly be presented to the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs for her consideration.
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Environmental Stewardship information package
(25 January 2012)As the current Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) draws closer to its December 2013 end date, Natural England has developed a comprehensive package of information for farmers and agents on Environmental Stewardship (ES).
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It's a good newts story for a wandering amphibian
(9 January 2012) A lost amphibian that turned up in a Tyneside office building struck it lucky when it wandered into the offices of Natural England, the Government’s adviser on nature conservation.
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Visit a National Nature Reserve this winter to see the 'first' Christmas trees
(6 January 2012) As artificial Christmas fir trees are taken down in homes across the country after Twelfth Night, it’s a good time of year to spare a thought for our forgotten ‘first’ Christmas tree.
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Natural England and Conservation Grade to collaborate in farmland biodiversity drive
(6 March 2012) A landmark agreement has been reached between Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment, and the Conservation Grade Nature Friendly Farming scheme.
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Farming more precisely events for South West farmers
(7 March 2012) A series of ‘Farming More Precisely’ farmer events are being held across the South West this spring as part of the Soils for Profit Project.
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Extinct bumblebee to return to Britain
(26 April 2012) The return of a bumblebee species extinct in the UK for nearly a quarter of a century has moved a big step forward.
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Public consultation opens on improved coastal access for Durham, Hartlepool and Sunderland
(10 May 2012) Proposals for an improved coastal access route between South Bents in Sunderland and Seaton Carew in Hartlepool have been published for consultation today, marking the first stages of the England Coast Path in the north east of England set in motion by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
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Public consultation opens today on improved coastal access for Cumbria
(10 May 2012) Proposals for an improved coastal access route between Allonby and Whitehaven have been published for consultation today, marking the first stages of the England Coast Path in the north west of England set in motion by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
