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 in the region, Natural England’s East of England Director, Shaun Thomas said: “The East of England needs a new approach if we are to effectively tackle the modern pressures on the natural environment created by climate change and society’s demands.

“This region, more than any other, is at the forefront of the effects of climate change due to potent cocktail of low rainfall, major growth and increased risk of flooding from rivers and the sea.

“We need to make sure we live within our environmental limits. Our ambitious plans for growth must be achieved in ways that enhance the natural environment”, Shaun continued.

Key habitats are still deteriorating: saltmarsh is being lost due to sea level rise, squeezed between sea defences; only 3% of our grasslands remain rich in native plants; and there has been a 50% decline in woodland butterflies.

“Our region has many fantastic landscapes and internationally important wildlife, especially in its coastal and wetland reserves. We need to find ways to manage the environment so that future generations enjoy this rich, natural inheritance”, Shaun added.

Action can make a difference:

• 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, which can be found in Bedfordshire, are recolonising their former range after successful reintroduction;
• Heathland birds such as nightjars and woodlarks have increased thanks to better management of our heathland;
• A 10 year stewardship agreement is restoring heathland to improve links with neighbouring heathland to form one of largest areas of heathland in Norfolk outside of the Brecks;
• The Alde-Blyth Project in Suffolk is bringing together numerous environmental partners to create a larger connected reserve with larger grazing blocks that can be managed less intensively to restore another key habitat of heathland; and
• The Great Fen Project in Cambridgeshire, aims to connect two of Natural England’s existing reserves south of Peterborough to create essential benefits for wildlife and also address the increased need for flood protection for 70,000 ha of farmland, local homes and businesses. It will also create opportunities for access and recreation.

Natural England’s report emphasises the role of a healthy environment as part of our natural health service but 80% of the population live in our towns and cities. They are often separated from the natural world and deprived of the benefits that it brings by poor design and lack of investment in urban green spaces. The report highlights the need to help people reconnect to the natural environment by increasing the presence of green space and encouraging everyone to take more exercise outdoors.

As well as the 37 Walking the Way to Health Initiatives in the region, which are encouraging people to walk outdoors to improve their mental and physical health, Natural England is working with developers to ensure high quality green spaces. This approach, which should be part of all planned growth in the region, is already seeing results in a new development on a brownfield site at The Hamptons, Peterborough which is being used as exemplar best practice by the Communities and Local Government Department.

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.

Natural England’s Chief executive, Dr Helen Phillips, warned: “Our natural environment is increasingly under threat, both within and especially away from protected areas. 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.”

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Notes to editors

1. Key national 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, 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.

2. 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.

3. For information on:

Walking the Way to Health
Environmental Stewardship
SSSIs
Great Fen Project

4. For interviews with Natural England’s regional and national experts, copies of the report, manifesto and accompanying photographs and broadcast quality footage of The Hamptons in Peterborough, please contact:

Linzee Kottman 01223 533431 or mobile 07824 475359
Heather McMorland 01733 455080 or mobile 07919 228388
Andrew Smith 01223 533474 or mobile 07920 138194
For any out of hours media enquiries: 07970 098005

5. 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. See www.naturalengland.org.uk for further information.