Natural England

East Devon’s best sites for wildlife are improving at a record-breaking rate under Natural England’s conservation management.

At the end of March, 92 % of land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Mid & Eastern Devon was judged to be in a ‘favourable or recovering’ condition. This compares to a national figure of 82.7 % for the whole of England.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said "The prospects are looking good for England's most important wildlife sites. As a result of this year’s progress, more than 78,800 hectares [across England] of our most important habitats are now under favourable or recovering condition. Natural England could not have achieved this outcome without the hard work of many land managers and our other partners, and I congratulate them for that".

James Diamond, Mid & Eastern Devon Team Leader for Natural England said "We have a lot to celebrate in East Devon. We have some of the best wildlife sites in England and many of them are in wonderful condition. With spring well under way, people should take the opportunity to get out and enjoy these landscapes and discover the wildlife that flourishes in them. Exmouth Local Nature Reserve and the Axmouth to Lyme Regis National Nature Reserve are accessible to the public and provide a great opportunity for a family day out".

Case studies

Some of the sites in Mid & Eastern Devon that have been brought into recovery this year and the habitats and species that have benefited are:

• Quarry Fields Farm SSSI: hay meadows nestled in the Blackdown Hills, rich in wild flowers, including green-winged orchids. The site is managed traditionally by a local farmer.
• Tidcombe Lane Fen SSSI: an urban oasis on the edge of Tiverton. The wetland is managed by local residents and traditional Devon cattle. The site supports giant tussock-sedges and otters.
• East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SSSI: working with the RSPB and private landowners Natural England has brought over 400 hectares of lowland heathland into recovering condition. Management such as cutting and grazing will create perfect conditions for reptiles and rare birds such nightjars. The agreed management will also preserve and enhance archeological features such as Woodbury Castle.
• Exe Estuary SSSI: alongside the Environment Agency and RSPB, Natural England has established improved wetland management at Exminster Marshes which will benefit birds such as wintering geese and black-tailed godwits and breeding lapwing and redshank.
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Notes for editors:

For further information, photos or interviews, contact Natural England’s South West Press Officer: Joanna Busk on joanna.busk@naturalengland.org.uk, 07900 608440.

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.

SSSIs are a key indicators of national progress in securing a healthy natural environment . For further information about SSSIs, please visit SSSI index

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives Natural England powers to ensure better protection and management of SSSIs and safeguard their existence into the future. The Government's Public Service Agreement target is for 95% of SSSI land to be in 'favourable' or 'recovering' condition by 2010.

In the period between 1st April 2007 and 31st March 2008, there was a net increase of 78,800ha of SSSI land in target condition, which took the proportion of SSSIs area in target condition from 75.4% to 82.7%. This significantly exceeds annual increases previously achieved (the target was established in 2000) – these have typically been in the region of ca. 50,000ha per year. (The first national assessment of SSSI condition was in March 2003 - that is the baseline. At that point, 57% of SSSI were in target condition).

Natural England staff in Area Teams forge and develop partnerships to bring SSSIs into recovery, working with the ca. 26,000 land managers of SSSIs and our delivery partners such as the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission. Our role is to ensure SSSIs are properly protected and where appropriate enhanced by providing advice on their status and management needs, including offering land management incentives such as through the Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Scheme (HLS).

This year, through encouraging new HLS applications from land managers that could offer the greatest benefits we have agreed improved management on over 38,000ha of SSSI land with land managers. By maximising the use of HLS (which draws on EU-co-funding) as opposed to 100% exchequer funded schemes, Natural England also delivered savings to the UK tax-payer.

Not all SSSIs are accessible. Some of the best ones can be found on Spotlight National Nature Reserves. For information please see http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/