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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Hilary Benn announces review of England’s wildlife and ecological network
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn yesterday announced a review of England’s wildlife and ecological network, including its links with our National Parks and its ability to adapt to climate change and other pressures
To report by June 2010, the review will explore if our collection of sites represents a coherent and robust ecological network for England, capable of responding to the challenges of climate change and other pressures.
Announcing the review, Hilary Benn said:
“It’s 60 years since the National Park and Access to the Countryside Act committed us to creating and protecting key areas of special importance, and we now have 15 National Parks.
“With the effects of climate change and other pressures on our land, now is the time to see how we can enhance ecological England further. Re-wilding, and linking together areas to make ecological corridors and a connected network, could have real benefits in allowing nature to thrive.”
The review team – to be announced shortly – will also look to see what benefits could be gained by connecting sites within designated areas and outside them through re-wilding initiatives. The team will be asked to take account of ecological, economic and social costs and benefits of such a programme and make costed and prioritised recommendations.
This work will complement the National Ecosystem Assessment which is currently being prepared. It will take account of the continuing importance for ecosystems of the wider countryside and urban areas and will draw on the results of the Foresight project on Land Use which is due to report in January 2010.
Across England large areas of land are protected under environmental designations. Both within these designations and outside them the Government and others will continue to invest in protecting, enhancing and restoring important wildlife habitats.
Notes to editors
- Further details on the appointed chair and panel members will be announced in due course.
- Biodiversity policy is a devolved matter. The review will only cover England’s wildlife network.
- Natural England was set up by the Government to be its adviser on nature conservation. Natural England is responsible for advising on and/or setting up the national designated areas as well as delivering nature conservation initiatives in the wider countryside under the Biodiversity Action Plan.
- There are currently eight national parks in England, covering approximately eight per cent of England.
- On 31 March 2009 Hilary Benn announced the decision to create the South Downs National Park covering 627 square miles.
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