DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref :
238/08) issued by The Government News Network on 21 July 2008
A wide-ranging
audit of England's natural resources - its wildlife, habitats
and ecosystems - was today launched by Environment Secretary
Hilary Benn.
The two year project will result in the most comprehensive
picture ever of our natural environment, the benefits it provides
to society, and how it is changing.
Using the expertise of people from a wide variety of
organisations, it will draw together all the information and
research currently collected, and seek to fill in some of the gaps.
The results will be used by Government to prioritise work so that
the natural environment is enhanced and damage to it, including
biodiversity loss, is effectively tackled.
Hilary Benn said:
"This project will give us a clearer picture of our natural
resources than ever before. It will show us just how much we
benefit from our natural environment.
"And in turn it will provide a springboard for further
action to protect and enhance our natural heritage"
Hilary Benn announced the audit at his first keynote speech on
the natural environment, at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes,
London today.
Mr Benn also used his speech to underline the positive impact of
the environment on people's health, well being and prosperity.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring that people were not
excluded from access to nature and stressed that where people had
problems with access "we must bring the country to the
city" by ensuring that people could enjoy urban green spaces.
He stressed that this could only be achieved through working
together with a wide range of partners including Natural England,
the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency.
Mr Benn also today confirmed that Natural England will from 2010
enhance the Entry Level Stewardship Scheme to cover upland areas.
Notes to Editors
1. Further details of the 2010 changes to Entry Level Stewardship
are available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/uplands/support.htm
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