A new and powerful government agency has been launched which has been created to champion the natural environment. Natural England has announced four major new campaigns which aim to inspire, motivate and engage people across England.
Natural England was established by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Its purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Amongst its responsibilities, it has, for the first time, responsibility for protecting and enhancing biodiversity and landscapes, as well as promoting greater access and recreation. Other responsibilities include the provision of incentives to farmers and land managers to help them manage their land in a more environmentally friendly way; and will also be a key regulator and the government’s independent watchdog.
The four campaigns are:
- Climate Change
- Health
- Sustainable Land Management
- Marine
The campaigns will be launched over the next two months with targets including the establishment of a network of marine protected areas by 2012 and championing the provision of accessible green space within five minutes walk of every home.
Natural England's headquarters are based in Sheffield and has been formed by bringing together English Nature, the landscape, access and recreation elements of the Countryside Agency and the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development Service. It has a budget of £500 million and employs 2500 people.
Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England commented:
“The creation of Natural England is a landmark moment for the natural environment. No other organisation in Europe matches the breadth of our legislative remit, and the scale of our challenge. By uniting responsibility for landscapes and biodiversity, Natural England will be working to build resilience into our natural systems in the face of climate change.”
Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England commented:
“Natural England is about four things: having a healthy natural environment, people’s enjoyment of the natural environment, sustainable use of our natural resources and a secure environmental future. We will be about the urban as well as rural environment and as much about tomorrow as we are about today.”
Natural England's website can be accessed by clicking the following link: Natural England
Details of Natural England’s four campaigns can be found by clicking the following link: Campaigns - Natural England
