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12 October 2006 - New Government Agency to
Champion the Natural Environment
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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
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