Nature Resources
This page contains links to a wide range of useful resources including local and national wildlife organisations, nature projects and public bodies that may be of use to environmental groups and citizens.
We welcome all feedback and suggestions.
- Local Groups, Networks & Projects
- Wildlife and Conservation Groups
- Statutory Protection of UK Wildlife
Local Groups, Networks & Projects
North York Moors National Park
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
Wildlife and Conservation groups
Statutory Protection of UK Wildlife
A range of laws and regulations exist to protect British wildlife and conserve nature. These are created through legislation and shaped and enforced through a range of statutory agencies. These are set out below together with the principal legislation.
UK Government
Secretary of State for Environment
Ministers
- Minister for Water & Flooding
- Under Secretary for Water & Flooding
- Under Secretary for Nature
- Under Secretary for Lords Minister
Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)
Ministry responsible for legislation which works with 35 Agencies and Public Bodies as follows:
Non-ministerial Depts
Forestry Commission
Water Services Regulatory Authority
Executive Agency
Animal & Plant Health Authority
Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
Rural Payments Agency
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Executive non-departmental Public Bodies
Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board
Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Consumer Council for Water
Environment Agency – responsible for “conservation and ecology”
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Advises Government. Forum through which the country nature conservation bodies discharge statutory responsibilities. Led by Joint Committee under independent Chair and independent members appointed by Sec of State.
Marine Management Organization
Natural England – “to help conserve, enhance & manage the natural environment”. 3.000 staff around England, HQ York, Chair Tony Juniper.
Office for Environmental Protection. Responsible for monitoring SSSI’s.
Statutory Protection
Ramsar Sites – wetland sites of international importance. Under Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed on 2 Feb 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under auspices of UNESCO. Treaty participants meet regularly. In the UK, JNCC is responsible for co-ordination & guidance of Ramsar sites.
SSSI Sites of Special Scientific Interest – These are formal conservation areas with a designation from Natural England describing an area that is of particular interest to science. We are very fortunate that there are 29 SSSI within our parish boundaries which include a mix of heather moor, upland river and woodland habitats.
For further information please visit Natural England