Groundbreaking report exposes state of England's environment

- Experts warn, we MUST change our approach to conservation

A report that pulls together all the evidence on the state of England's natural environment has been published for the first time today (Monday 19th May), revealing an urgent need to address the way we approach conservation in this country.

Natural England (the Government advisory body) is warning that England is 'locked in to 50 years of climate change' which has already had an irreversible effect on some areas of countryside and wildlife.

The number of farmland birds has been cut by half since the 1970s and seven species of arable plants have become extinct.

The State of the Natural Environment report highlights the stress on both land and coastal areas from climate change, pollution and the modern pressures of development and concludes that if we don't act now, some of our most precious wildlife will be lost forever.

Key findings include:

• A 50% decline in native woodland butterflies due to poor woodland management.

• Major drops in populations of breeding wading birds on unprotected lowland wetland grasslands, most notably the Snipe population which is down by 90% in some regions.

• Only 3% of grasslands remain rich in native plants.

• A 25% loss of saltmarsh in the South East of England.

• Our natural environment is far less rich than 50 years ago and under significant threat.

The findings have led Natural England to publish a Manifesto outlining what needs to be done to set us on a greener path. Proposals include;

- Ensuring that future planning and transport proposals include contributions to the conversation and enhancement of the natural environment (e.g. road building, airport expansions, water extraction etc.)
- Publishing a map of suitable locations of onshore wind energy developments.
- Transforming Natural Nature Reserves to reconnect the public with nature.
- Natural England will lead by example by pledging to reduce its own carbon footprint by 50% by the end of 2010.

Encouragingly, the report does show that better management of our natural environment has already made a big difference. The long-term decline in many farmland birds is slowing thanks to more environmentally-friendly farming, and species such as the Red Kite are re-colonising their former habitat after successful reintroduction. Nightjars and Woodlarks are also increasing thanks to better management of our heathland.




However, the report concludes that more needs to be done.

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