England’s natural environment is unique. Our geology, soils, landscapes and their biodiversity along with our marine and coastal ecosystems are a rich inheritance. There are a number of statutory designations protecting England’s terrestrial natural environment under both national and international law; and by way of government policy.

Nationally-designated sites comprise:

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
• Local sites, Nature Reserves
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Internationally-designated sites cover those with European designations including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs); and those with international designations, such as Ramsar sites of wetland importance.

Other designated sites include registered common land and registered town or village greens: these are kept in registers kept by local authorities under the Commons Act 2006.

Further information on protected sites in England and their locations can be found on the Natural England website.

• protection of our marine biodiversity

Latest news

• 29 November 2011: The Government has announced that it will undertake a review of the implementation of the EU Habitats and Wild Birds Directives in England.
  
• 25 July 2011: Consultation on the registration of new town or village greens
• 07 June 2011 – Guidance (PDF) on the operation of Special Nature Conservation Orders made under regulations 25 – 29 of, and schedule 1 to the conservation of habitats and species regulations 2010.

Key facts and figures

In England, there are:

• Nearly 400,000 ha of common land
• Over 4,500 town or village greens
• over 4000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), covering around 7.5% of the country
• 224 National Nature Reserves
• Over 1,400 Local Nature Reserves, covering over 37,000 hectares
• Over 40,000 Local Sites.

As a whole, the UK has:

• 613 designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) covering over 2,631,415 hectares
• 262 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) covering over 2,389,000 hectares
• 170 Ramsar sites, including 24 sites in the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies

Note that site designations may overlap.  Nevertheless, these protected areas cover approximately 10% of the UK land area.