National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are sites that have been declared by English Nature or its predecessors under Section 19 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 or Section 35 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They are either owned or controlled by English Nature or held by approved bodies such as the wildlife trusts.

Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) in England are declared by the Secretary of State for the Environment. At present there is one MNR, Lundy in Devon, which is included in the figures below.

As at 31 March 2006 there were 218 NNRs covering 91,343 hectares.

NNR statistics for 2005/2006 PDF Size 18k

All LNRs are owned or controlled by local authorities and some, but not all, are SSSIs. Local authorities consult English Nature on all new proposals for LNRs in England.

By 31st July 2006 there were over 1,280 LNRs.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest are notified by English Nature because of their plants, animals, or geological or physiographical features. Most SSSIs are privately owned or managed. About 40% are owned or managed by public bodies such as the Forestry Commission, Ministry of Defence and The Crown Estate, or by the voluntary conservation movement.

As at 31 March 2006 there were 4,120 SSSIs covering 1,074,215 hectares.

SSSIs cover approximately 7.5% of England's total area. English Nature works closely with about 33,137 owners and occupiers on these sites.

Ramsar sites
The UK Government signed the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar convention) in 1973. Under the Convention the Government is committed to designate 'Wetlands of International Importance' (Ramsar sites) and to use the wetlands within its territory wisely.

Ramsar Sites PDF Size 71k

The Government is bound by the European Communities Council Directive of April 1979 on the Conservation of Wild Birds. Under this Directive the Government has to classify (designate) Special Protection Areas to conserve the habitat of certain rare or vulnerable birds (listed under the Directive) and regularly occurring migratory birds. It has to avoid any significant pollution or disturbance to or deterioration of these sites.

Special Protection Areas PDF Size 125k

All designated SPAs and Ramsar sites are Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Some sites qualify for both Ramsar site and SPA designations. English Nature's particular involvement is the identification of these sites and carrying out consultations on behalf of Government on the proposed designations with owners, occupiers, local and competent authorities, and other interested parties.

A list of 123 sites in England were proposed to Government by English Nature and consulted on in March 1995, a further 25 were consulted on by November 1997 and 82 in August 2000. 220 of these have subsequently been submitted to the European Commission as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

Special Areas of Conservation PDF Size 42k