Further Resources
The following websites provide more information on wildlife and nature. Please note that the list is not intended to be exhaustive.
Regulators, Statutory Agencies and Policy Making Bodies
Gov.UK: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
DEFRA is the UK Government department tasked with the environment, rural development, the countryside, wildlife, animal welfare and sustainable development.
Government Agency responsible for protecting the environment in England.
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
The statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation.
Agency responsible for the administration of nature conservation in England.
Agency responsible for protecting the environment and the administration of nature conservation in Wales.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
The Government Agency that cares and protects the natural heritage of Scotland.
Environment and Heritage Service: Department of Environment Northern Ireland (EHS)
Protects and conserves Northern Ireland's natural environment.
The Government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands.
Devolved Government for Wales. It has a legal duty to encourage biodiversity and to promote ways of conserving the Welsh environment.
Local authorities have statutory powers in relation to nature conservation. For example, they have powers to set up and manage local nature reserves. This links provides a list of county councils, borough and district councils and unitary authorities throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Marine Management Organisation
New executive non-departmental public body established by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Responsibilities include implementing new marine planning and licensing systems, and making byelaws for Marine Conservation Zones.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) owns large tracts of land in the UK which contain a wide variety of biodiversity and local habitat types.
Wildlife Crime Enforcement Bodies
The police are responsible for the policing and enforcement of all wildlife crimes in the UK. The link above provides website links to the main force contacts on wildlife crime.
The HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for policing and enforcing laws on the illegal importation or exportation of endangered species under CITES.
United Kingdom National Wildlife Crime Unit (uk|NWCU)
Supports law enforcement agencies throughout the UK on combating wildlife crime.
The Environment Agency in its enforcement duties on environmental crimes tackles wildlife offences such as fish poaching, illegal fish re-stocking and damage to wildlife habitats.
Enforces on tree felling and illegal timber importation.
The Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW)
Acts as the multi-agency umbrella body for the key agencies involved in wildlife law enforcement in the UK. It provides opportunities for the police and other statutory enforcement bodies to work alongside with NGOs on wildlife crime enforcement.
Trusts/Charities
Leading charity that cares for and protect heritage sites in the UK.
National charity that protects and preserves woodlands in the UK.
Leading trust dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s wildlife and habitats
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Protects wetlands in the UK.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Promotes conservation of birds and other wildlife in the UK
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
A charity set up to prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of animals.
Leading charity on global wildlife conservation and preservation of animal habitats.
The Herpetological Conservation Trust
Leading charity on the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the UK.
UK charity dedicated to the protection and conservation of butterflies, moths and their habitats.
Plantlife International is a charity dedicated exclusively to conserving all forms of plant life in their natural habitats, in the UK, Europe and across the world.
Encourages the wise use of wild plants in large-scale habitat creation and restoration projects.
The People's Trust for Endangered Species
Conservation charity set up in 1977 to protect and conserve UK mammals.
UK Charity dedicated to marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
Other Organisations and Initiatives
The Association campaigns for more people to take up walking as part of a healthy lifestyle. Also focuses on improving conditions for people who walk in England, Scotland and Wales.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Campaigns for the sustainable future of the English countryside
Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW)
It campaigns for the preservation of the distinctiveness of Welsh landscapes and the identity of its rural communities.
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
Leading independent and dedicated provider of environmental and conservation advice and consultancy to farmers and crofters.
A partnership initiative to tackle wildife crime. Run by the Metropolitan Police together with the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Active Conservation Awareness Programme (ACAP), the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF).
A BBC online learning campaign tool that provides information on how to create and care for nature friendly green places.
Biodiversity Action Plans
The UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework
Sets a framework for UK action in pursuit of the targets in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (the 'Aichi' targets, agreed in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010).
Biodiversity Strategies for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Biodiversity strategies for the four countries in the United Kingdom.
