Conservation

	Click to enlarge The Peak District National Park

National Conservation

Who looks after UK Conservation?

National (UK) conservation involves statutory (government controlled) agencies and voluntary organisations (NGO’s- non governmental organisations). Click on these to find out more.

Statutory agencies

• English Nature
• Countryside Council for Wales
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Environment and Heritage Service – Northern Island
• Countryside Agency
• JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee)
• National Parks

NGO’s

• Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
• RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)
• The National Trust
• BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)
• Friends of the Earth
   

For a complete list of conservation organisations –
 visit the Friends of the earth website
 

What is the role of the UK Government?

Wildlife is protected by legislation, and in particular, the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. This act was the most important and it is constantly been updated. Its main aims are summarised by  Naturnet.

Since this act, there have been a large number of other acts mostly targeted at specific issues. These are listed on the  UK Legislation page of Naturnet
 

What conservation areas are there in the UK?

There are a wide range of conservation areas designed to protect and conserve wildlife and the most important are listed below:

• National Parks
• AONB - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• SAC - Special Areas of Conservation
• SSSI - Special Site of Scientific Interest
• NNR - National Nature Reserve
• LNR - Local Nature Reserve

What type of methods are used in conservation?

Conservation methods might include:

• Setting up ‘action plans’ for individual species – these are known as  BAPs (Biodiversity Action Plans)
• Establishing National Parks, nature reserves, and similar protected areas.
• Restricting urban and industrial development.
• Reclaiming derelict sites.
• Legally protecting species and habitats.
• Preventing the release of non-native species.
• Controlling pollution.
• Recycling and reusing.
• Only buying environmentally friendly products.
• Limit the exploitation of non-renewable resources.
• Restrict the trade in endangered species.
• Breeding programmes in Zoos
• Rare breeds centres.
• Sperm and seed banks.
• Education.
   

 
Final
thoughts:
 

 

David Attenborough said the following (‘Life on Earth’-Collins/BBC 1979) 

The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In out hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all living creatures with whom we share the earth.

Conservation is ultimately the responsibility of the individual – do you agree?

 

A poem by the Chinese poet (500 BC) Kuan Tzu:

If you are thinking a year ahead, sow seed,
If you are thinking 10 years ahead, plant a tree,
If you are thinking 100 years ahead, educate people

Do you agree with his point?