This article focuses on information specific to United Kingdom. Please see our Biodiversity page for a topic overview.
National nature reserves in England
National nature reserves in England are designated by Natural England as key places for wildlife and natural features in England. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations. NNRs are managed on behalf of the nation, many by Natural England themselves, but also by non-governmental organisations, including the members of The Wildlife Trusts partnership, the National Trust, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
There are over 224 NNRs in England covering over 800 square kilometres (310 sq mi) and practically every kind of landscape. Often they contain rare species or nationally important species of plants, insects, butterflies, birds, mammals etc. W
Environment Agency, information from GOV.UK. Non-departmental public body, sponsored by the United Kingdom government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), with responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment in England W
Natural England, information from GOV.UK. Non-departmental public body of the UK government responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater and marine environments, geology and soils, are protected and improved. It also has a responsibility to help people enjoy, understand and access the natural environment. W
Nature’s Calendar, Woodland Trust site to help see the effects of global warming on Nature’s Calendar
Maps
Magic, geographic information about the natural environment from across government.
Research
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology W, United Kingdom's Centre of Excellence for integrated research in hydrology, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and their interaction with the atmosphere.
Animal Aid, animal rights organisation. The group campaigns peacefully against all forms of animal abuse - including the consumption of animals as food and their use for medical research - and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle. It also investigates and exposes animal cruelty. W
Buglife, British based nature conservation charity headquartered in Cambridgeshire, England with additional offices in Scotland and South West England. Its aim is to prevent invertebrate extinctions and to maintain sustainable populations of invertebrates in the United Kingdom. W
Wildlife and Countryside Link brings together voluntary organisations in the UK to protect and enhance wildlife, landscape and the marine environment and to further the quiet enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside. Link currently has 40 members who collectively have the help of 170,000 volunteers, employ 9,600 full-time staff, and claim the support of over 8 million people in the UK. W
The Wildlife Trusts, organisation made up of 47 local Wildlife Trusts in the United Kingdom plus the Isle of Man and Alderney, who, between them, look after around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares. As of 2011 they have a combined membership of over 800,000 members. W