Wildlife and Countryside

Introduction to Wildlife and Countryside

These pages provide information about Defra's work on the conservation of wildlife and landscape, and on countryside recreation. Our aims are improved enjoyment of an attractive and well managed countryside for all; and effective conservation of wildlife. These are in line with the principles of sustainable development which inform all of our work.

• Archived consultation documents

Latest news and current issues

24 May 2006 - Update published to biodiversity indicator C1

8 May 2006 - Consultation on Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2006 launched.

10 April 2006 - Local Sites: guidance on their identification, selection and management published.

4 April 2006 - The first World Migratory Bird Day [75KB] is announced.

19 January 2006 - New guidance on the management of byways and rights of way published.

8 December 2005 - Safeguarding Sea Life: the joint UK response to the Review of Marine Nature Conservation published

8 November 2005 - Add your comments to the Natural Resources Open Forum before it closes on Friday 18 November.

19 October 2005 - Action plan and code of practice on snares published.

17 October 2005 - The Statement of Needs for Defra's Evidence and Innovation Strategy (52 KB) as it relates to our strategic outcome 'More and better access to the natural environment for recreation, especially for those who find it difficult to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits which access to nature can bring'. This is relevant to Defra's consultation on our proposed Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2005-08 which was published on 14 October 2005 (see link below).

14 October 2005 - Consultation on Defra's proposed Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2005-08

27 September 2005 - Guidance for Registers of modifications, applications and declarations