Natural England’s purpose is defined in legislation: ‘To ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development’ (Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006). Our role is to support the government’s wider strategic policies and fulfil the aims and objectives set for us by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

See Natural England's Corporate Plan 2012–2015 and Corporate Plan Update 2013-2015.

2. Does Natural England cover all of the UK?

Natural England covers England only. For further information about Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or the UK, please refer to:

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and international nature conservation. It works to deliver the UK and international responsibilities of these agencies.

3. I am very interested in working for Natural England. How can I find out about current job vacancies?

Visit our Jobs page.

4. I have a real interest in nature conservation. Do you look for volunteers?

Yes. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and offering your time and skills to benefit local nature conservation, see How to register as a volunteer.

5. I would like a copy of a Natural England publication. How do I do this?

We have a publications catalogue which contains all of Natural England's publications.

6. How can I view press releases issued by Natural England?

Visit our News/ Press Releases page.

7. Are there any grants available from Natural England?

Yes, see Find a grant.

Access to the Countryside

8. How can I find out about places to enjoy near to where I live?

The natural environment offers many places for people to enjoy, whether for local short trips close to home, or for visits to the inspirational landscapes of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We work in partnership with many organisations to provide and manage these places. See Places to enjoy.

9. What is open access land and is there any in my area?

Open access (also known as the ‘right to roam’) land is mapped access land that you can walk across without having to keep to the footpaths. You can locate and view maps in Open Access land.

10. Where can I find information about Rights of Way?

See Rights of Way.

It is the highway authority (county council or unitary authority) who are responsible for maintaining and protecting public rights of way. Any questions on where you can walk or ride, about maintenance or obstructions, or whether a right exists should be addressed to a rights of way officer. If you do not know how to contact your highway authority see Find your local council.

11. I know there are rules that I have to adhere to when visiting the countryside. How do I find out what these are?

The Countryside Code, which applies in England and Wales, makes it clear what the responsibilities are for both the public and the people who manage the land.

The Code applies to all parts of the countryside. Most of it is just good commonsense, designed to help us all respect, protect and enjoy our countryside.

12. Is there a mapping tool available that will give me more information about sites in England such as National Nature Reserve's or Sites of Special Scientific Interest?

Yes. Nature on the Map is our online mapping application. It`s straightforward to use and provides information on England's National and Local Nature Reserves, areas under agri-environment schemes, protected sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and Biodiversity Action Plan habitats.

Information for Farmers / Landowners

13. What is Environmental Stewardship?

Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme that provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England to deliver effective environmental management on your land.

14. How does Environmental Stewardship work?

There are various elements to Environmental Stewardship:

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) provides a straightforward approach to supporting the good stewardship of the countryside. This is done through simple and effective land management that goes beyond the Single Payment Scheme requirement to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental condition.
Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) is the organic strand of ELS. It is geared to organic and organic/conventional mixed farming systems and is open to all farmers not receiving Organic Farming Scheme aid.
Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (Uplands ELS) was launched in February 2010 to support hill farmers with payments for environmental management. This strand of Environmental Stewardship succeeds the Hill Farm Allowance. It is open to all farmers with land in Severely Disadvantaged Areas, regardless of the size of the holding.
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) involves more complex types of management and agreements are tailored to local circumstances. HLS applications will be assessed against specific local targets and agreements will be offered where they meet these targets and represent good value for money.

15. Who do I contact about Environmental Stewardship schemes?

See Environmental Stewardship contacts.

Wildlife (including Wildlife Licensing)

16. What should I do if I think a crime is taking place?

You should always contact the police if you think a crime is taking place. You need to speak to their wildlife crime officer. The more information you have about the incident the better. See Partnership for Action against Wildlife crime (PAW).

Alternatively you can report it online on the RSPB website.

17. The Government has announced that it will be piloting its Badger Control policy in two areas in 2012. What does this mean for Natural England?

Natural England is the licensing authority in England for licences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

Natural England's first task is to determine the two applications from areas participating in the pilot. Two areas will be selected by Defra from a short-list submitted by the farming industry and invited to submit an application for a licence to Natural England. Further licences to cull badgers will not be issued until the pilot phase is complete.

18. I'm a member of the public concerned about development works being undertaken on a site upon which it is known or believed that European protected species are present. What can I do to make sure they are operating legally?

Natural England can check to see if they have a licence. If you can supply details such as the name of the site & its location we can check our records and confirm whether or not a licence has been issued, please be aware that Natural England cannot give out personal details such as names and addresses of licensees. Please contact the Wildlife Licensing Unit for further advice on 0845 6014523 or email: wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk.

Licence issued
If a licence has been issued you can write requesting a copy of the licence or other papers associated with the application under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, note that personal details of licensees (names, addresses etc) cannot be released. If you have serious concerns about the site we can arrange for a site visit to be made, but if you consider it to be extremely urgent, you could contact the local police Wildlife Crime Officer and ask that they attend the site and check the details of the licence.

No licence
If no licence has been issued, then you should contact the police and request that they send a Wildlife Crime Officer (if available) to attend the site and to investigate your concerns.

19. I am planning a development in an area or building which might have bats. I know that they are protected, what should I do?

If bats are present you are likely to need a licence under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and to carry out mitigation to ensure that the bats retain their required habitat. Initially you will need to arrange a survey for bats with a competent consultant. The results of this survey should be made available to the local planning authority to aid them in making a decision on the planning application. Following discussion with your consultant you in should apply for a licence from Natural England if required before you can start work. For further advice you can contact the Wildlife Licensing Unit on 0845 6014523 or email: wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk. Guidance and an application form can be downloaded by using the link below.

Download WML-A13 Bats and development application form (in 3 parts all must be completed)
Download WML-G12 Guidance note: (928kb)
Download Bat mitigation guidelines

20. What can I do if badgers are digging up my garden or burrowing beneath a building?

Badgers and their setts are fully protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as amended). Under this Act, Natural England can issue licences to interfere with badger setts or rarely to kill or take badgers for the “purpose of preventing serious damage to land, crops, poultry of any other form of property" provided that it can be demonstrated that there are no practical alternatives that do not require a licence and that the proposed action is likely to alleviate the problem. Where damage is not serious enough to warrant a licence, such as to flower borders or lawns, preventative measures will normally be advised, licences are generally not issued in these circumstances. However, where there is a sett in a garden that is causing, or is likely to cause, serious damage licences can be issued to enable interference with the sett(s) to repair or prevent damage. An application form can be downloaded using the link below, you can contact the Wildlife Licensing Unit on 0845 6014523 or email: wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk; for further advice please state your county or case number if your query relates to an existing case. When your application has been received a Natural England Wildlife Adviser will contact you and may arrange with you to undertake a site visit.

Download TIN004 Badger advice to householders
Download TIN005 Problems with badgers in rural areas
Download TIN027 Badger problems: Use of electric fencing
Download TIN025 Using one-way gates on badger sett entrances (requires licence)
Download WML-A01 Badger licence application form in relation to damage: (279kb)

21. There is a dead badger in the road outside our house. Who will remove it?

Dead animals found by the roadside are normally the result of road traffic accidents. If you do not wish to remove or dispose of the carcass yourself, your local Council (non-trunk roads) or the Highways Agency Tel: 08457 50 40 30 (trunk roads such as main 'A' roads and motorways) may be able to offer assistance.

Neither Natural England nor any other organisation routinely collects badger carcases, even if TB is suspected, with one exception: Natural England may undertake to collect a carcase if there is strong evidence to suggest that the animal has been poisoned by pesticides; if you suspect this to be the case you should telephone the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme on 0800 321600.

If you have any reason to believe that the badger was deliberately killed then the matter should be reported to the Wildlife Crime Officer at your local police station.

22. Foxes etc are scavenging from dustbins and making a mess – what can I do about it?

Foxes can be a nuisance, especially in urban areas; advice on deterring foxes can be obtained in our leaflet which can be downloaded using the link below. Foxes only have limited protection under legislation and they can be controlled without a licence, however only certain ways of doing this are permitted under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is illegal to kill them, or attempt to do so, by using any kind of poison and this includes gassing compounds. Fox control generally requires expertise and experience. A table of local staff is available on this link if you wish to speak to a Natural England Wildlife Adviser or contact the Wildlife Licensing Unit on 0845 6014523 or email: wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk please state your county.

Download SIN003 Urban Foxes leaflet

Planning cases

23. Has Natural England been consulted on `x` development?

If a development is being considered by a Council but has not yet been assigned a planning application number, Natural England is unlikely to have been consulted on it (although the Land Ops teams who are the planning ‘specialists’ do give pre-application advice for large or major planning applications).

24. My neighbour has applied for planning permission and I am sure bats / great crested newts / smooth snakes are present but no survey has been made. What can I do?

We would recommend that you establish a complete species record/list (you may find it useful to talk to other neighbours in order to achieve this) and inform the Council immediately if any European Protected Species are known to be present. Where representations from other parties highlight the possible presence or the Council is aware of a protected or Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species on the site, the Council should request a specific species (e.g. bat) survey from the applicant before determining the application.

Main navigation

Frequently asked questions

Corporate information

1. What is the role of Natural England?