Biodiversity and Nature Conservation: Surrey
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) biodiversity and (b) nature recovery within (i) National Landscapes and (ii) nature reserves in Surrey.
Answered by Mary Creagh
Natural England (NE) is committed to supporting biodiversity and nature recovery across England, including within National Landscapes and nature reserves in Surrey. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is guided by a Management Plan (2024–2029) with clear policies to enhance biodiversity and restore habitats. Defra previously supported the Heathland Connections Nature Recovery Project, which helped pave the way for the declaration of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR) earlier this year.
The Wealden Heaths NNR is the largest partnership-led reserve in England, spanning 2,700 hectares across Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex. It is managed by nine organisations, including NE, the National Trust, and Surrey Wildlife Trust, and plays a vital role in protecting rare heathland habitats and species such as Nightjars, Sand Lizards, and Natterjack Toads.
Surrey also benefits from Defra’s Species Recovery Programme, which targets threatened species including those found in the Wealden Heaths.
NE continues to work closely with reserve managers to ensure sites are well-managed and contribute to the Government’s ambition to halt nature decline and protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.
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