This page gives an overview of the complex structure of environmental and cultural conservation in the United Kingdom.
With the advent of devolved government for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and of evolving regional government for England, the responsibilities for environment and conservation in the United Kingdom have become more complicated.
There follows a list of the legislation, conservation bodies (both governmental and otherwise), and conservation designations, which work together to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the UK. A list of 'objects of conservation' provides further links.
Legislation
Some of the key legislation which governs conservation issues in the UK. This list is not exhaustive.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
Badgers Act 1991
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Environment Act 1995
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Environment (Wales) Act 2016
National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
Protection of Badgers Act 1992
Weeds Act 1959
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Conservation bodies
Government departments
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Directorates of the Scottish Government: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Governmental bodies
The following are Executive Agencies of the UK government and regional executives, with note on their areas of responsibility.
United Kingdom
Joint Nature Conservation Committee — co-ordination of regional bodies
Forestry Commission — co-ordinating international forestry policy support and certain plant health functions in respect of trees and forestry.
England
Historic England — cultural and built heritage. Natural England — nature and wildlife conservation, landscape protection. Environment Agency — waterways, pollution, waste management. Forestry England — Forestry management
Scotland
The following are Public bodies of the Scottish Government, with notes on their areas of responsibility. Forestry and Land Scotland — forestry management Historic Environment Scotland — cultural and built heritage NatureScot — landscape protection, wildlife conservation Scottish Canals — management of inland waterways Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) — waterways, pollution, waste management Scottish Forestry — forestry regulation and support
Wales
Cadw — cultural and built heritage
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) (formerly Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and Environment Agency Wales) — protection of landscapes and rural countryside, regulation of waterways, pollution, waste management
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) — conservation of natural and built heritage Forest Service Northern Ireland
Non-governmental organisations
Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
Botanical Society of the British Isles
British Dragonfly Society
British Trust for Ornithology
British Waterfowl Association
Buglife
Butterfly Conservation
The Canal & River Trust, formerly British Waterways
Cam Valley Wildlife Group
Civic Trust
Civic Trust for Wales
Boards of Conservators which have been established for specific areas. Council for British Archaeology Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Environment Wales Historic Houses Association Institute of Conservation John Muir Trust Marine Conservation Society National Gardens Scheme National Trust (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) National Trust for Scotland Norfolk Conservation Corps North East Civic Trust Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scottish Civic Trust Scottish Forest Alliance Scottish Ornithologists' Club Scottish Wildlife Trust Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings The Conservation Volunteers The Grasslands Trust Trinity House Ulster Wildlife Trust The Welsh Wildlife Trusts Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) The Wildlife Trusts partnership links to every county Wildlife Trust The Woodland Trust The Animal Project
Conservation designations
National parks
National parks
Areas designated by government agencies
The following designations are established or monitored by the executive agencies listed above.