Natural England unveils latest super nature reserve

Natural England unveiled last week, the latest of its new breed of “super” National Nature Reserves which are based on a “landscape-scale approach to partnership working.”

The Wild Ennerdale National Nature Reserve in West Cumbria will cover more than 3,000 hectares of landscape comprising water, forests and mountains making it the ninth largest reserve in England.

The Wild Ennerdale Partnership began 20 years ago and seeks to allow natural processes to shape the ecology and landscapes within the valley. It brings together four organisations: Forestry England, National Trust, United Utilities and Natural England.

Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper, said the declaration of Wild Ennerdale as a National Nature Reserve “will enhance the spectacular landscape, wildlife and habitats, safeguarding them for the future while providing space for people to get close to wild nature.”

Juniper said the Lake District valley supports some of Britain’s most precious wildlife, including Red Squirrels, the Freshwater Pearl Mussels which can live for 100 years, and the Arctic Charr – “a fish that has hung on in the valley since the last Ice Age.”

Environment minister, Trudy Harrison, said the creation of Wild Ennerdale “strengthens our commitment to nature’s recovery and our ambitions under the 25 Year Environment Plan to leave the natural world in a better state than we found it.”

She added: “Support from local communities is essential for the success of National Nature Reserves, and it’s vital that we work together to protect the future of these wildlife habitats.

Rachel Oakley of the Wild Ennerdale Partnership said: “The announcement demonstrates how the government is delivering on the Environment Act – a key target of which is to halt the decline in our wildlife populations through a legally binding target for species abundance by 2030.”