New seats announced for Natural England committees

Natural England has appointed new chairs for two of its committees: the National Nature Reserves (NNR) Steering Group; and the Natural England Science Advisory Committee (NESAC).

It follows the departure of Andy Clements, a longtime board member whose term expired last month and who chaired both committees.

The NNR Steering Committee will be co-chaired by Kim Shillinglaw, a Natural England board member, and Jake Fiennes, Director of Holkham NNR in Norfolk. NESAC will be co-chaired by Clare Fitzsimmons and Lynn Dicks, both Natural England Board members.

NNRs are the most important places for wildlife, including some of the best examples of wildlife and geology. Over the last 70 years, 221 have been proclaimed by Natural England and its predecessors, with three core purposes: conservation, science and people. Natural England recently committed to announcing 25 new or significantly expanded NNRs over the next five years, which will be known as The Kings Series.

NNRs are owned and/or managed by Natural England or by approved bodies such as environmental organizations and private companies.

The NNR Steering Committee consists of 12 members, representing the range of NNR recognized bodies. Over the past year, the Steering Committee has developed an NNR Strategy, outlining our shared vision and strategic priorities for the UK’s NNRs.

The focus of the NNR steering committee for the next three years will be on realizing the NNR strategy, working together to stimulate nature restoration on a large scale.

Kim Shillinglaw said:

Now is the time for all conservation and restoration organizations to step up collaboration, because nature needs scale if we are to reverse biodiversity loss and climate change and deliver more for people.

So I’m excited to join Jake as Chair of the National Nature Reserves Steering Group, with its ambitions to significantly grow the number of NNRs and build deeper and broader partnerships between our leading wildlife organizations, large and small.

Jake Fiennes said:

NNRs are great places. They are where nature, people and science all come together and they are at the heart of the new approach to reviving our depleted natural world.

Holkham Estate is the largest privately owned NNR and a recognized body; as a director, i am extremely proud of what we are achieving for wildlife restoration, not just here but in all NNRs.

NESAC provides independent advice, challenge and assessment to Natural England’s Science and Evidence functions and works to strengthen its relationship with the wider scientific community. Committee members include Natural England Board members, the Chief Scientist, independent experts and specialists co-opted or invited to provide expertise on a specific subject.

Clare Fitzsimmons said:

NESAC plays a vital role in supporting wildlife restoration by scrutinizing the integrity and rigor of our science and evidence.

I am delighted to be working with Lynn and supporting this committee, where we are privileged to integrate a variety of experiences from internationally recognized scientists from a wide range of disciplines. Their strategic external perspectives ensure that Natural England provides the best available scientific advice to support decision making for wildlife restoration.

Lynn Dicks said:

There is real momentum building around wildlife restoration in the UK. As we work together to change landscapes and seascapes, it is more important than ever that the actions taken are based on the best available scientific knowledge.

NESAC connects Natural England directly to the academic research community, to provide an independent external view from the forefront of conservation science.

I am delighted to be joining NESAC as Co-Chair. I will use my experience of evidence-based conservation and cross-disciplinary research to keep its activities efficient, effective, inclusive and transparent.

Natural England chairman Tony Juniper said:

I am very pleased that we have been able to appoint people with such a range of talents and experience to chair two very important committees. Natural England and our partners have a lot of work to do to secure the restoration of nature and meet the government’s ambitious environmental targets by the end of this decade.

The NNR Steering Committee will help strengthen collaborative partnerships that can pay dividends for wildlife restoration, and NESAC will help ensure that the science and evidence underpinning wildlife restoration is as robust and reliable as possible.