Countryside and conservation organisations
There are large numbers of organisations in Britain dedicated to conserving the landscape and countryside. Some are statutory bodies, some are voluntary groups and charities. Here are just a few of the biggest:
National Trust
The National Trust, a charity with 3.5 million members, controls 900 square miles of land, protects over 700 miles of coastline and manages 61,000 acres of woods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its equivalent north of the border is the National Trust for Scotland.
Campaign to Protect Rural England
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) campaigns for a sustainable future for the English countryside, highlighting threats and promoting positive solutions.
Natural England
Natural England is the Government's statutory advisor on landscape and is responsible for national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and heritage coasts. It is an independent public body whose purpose is to protect and improve England’s natural environment.
English Heritage
English Heritage protects England's historic historic buildings and monuments, including prehistoric and medieval settlements, burial mounds and battlefields. In Scotland similar work is done by Historic Scotland and in Wales by Cadw.
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, with has more than 1,000 woodland sites covering 50,000 acres.
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) involves volunteers in practical conservation work.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) works to protect birds and the environment. With over a million members it is Europe’s largest conservation charity.
The Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts made up of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, have 791,000 members. They work for an environment rich in wildlife and are dedicated to conserving the UK’s habitats and species.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) saves wetlands for wildlife and people across the world. It has nine UK wetland visitor centres.
