English Nature

It was set up by an Act of Parliament, the Environmental Protection Act[?] of 1990. It is part of DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and gives statutory advice, grants and licences.

English Nature is governed by a council and employs about 700 people.

It works close with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee[?] and the equivalent bodies for Scotland (Scottish Natural Heritage), Wales (Countryside Council for Wales) and Northern Ireland (Environment and Heritage Service) to bring a consistent approach to nature conservation[?] throughout Britain and towards fulfilling its international obligations.