Natural England - Doing more for nature - Integrated Biodiversity Delivery Areas

Doing more for nature - Integrated Biodiversity Delivery Areas

Over the past two years, Natural England has been working with the England Biodiversity Group to trial new methods of improving nature protection through the establishment of Integrated Biodiversity Delivery Areas or IBDAs.

Map showing all eight IBDAs

These areas have been established as a result of the government’s 2008 report, ‘Securing Biodiversity’, which set out the conservation challenges associated with the long term decline of many of England’s plants and animals.

IBDA’s cover areas of regional significance and encompass entire landscapes such as the South Downs and the Fens of East Anglia. Their creation is a response to the limitations of protecting species though a fragmented network of nature reserves, which are often only a few hectares in size. IBDAs seek to create connectivity between such sites and restore habitats across a wider area in order to meet the needs of species better. The principle of adopting a larger-scale, landscape, approach to conservation has gained prominence amongst environmental organizations over the past decade and is emphasised in the government’s Natural Environment White Paper published in June 2011.

IBDA’s aim to improve biodiversity by establishing strong partnerships between conservation organisations, the business sector and local communities. They are not designated as officially protected areas, but provide a means of coordinating the work of a wide range of conservation initiatives being implemented within a unified landscape. This could include a wide range of projects from community woodland schemes, and local nature reserves, to Sites of Special Scientific Interest, environmental farming programmes and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Eight IBDAs have been established: Tamar to Exe; Wye, Severn and Avon Vales; London Thames and Tributaries; the Fens; Southern Peaks and Fringes; South Downs; South Pennines and Dark Peak; and Derwent Valley and Pennine Fringe. Each area has its own unique character and set of aims and objectives for improving nature conservation. These were agreed by a partnership of local and national conservation experts, based on their knowledge of existing habitats and species as well as the opportunities that exist for enhancing biodiversity.

The England Biodiversity Group, established by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, is composed of NGOs, agricultural bodies and government agencies with specialist knowledge of nature conservation. The work to establish IBDAs has been coordinated by Natural England. An evaluation of the lessons learned and progress of IBDAs to date will be carried out in summer 2011. Further updates on the programme will be posted on this website.

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