As part of its role as the Government’s statutory advisor on nature conservation in England, English Nature devised the Natural Area framework to implement the UK Biodiversity Action Plan arising from the Convention on Biological Diversity signed by the Prime Minister, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, this sets objectives for the conservation of biodiversity in the UK. The development of the Natural Area concept is fundamental to English Nature's drive to ensure that these objectives are met through action at a local level throughout England where national objectives can be translated into local action within meaningful areas of countryside, not administrative boundaries.

The local distinctiveness of each part of England was examined to identify their characteristic wildlife and natural features and this information was used to define a comprehensive series of 120 Natural Areas. Their boundaries are based on the distribution of wildlife and natural features and on the land use pattern and human history of each area, and thus offer an effective framework for the planning and achievement of nature conservation objectives.

The character of a Natural Area is defined by those distinctive species, habitats and physical features that distinguish it from neighbouring areas. This distinct, coherent character enables the development of plans to care for all of the species in that area, including those that are still commonplace as well as those that are rare. Consequently, the conservation of our natural heritage is engendered by the concept of Thinking Globally and Acting Locally.

English Nature is a major funding body of countryside projects and provided the grant for the touchscreen system that you are using. Therefore, any countryside management projects, like Wynyard Woodland Park, cannot afford to ignore such fundamental policy frameworks. Although Stockton Borough Council’s countryside section does not strictly adhere to the concept of the Natural Area Context in their management plans, it is largely in agreement with the ethos behind them.

Wynyard Woodland Park lies within Natural Area 7, The Tees Lowlands, but is towards the boundary with the Durham Magnesium Limestone Area 6; as such it shares some features of both. More information is available, about these and other Natural Areas of England, on the English Nature website: www.english-nature.org.uk