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Natural England
Latest news and opinion on Natural England in the UK.


Emergency Wildfire Action: What Moorland Managers Need to Know
This blog provides guidance on when you can act without prior authorisation from Natural England.
3 days ago4 min read


National fire chiefs call for “strategic” decisions to reduce “tinderbox” wildfire risk
The growing of risk of catastrophic wildfires has led to fire chiefs demanding that the Government gets to grip with the risk.
3 days ago4 min read


Report Reveals Key Factors Behind Hen Harrier Recovery
A recently commissioned report by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) for Natural England looked into this puzzle.
Mar 195 min read


Hen Harrier Brood Management: An Update
A Natural England-led evaluation of the hen harrier brood management trial has concluded that it is has led to more hen harriers successfull
Mar 141 min read


Wildfire Smoke: The Effects on Human Health
Wildfires are an increasing threat in the UK, especially on moorlands. These fires release harmful pollutants that pose serious health risks
Mar 114 min read


Spate of Wildfires Highlights Need for Action
It’s only the first week of March and we’ve already seen a spate of wildfires across our moors. Natural England’s restrictions on...
Mar 61 min read


Results of our Heather and Grass Burning Code Survey
We recently asked our members to complete a short survey about the Heather and Grass Burning Code and here is a summary of the results.
Feb 73 min read


Farmers and Conservationists: Who's REALLY Helping Wildlife?
This article first appeared in Shooting Times By Andrew Gilruth, Chief Executive, Moorland Association Passions were running high at the...
Feb 63 min read

A hillsides policy that is adding fuel to the fire: our piece in the Yorkshire Post
This article written by Moorland Association Chief Executive Andrew Gilruth appeared in the Yorkshire Post on 1st February 2025: Click...
Feb 31 min read


Our letter on stoats in Orkney featured in latest Times 'Sir, The year in letters' book
We're delighted that a letter written by Moorland Association Chief Executive Andrew Gilruth has been featured in the latest edition of...
Jan 311 min read


The Sphagnum Saga: How Our Moorland Is Being Failed
The current approach to moorland management, particularly the mandated sphagnum inoculation, is not achieving its intended conservation goal
Jan 307 min read


Have a big impact: write to your MP about wildfire risk
We are delighted with the coverage in The Daily Mail and The Daily Telegraph for our recent letter to the Home Secretary about wildfire...
Jan 282 min read


FAQs: England's Moorland Wildfire Risk
Below is a summary of the key points made in the letter we recently sent to the Home Secretary outlining the risk of devastating...
Jan 233 min read

MA wildfire letter to Home Secretary featured in press
The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail have published stories in response to the letter we sent to the Home Secretary outlining the risk of...
Jan 221 min read


England’s catastrophic wildfires will be blamed on the Home Office: our letter to the Home Secretary
We recently sent a letter to the Home Secretary outlining the very real risk of catastrophic wildfires engulfing our moorlands due to...
Jan 218 min read


Natural England contradicts itself over hen harriers
The moorland communities we represent applaud the mature leadership of Defra which has overseen the extraordinary recovery of hen...
Dec 18, 20241 min read
Letter to The Guardian in response to Guy Shrubsole's attack on landowners
The following letter for publication has been sent to The Guardian by Andrew Gilruth, Chief Executive of the Moorland Association. Sir,...
Jun 20, 20241 min read
Hen harrier survival rate nearly double in recovery scheme
Survival rates for hen harriers reared and released through an innovative scheme to help the recovery of the species are better than for...
Nov 21, 20234 min read
Record high for hen harrier population in England
Figures released today by Natural England show another rise in the population of Hen Harriers in England, with 141 chicks fledging...
Sep 16, 20233 min read
Hen harriers brought back from the brink
The Moorland Association today welcomes news of a further increase in successful breeding by Hen Harriers in England, with 75 per cent of...
Aug 26, 20222 min read
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