Natural England has appointed new chairs for two of its committees – the National Nature Reserves (NNR) Steering Group and the Natural England Science Advisory Committee (NESAC).
The public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), announced that the NNR Steering Group will be chaired jointly by Kim Shillinglaw, a Natural England board member, and Jake Fiennes, director of Holkham NNR in Norfolk.
NESAC, Natural England said, will be chaired jointly by Clare Fitzsimmons and Lynn Dicks, both Natural England Board members.
Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper, said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to appoint people with such a range of talents and experience to chair what are two very important committees.
“Natural England and our partners have much work to do to secure nature recovery and meet the government’s ambitious environmental targets by the end of this decade.
“The NNR Steering Group will help to strengthen partnerships that can deliver a great deal for Nature recovery, and NESAC will help ensure that the science and evidence underpinning the restoration of nature is as robust and reliable as possible.”
NNRs are owned and/or managed by Natural England or by ‘approved bodies’ such as environmental organisations and private businesses. The NNR Steering Group comprises 12 members, representing the range of NNR approved bodies.
The focus for the NNR Steering Group for the next three years will be to deliver the NNR Strategy, working together to drive nature recovery at scale.
NNR Steering Group co-chair Shillinglaw said: “It’s now time for all organisations engaged in nature conservation and recovery to step up collaboration, because nature needs scale if we are to turn the corner on biodiversity loss and climate change and to deliver more for people.
“So I’m delighted to join Jake in chairing the National Nature Reserves Steering Group, with its ambitions to significantly grow the number of NNRs and build ever deeper and wider partnerships between our leading nature organisations, large and small.”
Fiennes said: “NNRs are amazing places. They are where nature, people and science all come together and they are at the heart of the new approach to revive our depleted natural world.”
NESAC
NESAC provides independent advice, challenge and review to Natural England’s Science and Evidence functions and works to strengthen its relationship with the wider scientific community, Natural England said.
Members of the committee include Natural England Board members, the chief scientist, independent experts, and specialists who are co-opted or invited to provide expertise on a specific subject.
Clare Fitzsimmons said: “NESAC plays a critical role in supporting nature recovery by scrutinising the integrity and rigour of our science and evidence.
“I am excited to work with Lynn and support this committee, where we are privileged to incorporate a diversity of experiences from internationally recognised scientists drawn from a wide array of disciplines.
“Their strategic external perspectives ensure Natural England provides the best available scientific advice to underpin decision-making for nature recovery.”
Fitzsimmons’ co-chair, Lynn Dicks, said there is a “real momentum” building around nature recovery in the UK.
“As we work together to change landscapes and seascapes, it’s more important than ever that the actions taken are informed by the best available scientific knowledge,” she said.
“NESAC connects Natural England directly with the academic research community, to provide an independent external view from the cutting edge of conservation science.
“I am delighted to be joining NESAC as a co-chair. I will be using my experience of evidence-based conservation and interdisciplinary research to help keep its activities efficient, effective, inclusive and transparent.”
