4.3 Conservation of the natural and archaeological environment
In 1992 English Heritage and English Nature signed a statement of intent which established procedures for ensuring that both organisations work in partnership on sites of natural and archaeological importance. During 1997-98, English Heritage continued to play a supporting role in the Veteran Trees Initiative. Britain has 80% of the veteran trees in Europe, many of which are within areas of historic importance, and contribute to our historical and cultural heritage. Training for staff on the importance and management of veteran trees continues, primarily through workshops run by English Nature, and a technical handbook on the management of veteran trees is being produced, with joint funding from English Heritage, the Countryside Commission, and English Nature. We are also assisting English Nature with plans for a project on the role of parklands as important areas for nature conservation. Together with the Countryside Commission, English Heritage has been working with English Nature to identify ways in which potential benefits of the project can be optimised for all organisations involved in the care and management of parkland sites.
English Heritage continues to notify English Nature of sites newly designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments, or registered as historic parks, gardens or battlefields, and of sites in our care. English Nature notifies us of the designation of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and of areas designated as National or Marine Nature Reserves. A fundamental aim of the statement of intent is to ensure that both archaeological and nature conservation objectives are taken into account in the management of sites within our respective estates, and on other land where advice or grant aid is provided by the two organisations. With this objective in mind, the Gardens and Landscape Team has produced a range of Landscape Advice Notes, distributed widely within English Heritage, that advise on nature conservation and landscape management issues.
Ecological survey of the 408 historic properties in our care continues. A programme of repeat botanical surveys, revisiting sites first surveyed in 1990-91, has begun. This should ensure that we have up-to-date information, and that the effects of beneficial management can be monitored. Survey priorities for other groups have been drawn up, and as a result, particular emphasis is being placed on the survey of sites for bats and lichens. The historic properties portfolio includes 30 Sites of Special Scientific Interests (including seven of international importance) and 45 County Wildlife Sites (also known as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest). Many other sites have protected species, for example almost 25% of all historic properties are used by bats. 1997 saw the production of a report (Historic properties their wildlife and importance for nature conservation), which summarises the ecological interest of the historic properties estate. It identifies priorities and key tasks for us to carry out to conserve and, where possible, increase the ecological interest on these sites. Local liaison between English Heritage staff and English Nature local teams in many areas has been good; our new regional structure is much more comparable with English Nature regions and will lead to even closer liaison between the two bodies.