Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs), which seek to enhance the environment on a landscape scale, are making 'real progress' in delivering their objectives according to Professor Sir John Lawton. Lawton was heralding the release of the first NIA evaluation report on Wednesday.

He said, "One of the things that struck me forcefully when I have been visiting [NIAs] is the huge amount of enthusiasm, collaboration and vision in every consortium.... I'm amazed by how much has been achieved already, as this report makes abundantly clear. I always knew that making more space for nature in the NIAs would take time ... But looking at what has been achieved in this first year, I think we will all be pleasantly surprised by where we are by 2015."

NIAs were first introduced in the Natural Environment White Paper released in 2011. Under the scheme, twelve focus areas have been set up where the government hopes to drive restoration of natural ecosystems to protect wildlife, provide better recreation opportunities and reduce the impacts of climate change. The twelve initial NIAs extend from Morecambe Bay in the North West to the Wild Purbeck in the South West.

The Key findings show that all NIAs have now established clear management structures and partnerships, and are already on track to meeting their planned objectives.

Successes

Lawton said NIAs have mobilised significant financial and human resources. According to the report, published by Natural England, each £1 invested by the government has resulted in £5.50 additional support, and this is expected to rise to £6.80 when planned support is taken into account.

The report also notes that:

• Over 6.5ha of new woodland has been created within the Birmingham and Black Country NIA
• Major access routes for visitors have been restored in Dark Peak NIA with the help of volunteers, enabling additional works to begin on nearby routes
• Engagement with schools and community groups has begun in every NIA

• Many NIAs have been engaged in activities which have led to habitat and species gains, plus improvement to ecological connectivity e.g.
• 21.5ha woodland, 51.8ha grassland and two geological sites have been enhanced within the Birmingham and Black Country NIA
• Marlborough Downs NIA has provided food and nest sites for farmland birds, five new ‘sparrow villages’ 70 sparrow nest boxes, five kestrel boxes and a new barn owl box
• 1,500ha of land is to be incorporated into Higher Level Stewardship to strengthen the ecological network in the Nene Valley NIA.