Nature Improvement Areas: locations and progress
Updated 20 January 2016
Applies to England
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The map of Nature Improvement Areas (NIA) in England shows the locations of each of the 12 projects.
Update on progress
Funding through the NIA programme ended in March 2015, but the 12 projects were able to carry on using their own resources. The 3 year monitoring and evaluation process has just been completed and will be published soon.
The 12 projects have made an impact on nature conservation in England. Six of the NIAs have provided case studies which show significant differences to:
- habitat - creation or restoration of new priority habitat
- habitat - maintenance or improvement of existing priority habitat
- habitat connectivity
- species recovery
- social and economic benefits
- innovation
- collaborative working eg across government bodies, local delivery and partnerships
- ecosystem services
- volunteers
- adding value
- effective communication
See the results of this large project in the Dark Peak, as an example of improving and creating high quality woodland. Poor quality non-native conifers have been replaced with open moorland habitat and native sessile oak woodland. This project provided a net gain of 14.4 hectares of woodland and 8.58 hectares of upland heath.
Birmingham and the Black Country
NIA grant awarded: 拢595,750
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Dearne Valley
NIA grant awarded: 拢559,980
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Humberhead Levels
NIA grant awarded: 拢587,295
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Marlborough Downs
NIA grant awarded: 拢555,090
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Meres and Mosses of the Marches
NIA grant awarded: 拢568,470
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Morecambe Bay Limestones and Wetlands
NIA grant awarded: 拢610,763
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Nene Valley
NIA grant awarded: 拢712,311
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Northern Devon
NIA grant awarded: 拢731,367
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
South Downs Way Ahead
NIA grant awarded: 拢608,285
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
The Dark Peak
NIA grant awarded: 拢771,064
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
The Greater Thames Marshes
NIA grant awarded: 拢571,875
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports:
Wild Purbeck
NIA grant awarded: 拢626,363
For information about the , see the Natural England page in the National Archives.
Results
Progress reports: