To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, Natural England announced that 25 new National Nature Reserves will open across England over the next 5 years called the ‘King’s Series’. The first 3 have already been launched.
The first reserve was launched in September 2023 on the Greater Lincolnshire coast. Known as the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve. It joins two existing dune reserves and in total makes the area two thirds larger.
The hope for the extended site is to provide space for nature and humans alike to spend time in this natural environment.
Speaking on the Gov.uk website, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:
“This area of coastline is of international importance due to habitats that support hundreds of thousands of birds, rare natterjack toads and a host of special insects and plants.
The second site announced in October was the Mendip National Nature Reserve in Somerset, which has bought together 31 existing sites and added an additional 400 hectares of land.
Speaking on the Gov.uk website, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:
‘’Today’s declaration of the new Mendip National Nature Reserve is a huge step for Nature recovery, not just in Somerset but the country as a whole. This treasure trove of ancient woodlands, rich wildflower grasslands and stunning geology is of great national importance and sustains a huge variety of wildlife. There are birds, small mammals, rare butterflies and plants that are found only here.’’
‘’Creating this new National Nature Reserve will be a step along the road of enhancing the biodiversity of the Mendip Hills – making it a bigger, better and more joined up place for wildlife to thrive.” It also gives even more opportunities for the local community and visitors to connect with Nature, history and the local heritage.’’
The third site, announced in Feb 2024 is named Devon’s Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve. It is set to connect Otter Estuary with existing lowland heathlands at Pebblebed Heaths, an expansion of 90 hectares. The expansion is in part created using manmade coastal engineering.
Speaking on the Gov.uk website, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:
‘’The extension of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve to encompass the River Otter restoration project is a huge step for nature recovery, not just in Devon but the country as a whole, with new wetland habitat protected for nature.’’
‘’The Otter estuary restoration shows how we can work with nature to deliver multiple benefits from climate change adaption to reduced flood risk while supporting internationally important wildlife.’’
This ambitious extension to the National Nature Reserve will not only enhance the natural environment, making it a better and more joined up place for wildlife to thrive, but also provide opportunities for locals and visitors alike to connect with the natural world, history and the local heritage.”