Natural Environment White Paper Virtual Group

Secretary: Kirsten Loveday

The Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP) Virtual Group seeks to influence the White Paper and its outcomes to empower the recovery of England's natural environment.

Update from the group: January 2012

EFRA evidence session

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee held an evidence session on the Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP) on 18 January. Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscapes at The Wildlife Trusts, gave evidence on behalf of Link regarding  implementation of NEWP to date, payment for Ecosystem Services and issues surrounding funding.  To see the full evidence session click here and for more information please click here.

Meeting with Defra

Link met with Defra on 24 January to discuss Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) and Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs). Nicola Hutchinson attended this meeting on behalf of Link. There is now a clearer understanding of what LNPs should do and more information from Defra will be available in due course. The next meeting with Defra on the NEWP is scheduled for 1 February.

Green Infrastructure Partnership

The Green Infrastructure Partnership held its first meeting on 5 December 2011, with over 50 organisations present. Katherine Hawkins, Biodiversity Officer  at The Wildlife Trusts represented Link. The meeting provided an opportunity for organisations to sign up to be partners of the various workstrands including economic/valuation; education, training and skills; urban design and productive landscapes and biodiversity.