Even if people do not get actively involved in nature conservation, they usually appreciate the beauty of a forest, the tranquillity of a country lane or the power and energy of the ocean. Where possible, we promote our National Nature Reserves as places for people; places to enjoy nature, to take some exercise or to escape from the pressures of bustling towns and cities.

Natural England needs the support of people who live and work near NNRs in order to successfully protect and enhance them. We encourage volunteers to get involved and, through them, we are able to form close links with communities. We encourage people from all walks of life to take an interest and to be active in supporting nature conservation where they live and work.

Redgrave Lopham Fen NNR, Suffolk, volunteers clearing access ride, Peter Wakely/English NatureVolunteers are ambassadors for Natural England, gaining trust and respect from members of the public on our behalf. They help to spread the word about Natural England and the special sites and species we protect. That message is all the more powerful because they carry out their role simply because they want to. By involving volunteers Natural England benefits from a huge range of new skills. We are also able to increase the amount of time spent on protecting nature ? we have estimated that, in total, our volunteers give around 7,500 days of support per year!