Nature reserves

Local Nature Reserves are natural sites that have a legal status. Find out more on the Natural England website.

See our parks and open spaces directory to find out about nature reserves in York.

Statutory Local Nature Reserves are important because they:

• increase people's awareness and enjoyment of their natural environment
• provide an ideal environment for everyone to learn about and study nature
• build relationships between local authorities, national and local nature conservation organisations, and local people
• protect wildlife habitats and natural features
• offer a positive use for land which local authorities would prefer was left undeveloped
• make it possible to apply by-laws which can help in managing and protecting the site
• give a very clear signal to a local community of the local authority's commitment to nature conservation because a Local Nature Reserve is a statutory declaration

Further information

You can find out about other wildlife sites in York and further afield on the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust website.

Wild about York

Use our education pack to make the most of your local ‘living classrooms’ by teaching youngsters in a nearby park.

Also see

• Environment and animals
• Parks and open spaces
• Nature conservation
• One Planet York