Countryside - general information
Working closely with the local community, landowners and various environmental organisations, the council's Countryside Service aims to provide a countryside that is attractive and accessible to all sections of the community, while safeguarding and enhancing its wildlife, natural and historic features.
The two largest sites are woodlands - Northaw Great Wood and Sherrardspark Wood - and are both designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). SSSIs are the country's very best wildlife and geological sites. It is essential to manage our remaining natural heritage carefully for future generations. Wildlife and geological features are under pressure from development, pollution, climate change and unsustainable land management.
Our smaller sites are a mix of woodland, meadow and fen, and several are designated as Local Nature Reserves. Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are for both people and wildlife and are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. They offer people opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it.
Northaw Great Wood and Sherrardspark Wood are LNRs, as are The Commons, Mardley Heath and Danesbury.
Proposals for four New Local Nature Reserves in 2007.
In 2007, the council intends to declare four new LNRs in the borough: Singlers Marsh at Welwyn, Stanborough Reed Marsh at Welwyn Garden City and Howe Dell and Oxleys Wood that are both in South Hatfield. The consultation period for comments on the plans to declare four new nature reserves is now closed and the comments received are being collated. We had a range of comments and will reply individually, thanks to everyone that responded.
For backgound information, Natural England's web page Why designate Local Nature Reserves? is very informative.