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City Of York Council

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Nature reserves

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

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 bye-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.

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


Acomb Wood and Meadow
This ten-acres of mixed woodland and ancient meadow is a green oasis in the middle of a large housing estate.
Clifton Backies
Clifton Backies was designated a local nature reserve in 2002. It is situated between Bootham Stray and Water Lane in Clifton Without
Hob Moor
Hob Moor local nature reserve is behind Edmund Wilson Swimming Pool, Thanet Road and to the west of Tadcaster Road
St Nicholas Fields
St Nicholas Fields is in Tang Hall and was designated as a local nature reserve in 2004

Contact

Local nature reserves
tel: (01904) 553440
mob: 07771 941155
email: nature.reserves
@york.gov.uk