Nature conservation is the protection and enhancement of wildlife and wild places. The aim is to secure a better future for wildlife and to improve people's understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of wildlife. We work with many organisations; both local, regional and national, in order to achieve this as well as looking at ways of encouraging landowners to conserve and enhance their land's natural beauty and wildlife.

We also provide York residents with access to advice, assistance and grants on all aspects of the rural natural environment and urban nature conservation, as well as guidance to the Council on wildlife and nature conservation.

We look at ways of encouraging landowners to conserve and enhance their land's natural beauty and wildlife. If you are a community group, a school, a farmer or a landowner we can provide advice about the creation of nature conservation areas and the management of existing areas.

Financial support may also be available for nature and landscape conservation schemes.

Our main areas of work are:

• advice on wildlife and countryside management to schools, land owners and farmers
• advice on land management on council owned land
• assistance with the development of grant applications
• provision of grant aid for small proposals deemed to benefit wildlife and people in the York area
• assessment of planning applications with regard to nature conservation and protected species
• development of nature conservation policy for York in conjunction with regional and national policy
• establishing the current state of wildlife in York, ensuring this is kept under review and that key sites are protected within the framework of existing legislation
• implementation of the hedgerow regulations
• provide information and advice with regard to trees and woodlands within York
• provide information about local countryside events
• work with voluntary and training organisations
• manage public rights of way
• manage land specifically for wildlife. See local nature reserves
• assess the extent of wildlife interest in the City of York