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<p>Natural England is the statutory nature conservation body in England.</p><p> </p><p>There
are currently 224 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in England, with an approximate
area of 94,000 hectares. Natural England manages in whole or in part 143 NNRs, with
a total area of approximately 65,000 hectares. Of these, Natural England owns about
20,000 hectares, leases about 30,000 hectares, and manages about 15,000 hectares under
Nature Reserve Agreements. The remainder are managed by 53 'Approved Bodies' (organisations
approved by Natural England to manage NNRs under Section 35 Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981). Almost all NNRs are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) (over
99% by area) and 84% is designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special
Protection Areas (SPA), or both.</p><p> </p><p>Defra does not hold information on
individual land ownership outside the government estate, although many environmental
non-government organisations are open about the size of their land holdings. For example,
the National Trust and the RSPB, both of whom own significant area of land, publish
data and maps of their reserve boundaries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.</p><p>
</p><p>The public forest estate in England, which is managed by Forest Enterprise
England (an executive agency sponsored by the Forestry Commission), covers over 250,000
hectares and is managed for multiple purposes, including conservation.</p><p> </p>
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