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<p>The Government has implemented a range of measures to both protect and increase
biodiversity across the country. In London 6,000 hectares have been designated as
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with some 141,000 hectares designated
as SSSI across the south east. These protected sites host habitats and species of
international importance for wildlife conservation. Examples include Walthamstow Reservoirs
SSSI which is Europe’s largest urban wetland, and the New Forest, the largest area
of semi-natural habitat in England covering 29,000 hectares of heathland, grassland
and ancient woodland.</p><p> </p><p>We provide substantial public funding for increasing
biodiversity, spending £2.9 billion on agri-environment schemes in England through
our seven year Rural Development Programme. Schemes are tailored to the specific biodiversity
interests in London and the south east through our local targeting statements. In
London priorities include wood pasture and parkland as well as wetland habitats such
as reedbeds. In the south east there are a number of statements reflecting the diverse
landscapes of the region including the heathlands of the Thames Basin, chalk grasslands
of the North Downs and South Downs and wetlands of the Kent coast.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government also supports a range of partnership activities. For example in London,
at Walthamstow, Natural England has worked closely with a range of partners over ten
years on a partnership project to expand wetlands and open them to the public. In
the south east, Natural England is working with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust,
the RSPB and over 100 farmers and landowners to reintroduce the short-haired bumblebee
to Dungeness. The success of the project in creating extensive, wildflower-rich habitat
has led to the recording of rare bee species in areas where they have not been seen
for 40 years.</p>
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