Diamond Jubilee for our natural crown jewels

The Diamond Jubilee will come early for six of England’s National Nature Reserves as the end of May will see them celebrating their sixtieth anniversary.

Just one month before Queen Elizabeth II was crowned, six of England’s most precious natural sites – spread across Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Devon, Durham, Kent, Suffolk and West Sussex - were designated as National Nature Reserves (NNRs). A lot has changed in that time – for the Reserves and for the natural environment as a whole: England has become more crowded, the climate is changing and we’ve become more aware of our impact on the planet. These Reserves, however, have remained havens for wildlife and for people, providing a place for our rarest plants and animals to thrive.

The Reserves celebrating their own special anniversary in the run up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee are:

Cavenham Heath, Suffolk

East Dartmoor, Devon

Ham Street Woods, Kent

Holme Fen, Cambridgeshire

Kingley Vale, West Sussex

Moorhouse and Upper Teesdale, Cumbria and Country Durham

Since these were officially recognised as National Nature Reserves, a total of 224 NNRs have been designated across England, creating a unique network and treasure trove for wildlife and also where our finest geology is on show. Designated by Natural England, NNRs are given the highest levels of protection and managed to help benefit the wildlife that inhabit them and the tens of thousands of people that come to visit them each year.

 From The Lizard in Cornwall, to Lindisfarne in Northumberland, each NNR has something that makes it special: whether it’s the ancient yew trees of Kingley Vale – possibly among the oldest living things in England - or the Dartford warbler’s soft, metallic song on East Dartmoor. And as the world changes, NNRs continue to welcome new species, such as the great white egrets that in May of this year nested in England for the first time at Natural England’s Shapwick Heath reserve.

Jim Smyllie, Executive Director at Natural England, said: “Sixty years on, NNRs are more important now than they have ever been. They provide the cornerstones of nature conservation in England and we want them to be at the heart of our efforts to restore wider landscapes to allow our species to thrive.

“The sixty year celebration is a great way to remember what has been achieved for the wildlife on these reserves – it’s also a great time to thank the staff and volunteers who’ve worked so hard to keep these places special. The knowledge and enthusiasm these people bring are as much a national asset as the Reserves themselves.”