State of the Environment in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes: first report

Environment

The State of the Environment Report assesses the status of the Buckinghamshire environment, using indicators and information to take stock of the extent and quality of Buckinghamshire’s natural assets. These include habitats and the quality of our air and water; our energy and resource use; how much green space we have access to; and the relationship between the environment and economic prosperity.

The report assesses the status of the Buckinghamshire environment: how we make use of it and the many benefits it provides, so the Natural Environment Partnership can track changes and focus efforts to improve it into the future.

Adam Wallace, Natural England, and Board Member of the NEP, praises the production of the report: “Natural England fully supports the need and importance of placing the natural environment and all it offers to society at the centre of decision-making. In order to do that we need a clear view on our natural environment and this report gives an important update on the current state of play.”

The Chair of the NEP, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, notes the importance of the report to focus attention where it is needed: “Our report for the first time brings together information about the Buckinghamshire environment and the benefits it provides that we all rely on.

“It will help focus attention and effort where it’s needed. For example, on improving the quality of our natural environment, including priority habitats; and on the quality of water in our rivers where we found that only 8% are meeting the required “good” status.

“The report also shows the importance of access to green space for the mental and physical health and wellbeing of our communities and how we must protect, improve and provide connected green space for wildlife and people as we face unprecedented growth in Buckinghamshire in the near future.”

The NEP’s report follows the State of Nature 2016 report developed by 53 conservation organisations, which highlights the status of the environment at a national level. The NEP’s report for Buckinghamshire, in line with the national report, recognises the need to better connect people with the environment to protect and improve it for future generations.

Adam Wallace, Natural England says: “The natural environment is fundamental to securing long term economic and social gains this report is an important part of understanding those inter-relationships.”

Wallace is also calling for a step-change in our collective action and thinking – “…to avoid simply slowing the decline of the natural environment in Buckinghamshire and moving to actively improving it.”

In response, the NEP will be working with its Partners, including local authorities, Natural England, The Chilterns Conservation Board, the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Open University and the Chiltern NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, to drive and support improvements to the Buckinghamshire environment using the report’s findings to help prioritise what is done and where.

This will include working with local authorities as they plan new growth areas, with landowners in managing their own land, and with businesses and organisations in all sectors to raise awareness of the difference they can make for the environment. The report will also be updated regularly by the NEP to highlight issues and to monitor and influence change.

Individuals have an equally-important role to play, and there are several ways to help:

  • Save water: using water meters and being careful with water reduces overall consumption – and will help the flow and quality of our rivers and our precious chalk streams;
  • Reduce pollution: for example, by minimising the number of journeys by vehicle; or minimising the use of pesticides and insecticides on crops and plants;
  • Enjoy and care for local green spaces: the NEP encourages people to visit, enjoy and take care of their local green spaces to improve their own health and wellbeing.

The NEP is calling for everyone to “think green” to help conserve and improve the Buckinghamshire environment. Doing so is more important now, during Buckinghamshire’s period of growth, than ever before.