English Nature is the Government funded body whose purpose is to promote the conservation of England's wildlife and natural features. We achieve this by taking action ourselves and by working through and enabling others. Our main duties and powers have been given to us by the following Acts of Parliament:

• National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
  
• Countryside Act 1968
  
• Nature Conservancy Council Act 1973
  
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended 1985)
  
• Environmental Protection Act 1990
  
• Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
  

We are governed by a Council whose Chairman and Members are appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment and we employ over 660 permanent staff and over 80 fixed term appointees.

We work closely with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales for a consistent approach to nature conservation throughout Great Britain, and towards fulfilling our international obligations.