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'Ello to Elms at Haigh
Photo, film and interview opportunity:
Monday 23 October
Haigh Hall, Haigh Country Park, Wigan, WN2 1PE
10.45am Journalists invited to attend launch event and speeches.
1.45pm Interview and photo opportunity - Peter Allen and Pam Warhurst,
Natural England Board members and Richard Leafe, Regional Director
planting disease resistant Dutch Elm tree
For further details contact Paul Johnston on 01947 880513 or 07974 686
556
Natural England launches North West Office and helps reintroduce Elm
trees to historic landscape of Haigh Country Park, Wigan
Monday 23 October sees the launch of Natural England’s new North West
office at a special event at Haigh Hall, Wigan. To mark the launch, a
disease resistant Elm tree will be planted to help start the
reintroduction of Elm trees into the park after the devastation wrought
by Dutch Elm disease during the 1970s and 1980s.
Natural England is the new government agency created to champion the
natural environment. Its purpose is to ensure that the natural
environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of
present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable
development.
The launch at Haigh Hall, Wigan sees Natural England stakeholders and
partners -including representatives from local authorities, wildlife
trusts, other environmental bodies, representatives from farming and
major land owners –invited to hear about the new organisation, its roles
and responsibilities.
Richard Leafe, North West regional director says; “Natural England’s
creation means that for the first time ever there is a single
organisation in England with responsibility for protecting and enhancing
biodiversity and landscapes, as well as promoting greater access and
recreation – helping people to enjoy more green spaces both in the
countryside and urban environments.
“As a delivery organisation, we will provide incentives to farmers and
land managers to manage their land in a more environmentally friendly
way. We will also be a key regulator and the government’s independent
watchdog to advise on how policies affect the natural environment.
“Over 200 acres of woodland were planted at Haigh Hall during the 1860s.
Dutch Elm disease virtually wiped out the Elm population during the
1970s and 80s so we are delighted to have the opportunity to start
bringing back disease resistant trees into this historic landscape.“
Graham Workman, countryside development manager, Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust adds; "We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious
launch at Haigh, which to many is the jewel in Wigan's natural make-up.
The formation of Natural England will have huge benefits to many
organisations across the country, not least in Wigan, where we are
already seeing positive action with the re-introduction of the elm tree
back into the park."
The region covers an area of approximately 14,000km2, with 6.9 million
inhabitants. 80% of the region is rural but 58% of the population lives
in the Greater Manchester and Merseyside conurbations. 29% of the region
is designated as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
and the region has a coastline extending over 1000km.
Natural England has been formed by bringing together English Nature, the
landscape, access and recreation elements of the Countryside Agency and
the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development
Service.
-ends-
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