Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are for both people and wildlife. They are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. They offer people special opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it.

There are now over 1050 LNRs in England. They range from windswept coastal headlands, ancient woodlands and flower-rich meadows to former inner city railways, long abandoned landfill sites and industrial areas now re-colonised by wildlife. In total they cover almost 40,000 ha - an impressive natural resource which makes an important contribution to England's biodiversity.

English Nature recommends that LNRs should be:

• normally greater than 2ha in size,
• capable of being managed with the conservation of nature and/or the maintenance of special opportunities for study, research or enjoyment of nature as the priority concern.
• LNRs should also be either:
  - of high natural interest in the local context or
  - of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for formal education or research or
  - of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for the informal enjoyment of nature by the public.