This new report brings together data from Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Government Office and Yorkshire Futures to show the state of the natural environment in Yorkshire and Humber.

It presents mapped data and commentary about where our most valuable natural assets are, and what air, water and landscape quality is like across the region.

• Download The Natural Environment Evidence Base for Yorkshire and Humber (pdf).

The report includes detailed maps of biodiversity opportunity areas where resources could be targeted to restore or expand areas of priority biodiversity action plan habitats, and a wealth of information about the potential for green infrastructure.
 
The report identifies that Yorkshire and Humber is rich in natural assets, containing a quarter of all national park land in England, and extensive tracts of high quality agricultural land.

However, we are taking the region’s natural resources for granted and that’s not sustainable. In some parts of the region, too much water is being abstracted from our rivers. New monitoring requirements for our waterways mean that in the future, our rivers, lakes and estuaries will require much more management to reach an acceptable standard, for example by reducing the amount of pollution that washes off land and into rivers.

There are also areas, particularly in the eastern parts of Yorkshire, where it can be difficult for the public to gain access to green space for recreation and enjoyment.

It is hoped that the maps and commentary in the report will prove useful for planners and managers to inform policy and decision making.

The report makes clear how dependant we are on the natural environment for food and raw materials, fresh air and clean water.

It provides our societies and economies with essential services like flood protection, carbon storage, and pollination of food crops  - services we currently get for free and which would cost us many millions of pounds to provide artificially. The natural environment also underpins many important regional industries including agriculture and tourism.

The main conclusion of the report is that we need to move beyond simply protecting the natural environment from damage, and ensure that we properly value and invest in it, making sure that policy adequately reflects the value of a healthy, well-functioning natural environment, both now and in the future.