Many of the best sites throughout the UK have some level of protection through local, national or European designation. It may be a small site or a much larger area which is designated and its value could be to nature conservation, geological or combined with value to the local community.

What types of designated sites are found in Shropshire?

SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest Designated by Natural England these 4000 or more sites in the UK are the very best places for wildlife or geology, are protected for the future through working with landowners and cover 7% of the country's area.

AONB - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty These are large areas which by virtue of a combination of valuable landscape, geology, biodiversity, historical and cultural features should be safe guarded for the future. There are 40 AONB's in England and Wales.

SAC - Special Area of Conservation Sites which are strictly protected by the EU habitats directive for being important and high quality of the habitats listed in the EU regulations.

LNR - Local Nature Reserve Sites which have value in terms of biodiversity or geology and also have value to local communities.

NNR - National Nature Reserve Sites which represent a nationally important example of a particular habitat or landform.

Ramsar site - A European level of designation given to wetland sites of particular value in a European context under the Ramsar convention.

RIGS - Regionally Important Geological or Geomorphological Sites These are fine examples of particular geology or landforms which are recognised as valuable and protected for future generations.

ESA - Environmentally Sensitive Area Designated by Defra these areas are important because of biodiversity or landscape character but are within the farmed environment and protected by agreements with land managers.

Local wildlife sites - designated by Shropshire Wildlife Trust these sites include Shropshire's best rural and urban wildlife areas and represent a range of nationally and local important habitats.

Scheduled monuments - Sites with archaeological value or historical buildings which are considered nationally important and therefore protected from unauthorised changes.

A good place to start can be the MAGIC (Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside) website since this site allows you to map a large number of combinations of designations in a specific postcode, county or nationally through the interactive map function.

The JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) is the advisor to the government on all conservation issues in the UK and internationally. The JNCC website contains information on a range of designated sites including site information sheets for all Ramsar sites, site information for SACs and SPAs and other information on how and why sites are designated.

Natural England can provide information on SSSI designation including maps of sites, SSSI citations, operations which need permission and information on site condition. 

Nature on the Map is an interactive map site run by Natural England which gives you the ability to map designated sites, agri-environment schemes and biodiversity action plan habitats.

The Shropshire Geological Society website provides information including a map showing all RIGS in Shropshire and reasons for designation.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust can provide information on any of the 550 designated Wildlife Sites in Shropshire. They can be contacted at enquiries@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk or on 01743 284280