Guidance

30by30 on land: assessing whether land can contribute

Published 13 July 2026

Applies to England

The UK government has committed to effectively conserve and manage 30% of our land and of our seas for nature by 2030 – our 30by30 commitment. This is not just a target. It is a call to action for government, land managers, farmers and communities to work together to secure the natural systems that underpin a healthy, resilient and prosperous country. 

You can submit land to contribute to 30by30 on a voluntary basis. This guidance is for landowners, land managers and partner organisations. It explains the:

• criteria that land must meet to contribute to England’s 30by30 target
• process for assessing and reporting land against the target

This guidance applies to land and inland water in England within the mean low water mark. There are separate approaches to the delivery of 30by30 at sea, and in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will review this guidance periodically and update as needed to provide further clarity on how land can contribute towards the 30by30 target. 

Eligibility for land contributing towards 30by30

As well as checking the eligibility requirements, you can answer 4 initial screening questions to find out if an area is likely to be suitable for 30by30:

• Is there a purpose or management objective to conserve biodiversity within the area?

• Is the area free from activities or uses which are unsuitable for 30by30 areas?

• Does the area contain wildlife-rich habitat, or is action taking place to create or restore wildlife-rich habitat?

• Is there an intention to ensure conservation in this area for at least 20 years?

Find out more about these screening questions in the section Stage 1: Initial screening questions.

30by30 criteria

There are 3 criteria that land needs to meet to qualify for 30by30. The land must deliver real benefits for nature, and have clear: 

• purpose
• protection
• management

The criteria are outlined in full in the section Criteria for 30by30 on land in England.

These criteria provide a clear and consistent standard for land contributing towards 30by30 in England, both within and beyond protected areas. They are designed to ensure that land counted towards the target is genuinely delivering for nature, is being effectively conserved and managed, and will continue to do so over the long term, as set out in Target 3 of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework.

Type of land that can count towards 30by30

30by30 is not limited to formally designated sites. Any land that meets the criteria can count towards 30by30 either as protected areas or as other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).

For the purposes of 30by30 on land in England, protected areas include:

• sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
• national nature reserves (NNRs)
• Ramsar sites
• special areas of conservation (SACs)
• special protection areas (SPAs)
• National Parks
• National Landscapes
• the Broads

OECMs are areas that are achieving the long-term and effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of protected areas. This recognises that land outside designations is just as important for nature when it is effectively managed for the long term.

Regardless of whether it is a protected area or OECM, land must meet all 3 of the criteria to be able to contribute towards 30by30 and will be referred to as a ‘30by30 area’.

Biodiversity outcomes

30by30 areas must make progress towards biodiversity outcomes. This means the effective management, creation, or restoration of natural or semi-natural habitats so species can thrive in their natural settings.

In England, this is best achieved and demonstrated through managing, restoring or creating wildlife-rich habitat at scale. When promoting natural processes, the precise habitat type that will develop may be unknown. 30by30 allows for the reporting of dynamic mosaics of wildlife-rich habitats that can develop through the restoration of natural processes and ecosystems.

Areas should support the conservation of the important biodiversity values that have been internationally identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as central to 30by30. These are: 

• rare, threatened or endangered species and ecosystems
• natural ecosystems that are under-represented in protected area networks
• high level of ecological integrity or intactness
• significant populations or extent of endemic or range-restricted species or ecosystems
• important species aggregations, such as spawning, breeding or feeding areas
• importance for ecological connectivity, as part of a network of sites in a larger area

Some limited artificial habitats (such as reservoirs) may also be eligible if they perform an ecological function equivalent to a natural habitat, including supporting similar species assemblages.

30by30 areas should be able to demonstrate overall progress towards in-situ biodiversity outcomes, with confidence that these will be achieved. These outcomes may be taking place alongside and supporting the delivery of wider objectives such as food production.

Proportion of land that must meet the criteria

Areas contributing to the 30by30 target could be:

• an entire landholding or estate 

• a section or part of a wider landholding or estate 
• a cluster of individual, connected areas across multiple landholdings or estates, which are working together to deliver in-situ conservation and so could be considered as a single area 

The whole area you submit for assessment should meet the criteria.

There can be exceptions for small parts of an area that do not fully meet all criteria. These may still be compatible if they make a demonstrable contribution to biodiversity outcomes including the ecological integrity of the wider area. For example, land that supports grazing management, public engagement or site functionality. However, the area must not include any unsuitable land uses or activities. For more information, read the section Criterion 1: Purpose. 

As a benchmark, some international operational guidance and assessment tools require at least three quarters of the site to be delivering biodiversity outcomes. However, we are avoiding setting a fixed threshold because the ultimate priority is that the area as a whole works as a system to deliver biodiversity outcomes.

Size and boundaries

There is no minimum or maximum size for 30by30 areas, and these areas do not have to be contiguous.

However, the whole 30by30 area should have a defined boundary, have a shared strategy or management approach and be functioning as a network to deliver biodiversity outcomes. For example, hedgerows, verges and arable field margins are most likely to contribute to 30by30 as part of a wider mosaic rather than as standalone features. They may also count where they provide connectivity at scale, such as verges of wildlife-rich habitat along railway tracks.

Local priorities and connectivity

The 30by30 on land: Delivery plan highlights that 30by30 is not simply about meeting a target. It’s about building momentum, increasing visibility and driving wider community engagement in nature recovery across the country.

When considering land for 30by30, you should consider how it supports local priorities and wider nature recovery objectives, rather than assessing it in isolation. This will help land contributing to 30by30 to form part of a joined-up network of places being effectively managed for nature. This can help improve ecological connectivity across landscapes.

For example, you should consider:

• local nature recovery strategies
• National Park and National Landscape management plans
• wider frameworks and plans for nature recovery and land use

Local nature recovery strategies set local priorities for nature recovery and environmental improvement. They propose action for achieving them through a locally-led, collaborative and consistent process that involves local communities and organisations. These strategies already identify locations where nature recovery would have more impact, including through connecting, buffering and expanding areas of existing importance for biodiversity to encourage the creation of more robust and resilient habitat networks.

National Park and National Landscape management plans are partnership documents shaped with communities and stakeholders that set out a shared, long-term vision for managing and improving the whole landscape.

Defra will explore how information on 30by30 areas can be shared with local nature recovery strategy responsible authorities and protected landscapes teams. This will enable connectivity, inform balanced land use decisions and help to target action where it can have the greatest impact for nature.

Tiered approach

Land will progress through a tiered framework which reflects both its current status and its potential to contribute towards 30by30. This includes:

• Bronze tier – land delivering wider benefits for nature, and which can support connectivity between 30by30 areas
• Silver tier – land that has passed the initial screening threshold and is progressing towards meeting the 30by30 criteria
• Gold tier – land that fully meets the 30by30 criteria and can be formally counted towards the target

The tiered approach recognises that nature recovery happens across whole landscapes. If your area does not yet meet the full 30by30 criteria, it can still play an important role in supporting biodiversity. You can find out more about the tiered approach in 30by30 on land: Delivery plan.

Bronze tier

Bronze tier recognises that all land can contribute to nature recovery. It includes areas where actions are being taken to improve outcomes for nature, even where those areas have not been assessed against the 30by30 criteria.

Bronze areas do not count towards England’s official 30by30 figure. However, these areas can play an important role in supporting ecological connectivity and some will contribute to other biodiversity targets such as species abundance.

If your area is in Bronze tier, you could consider what further actions could improve biodiversity outcomes and strengthen its contribution to nature recovery. This may help the area progress through the 30by30 tiers in future.

Silver tier

An area enters Silver tier when it passes the initial screening questions for 30by30.

If your area enters Silver tier, you should complete a full assessment against the 30by30 criteria.

Where an assessment identifies gaps, the area can remain in the pipeline while action is taken to address them. Defra Group and delivery partners will use information from the pipeline to identify opportunities for advice and support that could help your area progress towards Gold tier.

Gold tier

Gold includes areas that fully meet all the 30by30 criteria. Areas in Gold tier count towards England’s official contribution to the global 30by30 target. They represent places where biodiversity outcomes are being secured through effective management and long-term protection.

If your area is in Gold tier, you should continue to manage, monitor and protect it so that it continues to meet the 30by30 criteria over the long term. Defra Group and delivery partners will use information from the Gold tier to support you to do this.

Assessment process

An area must be assessed against the 3 criteria to contribute towards 30by30. This includes land within protected areas. This process is designed to help you understand whether your land qualifies, and what steps may be needed to meet the standard.

There are 2 types of assessment:

• central assessment – led by Defra Group, using data already held within government and its delivery bodies to identify and assess land that may contribute towards 30by30
• partner assessment – led by landowners, land managers or partner organisations, who bring forward areas for assessment against the criteria with oversight by Defra Group

Central assessment

In some cases, Defra Group will assess areas centrally.  They will use existing data sources to identify and assess potential 30by30 areas.

Landowners, land managers and partner organisations are not required to submit information to inform the central assessment. This approach is designed to minimise the burden on the delivery community while still ensuring the necessary consents are obtained.

The central assessment will consider records held centrally, which will include:

• SSSIs – the existing monitoring regime for Protected Sites means that SSSIs in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition can be assessed as contributing towards 30by30
• NNRs – these are recorded centrally, as their primary purpose is to manage land for nature and are expected to meet a high management standard
• Defra-funded schemes designed to support 30by30 delivery, such as Landscape Recovery projects – these will be assessed and recorded centrally by Defra group where the appropriate consents are obtained

SSSIs not in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition will not be centrally assessed as counting towards 30by30. You can include them in partner assessments should you chose to do so and they will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Partner assessment

As a landowner, land manager or partner organisation, you can submit areas for assessment against the 30by30 criteria through the partner assessment process.

Land may be owned, occupied and managed by different people or organisations. You must make sure that anyone with responsibility for the area is aware of and supports the assessment. If you are not the sole owner or manager, you must seek the support of relevant parties before submitting an assessment. 

There are 3 stages to the assessment process:

1. Screening questions – an initial check to see if an area is likely to meet the criteria
2. Full criteria assessment – a self-assessment against the 3 criteria (purpose, protection and management)
3. Defra Group assurance – Defra Group reviews the assessment and confirms whether the area can contribute towards 30by30

Figure 1: How the partner assessment relates to the tiered approach

Figure 1 shows how the partner assessment relates to the tiered approach.

The first step is for the landowner, manager or partner to consider whether the area is delivering positive outcomes for nature. If the answer is ‘no’, the area is considered unsuitable for inclusion in 30by30. 

If the area is delivering positive outcomes for nature, it is considered part of the Bronze tier. 

The next step is to consider whether it meets the initial screening threshold. If the screening threshold is met, the area enters the Silver tier.

It then proceeds to a full assessment against the 30by30 criteria. If the area:

• meets the criteria in full, it enters the Gold tier
• does not meet the criteria in full but the necessary improvements are likely to be achievable, it remains in the Silver tier while those improvements are made and the area is reassessed
• does not meet the criteria in full necessary improvements and are unlikely to be achievable, the area reverts to the Bronze tier

Stage 1: Screening questions

Defra has created 4 initial screening questions to help you check if your area is likely to meet the 30by30 criteria, before you undertake a full assessment.

This is a self-assessment and the results of this screening do not pre-empt the results of a full assessment against the criteria. Instead, the screening questions are designed as an initial check to support landowners and land managers in deciding whether to proceed to a full assessment. Areas that meet all the screening questions are likely to have a strong basis for progressing, while those that do not may still have potential to contribute in future with further action.

Is there a purpose or management objective to conserve biodiversity within the area?

The area should be seeking to maintain or enhance biodiversity, but this may not be the primary or sole purpose of the area.

Is the area free from activities or uses which are unsuitable for 30by30 areas?

Unsuitable uses or activities could include:

• built-up areas (except minor developments such as car parks, visitor centres, or operational buildings)
• intensive farming or aquaculture
• intensive commercial forestry plantations
• active mining or oil or gas extraction
• major infrastructure, for example motorways, A-roads or active railway lines
• waste uses, such as landfill
• land where contamination or heavy modification prevents biodiversity outcomes

The Office for National Statistics defines built-up areas as land which is ‘irreversibly urban in character’, meaning that they are characteristic of a town or city. This should not exclude areas managed for biodiversity within urban areas, where they meet the criteria.

Intensive farming and intensive commercial forestry refer to land uses that are heavily modified for commercial production and do not support natural or semi-natural habitats.

Major infrastructure refers to any nationally significant infrastructure project as defined in the Planning Act 2008.

Does the area contain wildlife-rich habitat, or is action taking place to create or restore wildlife-rich habitat?

The list of wildlife-rich habitats is included in the guidance accompanying the Environment Act Habitat Target (table 2).

Sites that combine these habitats into a field level mosaic are encouraged. For example, incorporating an element of scrub into grassland creation.

These types of proposals are valuable to wildlife and can increase resilience to climate change. 

Is there an intention to ensure conservation in this area for at least 20 years?

This seeks confirmation of the intention to ensure long-term conservation. Further detail of mechanisms to ensure this longer-term protection forms part of the full assessment.

After answering the screening questions

If you answer ‘yes’ to all 4 questions, your area enters the 30by30 pipeline (Silver tier).  You should complete a full assessment against the 30by30 criteria.

If you do not answer ‘yes’ to all 4 questions, you should not immediately proceed to a full assessment.  Instead, consider what actions could help your area meet the screening questions or otherwise improves biodiversity outcomes. Many areas may be able to progress towards 30by30 over time through habitat creation or restoration, changes to management, or stronger long-term protection arrangements.

Stage 2: Full criteria assessment

You should complete the assessment using the 30by30 assessment form.

The form is designed to guide you through the assessment and ensure information is submitted in a consistent format. It includes set fields and dropdown options where appropriate.

Each row in the form represents one candidate 30by30 area. If you are assessing more than one area, add additional rows to the same form.

For each area, you should:

• complete all required fields in the assessment form
• provide short explanations where prompted to show how the area meets the criteria
• reference and attach the required supporting evidence
• provide corresponding spatial data for each area in a spatial file (or files), ensuring that each boundary has a unique identifier that matches the unique identifier of the corresponding row in the spreadsheet

Submitting your assessment

Once you have completed the assessment:

• save your completed assessment form
• identify the required supporting documents
• identify the relevant spatial data files in a recognised format such as a shapefile, file geodatabase or geopackage
• email all materials to: Nature.Recovery.Data@defra.gov.uk

You should submit supporting evidence at the same time as your assessment, wherever possible. This will help Defra Group review your application more quickly and reduce the need for follow-up. If you do not upload evidence, you may receive a request to submit your evidence by email.

If your spatial files are too large to send by email, you can email Nature.Recovery.Data@defra.gov.uk to arrange an alternative method of submission.

Stage 3: Defra Group assurance

After you submit your assessment, Defra Group will review it to confirm whether the area qualifies to contribute towards 30by30. We will send you the decision by email.

Areas are not formally counted towards 30by30 until the application has been approved. 

If your area does not meet the 30by30 criteria

If an area does not currently meet all the 30by30 criteria, it will remain within the 30by30 pipeline (Silver tier). This recognises areas that do not yet meet all criteria but have potential to do so following additional action. The pipeline should help to ensure that advice and support can be targeted to areas with potential to meet the 30by30 criteria, delivering the improvement needed to enable the area to contribute towards the target.

If your area meets the 30by30 criteria

If an area meets the 30by30 criteria, it will enter the Gold tier.

Defra Group will report and record an area as contributing towards England’s 30by30 commitment. This will include mapping the area as part of progress towards the global 30by30 target.  Defra Group will supply data to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). JNCC will then report it to United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), which will publish it on the relevant 30by30 international reporting databases. You can choose to only display point data for your area – rather than its boundaries – in the public UNEP-WCMC database.

Defra Group will review areas at appropriate intervals to make sure they still meet the criteria. You must tell Defra Group if changes occur that may affect the delivery of in-situ biodiversity outcomes. Areas will be withdrawn from the 30by30 target if they are no longer delivering biodiversity outcomes.

As contributing to the 30by30 target is voluntary, Defra Group will also ensure landowners or land managers can choose to withdraw their areas.  The 30by30 criterion for protection is designed to give confidence that, even where areas are withdrawn from formally counting towards 30by30 target, they are likely to still be delivering biodiversity outcomes in long term. 

We will continue to refine the assessment, submission and review process to ensure it is effective for applicants while providing confidence in the areas reported as contributing towards 30by30 on land in England. We will also update this guidance as needed.

Wider nature recovery reporting

Consistent data on nature recovery actions is important for understanding progress towards 30by30 and wider nature recovery targets.

The data requirements set out in this guidance and the 30by30 assessment form are aligned with the Defra Group Nature Recovery Action Data Model and Standard. This helps data owners to collect consistent information, and enables the data to be collected once and then used for multiple purposes.

Defra plans to publish a version of the standard in the future. In the meantime, if you want to report your contribution to wider biodiversity targets at the same time as submitting an area to contribute to 30by30, you can request a copy of the standard by emailing Nature.Recovery.Data@defra.gov.uk.

Criteria for 30by30 on land in England

The criteria for 30by30 are set out below, along with guidance on how an area can meet each criterion.

The criteria are summarised by key metric questions, which Defra Group will use to assess whether the criteria are met.

Criterion 1: Purpose

The purpose criterion ensures that an area is intended to deliver in‑situ biodiversity conservation outcomes. This means the area has a clear purpose or management objective to conserve or enhance biodiversity, either as a primary objective or alongside other compatible uses.

This recognises that land is often managed for multiple purposes or management objectives, while still supporting in-situ conservation.

As 30by30 areas may be supporting multiple purposes, it is not necessary for the area to only contain wildlife-rich habitat. However, this should represent a significant majority of the area.

Key metric:

Will the purposes or management objectives for this area ensure the delivery of in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes?

What is required

30by30 areas should be able to demonstrate that their purposes or management objectives will ensure the delivery of in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes.

The area’s purposes should include in-situ conservation, but this does not need to be its only or primary purpose. However, any other purposes must be compatible with 30by30 and appropriately managed so they do not prevent or significantly limit the delivery of in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes.

What compatible use means

To meet this criterion, all of an area’s purposes need to be considered. An area could aim to deliver in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes as an ancillary purpose a wider project or network. However, the other objectives of the area must not conflict with conservation to the extent that activities would undermine the achievement of overall positive outcomes for biodiversity in the long term.

For example, areas used for industrial exploitation of natural resources such as mining or gas extraction will generally not qualify for 30by30. This is because of the impacts on the natural ecosystem and depletion of biodiversity. Productive conifer woodlands are unlikely to contribute to 30by30 because they are typically dense plantations of non-native species felled for timber. Intensive farming practices are also unlikely to be compatible with 30by30 due to reduction in wildlife rich habitat and the impacts of agrochemicals. Measures to improve compatibility with 30by30 could include limiting the frequency or scale of activities that are detrimental to biodiversity outcomes, or prioritising in-situ conservation over other purposes.

Land may contain activities within its boundaries that are not directly contributing to in-situ conservation but are not conflicting with conservation. These activities would be compatible with 30by30. Examples include low-intensity production, such as sustainable agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing practices, depending on context, scale and configuration. This may include land that meets the standards for low or no input grassland or farmland providing sufficient year-round resources for farm wildlife.

Native woodland managed at low intensity for production, including coppice and continuous cover, may contribute where it supports native woodland communities. This could extend to ride networks, glades, water courses within non-native forestry plantations, and natural regeneration. However, these would need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Access, education, research, heritage, tourism or outdoor recreation may also be considered compatible. This may include some limited infrastructure such as visitor centres, car parks and food and beverage facilities where appropriately managed to be compatible with delivery of biodiversity outcomes.

What type of land is likely to meet the purpose criterion

Protected sites and nature reserves are designated for the purpose of in-situ conservation, although they may have additional purposes. Protected sites include:

• SSSIs
• SACs
• SPAs
• NNRs
• Ramsar sites

Much land within protected landscapes (National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads) will meet the purpose criterion. However, these areas will only contribute towards 30by30 where they also meet the protection and management criteria.

Land outside protected areas may not be primarily managed for nature conservation purposes, but conservation may be occurring through a secondary objective or as a by-product of management (ancillary conservation). These areas may be delivering important ecosystem functions and services, such as water regulation or recreation benefits. 

Recognition as a 30by30 area does not impose any additional management obligations onto an area or landowner. It simply recognises where sufficient protections and management are already in place. 

Examples of sites that could meet the purpose criterion include:

• an area where in-situ conservation is the primary purpose, such as an SSSI, local nature reserve, or privately owned nature reserve

• an area that is managed for both in-situ conservation and food production, which employs low intensity production systems (such as farming that provides sufficient year-round resources for wildlife) and limits the extent of this farming activity

• areas managed primarily for public recreation, which are large enough and sufficiently natural to effectively deliver in-situ conservation of biodiversity and are delivering important ecosystem services – for example, wetlands or wild grasslands
• land controlled by military institutions where the overarching purpose is defence, but where specific portions of land are managed for the conservation of biodiversity
• areas that contribute to conservation because of their role in connecting protected areas and other areas of importance for the conservation of biodiversity

Examples of land unlikely to meet the purpose criterion include:

• forests managed commercially for non-native conifer timber supply or using clear-fell systems, even where they have some conservation value – these areas may be more appropriate for contributing to Global Biodiversity Framework Target 10
• agricultural land managed in a way that limits in-situ conservation of biodiversity – for example, intensive grazing of native grassland or replanted grassland with monocultures or non-native species for livestock production
• areas with temporary conservation agreements and areas that are used for offsets without clear governance arrangements or conservation objectives

Evidence of purpose

You could use evidence such as the following to demonstrate this criterion is met:

• a management plan, agreement, or other statement of management objectives for the area
• relevant environmental funding schemes, accreditations or certifications that demonstrate a commitment to delivering long term in-situ conservation – for example, biodiversity net gain, Landscape Recovery projects, relevant environmental land management schemes, conservation covenants, species recovery programmes or peatland grant schemes
• designation or declaration as a protected site or nature reserve

Assessment questions about purpose

In the 30by30 assessment form, you will need to answer the following questions:

• Will in-situ conservation be a primary or ancillary purpose or management objective in this area?
• If ancillary, provide more information on how in-situ conservation is a purpose or management objective in this area.

Criterion 2: Protection

The protection criterion ensures that an area is secured for the long term so that biodiversity outcomes can be sustained. This means there are legal or other effective mechanisms in place to protect the area from activities that could damage its biodiversity value.

This criterion recognises the role that long-term management objectives and commitments can play in securing long-term conservation. In combination with the management criterion, this will ensure that management is being planned, implemented, and reviewed effectively, to deliver towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes. 

Key metric:

Is the conservation of this area secured for at least 20 years, through legal or other effective means?

What is required

To meet this criterion, the governance or ownership of an area must show both:

• sufficient management control
• the intention or obligation to deliver towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes for that area for the long term

This means that those responsible for managing an area can take the action necessary to deliver in-situ conservation in that area and are expected to do so for the long term.

For the purposes of 30by30, long term means a minimum of 20 years. However, 20 years is a minimum, and in‑situ conservation should be secured for as long as possible.

30by30 areas should be able to demonstrate that the area will be protected against loss or damage to biodiversity, through legal or other effective means. This could include protected area designations, conservation covenants, long-term ownership and relevant long-term management obligations. 

How protection is assessed

Protection is assessed using a points-based system. Different types of protection measures contribute points, and an area must reach a minimum threshold to meet the criterion. Individual measures may not provide sufficient levels of protection on their own, but they can be combined to provide the level of long-term security needed.

Protection measures are divided into 3 groups (A, B and C), based on how many points they contribute. 

Areas receive points for each relevant measure, and this may include multiple measures under each group.

To meet the protection criterion an area must:

• score a minimum of 3 points
• include at least 1 point from Group A or Group B – areas scoring all 3 points from Group C alone will not meet the protection standard

An area may have different sections covered by different measures. For example, only part of an area might be covered by a Local Wildlife Site or an agri-environment agreement.

To ensure the total area counted meets the standard, points should be collected based on the part of the area with the least protection. This does not apply if that part makes up less than 25% of the site. 

If the least protected parts make up less than 25% of the total area, or if there are very small parts of the total area that do not meet the criteria, these do not need to be factored into the overall points scoring. This only applies where they do not have a significant negative impact on overall biodiversity conservation objectives of the area. You should still note these areas on the 30by30 assessment form.

Group A (3 points) includes:

• designation as an SSSI, SPA, SAC, or NNR
• land secured by contract or covenant for biodiversity net gain or long-term nutrient pollution mitigation, or otherwise subject to a conservation covenant or section 106 agreement (a planning obligation under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) that ensures in-situ conservation for at least 20 years
• inclusion within a Landscape Recovery project, or subject to an agri-environment agreement or other formal management agreement that will deliver in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes, for more than 20 years in total

Group B (2 points) includes:

• local nature reserve status
• land secured for the long-term delivery of carbon credits and accredited under the Woodland Carbon Code or Peatland Code
• ability to demonstrate a history of delivering in-situ conservation for at least 20 years, for example through relevant agri-environment agreements
• land owned by an organisation that includes management for biodiversity outcomes in its statute or missions, such as Natural England, Protected Landscape bodies or environmental non-governmental organisations (eNGOs) and community groups
• an agri-environment agreement or other formal management agreement that will deliver in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes, for a total of 10 to 20 years

Agri-environment agreements can be considered here where they are delivering the management, creation or restoration of habitat. This recognises the protection offered by these agreements, particularly those which total 20 years or more.

Group C (1 point) includes:

• in permanent ownership and managed in hand, or subject to a long-term tenancy agreement with at least 20 years remaining
• Local Wildlife Site status (for example, County Wildlife Sites and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation), or located within a protected landscape (National Park or National Landscape)
• inclusion within a nature recovery project or active project areas within landscape-scale partnerships for nature conservation, including national forests, Big Chalk, and Great North Bog
• within scope of the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024
• accredited country park status
• Wildlife Farms and Estates
• irreplaceable habitat, or habitat within scope of Environmental Impact Assessment regulations
• land declared as inalienable
• land with other forms of protections such as heritage, public rights of way and coastal margins, where there is evidence of a focus on in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes
• a formal statement of intent, management objective, duty, or equivalent, to deliver and sustain in-situ conservation in the area for at least 20 years

Defra Group will review and update the list as our evidence base grows and more areas go through the 30by30 assessment process. This is in recognition that protection is nuanced.

What type of land is likely to meet the protection criterion

Examples of land that could meet this criterion include:

1. A local nature reserve (2 points) in permanent ownership by an individual or organisation and managed in hand (1 point), with a formal commitment to long-term in-situ conservation included within the area’s management plan (1 point).
2. An area managed under a 10-year tenancy agreement, but in partnership with the landowner who has made a commitment to deliver long-term in-situ conservation in the area (1 point) and who can demonstrate a history of delivering in-situ conservation in the area for the past 20 years through agri-environment schemes (2 points).
3. An area designated as an SSSI (3 points).

While this criterion focuses on long-term agreements and commitments, land under short-term tenancy agreements can still contribute towards 30by30. Tenants should be able to meet this criterion by working in partnership with the landowner.

Evidence of protection

You could use evidence such as the following to demonstrate this criterion is met:

• management plans, agreements, or other statement of intent or duty to deliver and sustain in-situ conservation for at least 20 years
• conservation covenants
• inclusion on the biodiversity net gain off-site register, deeds of ownership
• long-term tenancy agreements
• records of active or past agri-environment agreements
• designation or declaration as a protected area or nature reserve
• relevant accreditations or certification that represent a long-term commitment to in-situ conservation

Assessment questions about protection

In the 30by30 assessment form, you will need to answer the following questions:

• Based on the part of the area with the least protection, unless that area constitutes less than 25% of the site, which of the following protections apply? The protections will be those in Group A, B and C above.
• Provide any further information on how the conservation of this area is secured for the long-term, through legal or other effective means.

Criterion 3: Management

The management criterion ensures that an area is actively and effectively managed to deliver in‑situ biodiversity conservation outcomes. This means there are clear plans in place, actions are being implemented, and progress is monitored over time.

Key metrics: 

• Does the area’s governance or ownership have the ability to implement reasonable management actions to achieve in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes?
• Is there a management plan or similar that is designed to deliver in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes?  
• Is there appropriate monitoring, evaluation and learning in place to assess progress on the implementation of management measures to inform future management? 
• Is the area achieving, or making progress towards, in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes, with reasonable confidence that these outcomes will be achieved?  

What is required

30by30 areas should be effectively managed and able to demonstrate overall progress towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes. Land managers are encouraged to consider how their management may help to support naturally functioning ecosystems.

Management should provide confidence that governance or ownership of the area has the authority and capacity to achieve and sustain these outcomes. Management mechanisms should identify, implement and prioritise the delivery of in-situ conservation. Monitoring should be in place to identify baselines and assess progress. 

Day-to-day management can vary between areas. However, the main requirements for effective management must be in place to deliver in-situ conservation. These are described below.

Planning requirements

There should be a management plan in place for the area, with a clear timescale and spatial scope. This may consist of multiple documents or formats, and there may be different plans for specific parts of an area.

The plan should state clear objectives for the management of the area, including objectives to deliver in-situ conservation. For example, the creation or restoration of particular habitats, species, or ecological functions and processes.

Where there is an objective for single-species management, such as restoring curlew populations, the intention should be to deliver or support this through actions that will benefit the wider ecosystem.

In-situ conservation objectives can take many forms and may be focused on either outcomes or actions. Some may objectives may be short-term, lasting less than 20 years. However, planning should indicate a long-term focus, for example through the management plan having a vision at least 20 years.

Management plans should confirm how progress towards these objectives will be measured, and opportunities for reporting and review.

Where relevant, management plans should identify threats to biodiversity within the area, such as invasive species. Management plans should consider any important biodiversity values already contained within the area and minimise harm or damage to these. They should set out measures that will be taken to prevent or limit the impacts of these risks on progress towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes. This may include the need for adaptive management for climate change impacts.

Progress towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes may be affected by off-site pressures, such as upstream pollution of watercourses.  Where onsite management alone is not enough to relieve these off-site pressures, effective management is expected to include efforts to address them. For example, by engaging with catchment management partnerships and plans.  You will be asked to indicate in the 30by30 assessment form if off-site impacts are significantly impacting in situ-conservation as more detailed review may be needed.

Implementation requirements

Management activities should be implemented, or in the process of being implemented, to make progress towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes.

Monitoring requirements

There should be a planned and ongoing programme of ecological monitoring within the area to demonstrate that biodiversity outcomes are being maintained or enhanced over time. This is fundamental to 30by30’s focus on delivering measurable and long-term biodiversity outcomes.

The nature and frequency of this monitoring should be appropriate for the area’s in-situ conservation objectives. This means that monitoring activities may vary between areas. However, monitoring should be sufficient to indicate the status of biodiversity in an area, and the impact of management activities.

This guidance is deliberately not prescriptive. Where monitoring is already in place, that approach should be used wherever it is suitable. For example, this could be within a protected area or as part of an existing scheme. 30by30 should build on existing monitoring requirements rather than duplicate them.

Monitoring should provide a clear picture of whether the area is continuing to conserve biodiversity over the long term. In practice, this means establishing a baseline understanding of the site’s habitats, species and ecological processes, and then tracking changes over time.

Monitoring programmes may cover a range of elements where relevant, including:

• the condition and trends of important habitats and species
• the effectiveness of conservation actions and management practices
• current and emerging pressures or threats
• governance and management arrangements that influence outcomes

Approaches to monitoring should be proportionate and make best use of available knowledge. A combination of methods is often appropriate. For example, bringing together scientific surveys, local knowledge, citizen science, and information from those managing the land.

Monitoring may be carried out by landowners or land managers or supported by partner organisations or volunteers. However, responsibility for monitoring should be clearly identified, and information should be recorded and retained in a way that supports transparency, learning and reporting.

Monitoring should be carried out regularly. The frequency should be determined by the sensitivity of the site and the level of risk or change. For example, areas under active pressure may require more frequent monitoring, while more stable systems may be monitored less often.

Overall, monitoring should provide confidence that biodiversity values are being maintained or enhanced and enable early identification of issues so that timely action can be taken.

Outcome requirements

There should be evidence that the area has achieved or is making progress towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes. This should include evidence collected through ecological monitoring.

This may be challenging to demonstrate, particularly for newly established projects. In these cases, evidence of biodiversity conservation actions implemented can also be considered.

We recognise that progress towards achieving outcomes will likely vary across larger areas, between habitats and over time. There may also be setbacks or natural fluctuations. Ultimately, areas should be able to demonstrate overall progress towards in-situ biodiversity conservation outcomes and provide confidence that these outcomes will be achieved.

Evaluation requirements

Monitoring is not just about collecting data. There should be a process in place to evaluate and learn from monitoring. Results should be reviewed and used to inform decisions, allowing management approaches to be adapted where needed to maintain or improve biodiversity outcomes over time.

30by30 recognises that delivering biodiversity outcomes requires a long-term commitment of at least 20 years. Throughout this period, land managers should build in regular reviews  to ensure management plans are updated in response to evidence from monitoring and data on outcomes.

Landowners must inform Defra Group if changes occur which may affect delivery of biodiversity outcomes.

Evidence of management

You can use inclusion in some government led schemes as evidence for this criterion, where they require effective management for in-situ conservation as part of the funding agreement. This could include:

• biodiversity net gain
• agri-environment schemes
• woodland schemes

Areas delivering biodiversity net gain are recognised as meeting the management criterion if both:

• a long-term habitat management and monitoring plan is in place
• the area contains or work is underway to deliver habitat of medium distinctiveness or higher, and good condition or higher

Many agri-environment agreements deliver the management, creation or restoration of habitat. Where they are delivering in-situ conservation outcomes, they could be considered as evidence to meet the 30by30 management criterion. This includes many agreements under the Higher-Level Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship schemes, as well as land included within Landscape Recovery projects. Where these agreements and projects are longer-term, they could also demonstrate that an area meets the protection criterion. This does not exclude other agri-environment schemes and agreements, such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive, from contributing towards 30by30. For example, by delivering activities compatible with the purpose criterion.

A range of woodland schemes and agreements will also meet the 30by30 management criterion. This primarily includes agreements delivering native or predominantly native broadleaf woodland, and those maintaining or establishing more open habitats, or habitats beneath the tree canopy. Where these agreements are longer-term, they could also demonstrate that an area meets the protection criterion. This does not exclude other types of woodland, or woodland management, from contributing towards 30by30. For example, by delivering activities compatible the purpose criterion.

You could also use management regimes to demonstrate that this criterion is met. Evidence could include:

• landscape and ecology management plan (LEMP)
• habitat management and monitoring plan, which primarily focuses on management of biodiversity net gain units
• ecological management plan (EMP)
• construction ecological management plan (CEMP)

You could also use the following as evidence:

• records of management or monitoring activities implemented
• progress reviews or reports
• monitoring plans
• data collected through monitoring
• agreements with external partners to support management or monitoring
• biodiversity net gain baseline assessments, natural capital assessments, or similar surveys

You could consider completing a formal management effectiveness assessment, such as JNCC’s Management Effectiveness of Protected and Conserved Areas Indicator. This would be sufficient to demonstrate that an area meets this criterion.

Assessment questions about management

In the 30by30 assessment form, you will need to answer the following questions:

• Is there a management framework in place for the project area?
• What year is the current version of the management framework valid until?
• When did the management framework for this area begin?
• Is there a programme of ecological monitoring taking place across this area?
• Is there a process to evaluate and learn from monitoring data to assess progress towards in-situ conservation objectives and inform future management?
• Is the project area on track or making overall progress towards in-situ biodiversity outcomes?
• Is the majority of the 30by30 area affected by significant off-site impacts?
• Provide any additional information for how the area will be effectively managed and able to demonstrate delivery towards biodiversity outcomes.

Appendix A: 30by30 case studies

Lound Lakes County Wildlife Site

Lound Lakes is a County Wildlife Site located near Great Yarmouth. The site is 114 hectares in size and situated on land owned by Northumbrian Water Ltd (NWL). The site comprises the lakes themselves as well as the surrounding lowland dry acid grassland, which includes a mosaic of fen, reedbed and woodland habitats. The lakes are managed by NWL, while the surrounding habitats are managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust with a warden funded by NWL. The County Wildlife Site is part of a wider landholding owned by NWL, which also includes the Lound Treatment Works and some additional grassland and woodland areas.

The habitats surrounding the lakes are managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust for the purposes of in-situ conservation, and to maintain water quality and supply within the lakes. These purposes are complementary, as healthy habitats provide a buffering function for the lakes. Additional objectives include recreation and education. The lakes themselves are active reservoirs and managed separately by NWL, for water quality and supply. These comprise around 20% of the County Wildlife Site area.

A 10-year management plan has been in place since 2014. However, this relates to the habitats surrounding the lakes, not the lakes themselves. This is currently being reviewed and updated for the next 10 years. The existing plan contains a 50-year vision to increase the site’s biodiversity and public appreciation.

The site management plan aims to maintain or improve the condition of the habitats surrounding the lakes, as part of a 50-year vision. Management is actively implemented, delivered by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and a thorough programme of regular and ad hoc ecological monitoring is used to assess progress and inform future management. This includes a biodiversity net gain assessment in 2023, showing the majority of habitats already in moderate or good condition. Management is periodically reviewed and adapted, and the management plan is currently being rewritten on this basis. This management plan does not cover the lakes, although these are also actively managed and monitored for water quality and support important aquatic plant species.

Lound Lakes County Wildlife Site is an example of an area that is likely to meet the 30by30 criteria, supported by publication of the updated management plan for 2024 to 2034. To further strengthen this, more could be understood around the management and biodiversity of the lakes themselves, which comprise a significant portion of the site.

Dothill and Shawbirch Local Nature Reserve

The Dothill and Shawbirch Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is located in Telford in Shropshire. The reserve is owned and managed by Telford and Wrekin Council, in partnership with the Friends of Dothill volunteer group. The total size of the reserve is 54 hectares, supporting varied and rich habitats such as ponds, woodland and grassland.

The reserve is managed for the purpose of conserving the habitats and species contained in the area. There is management in place to ensure that additional objectives for community access and education don’t compromise biodiversity outcomes.

Dothill LNR was declared in 2016 and extended to form Dothill and Shawbirch LNR in 2023. Part of the reserve is also a Local Wildlife Site. The area is owned and managed by Telford and Wrekin council for the purposes described above, and there is a history of biodiversity conservation being delivered within the area. The site is also marked as an important green space in the local plan. Part of the area has already been legally secured to deliver and sustain a biodiversity uplift through a ‘section 106 agreement’, and there are plans to add the whole area to the biodiversity net gain register and legally secure uplifts across the wider site.

The reserve is covered by a management plan that is reviewed every 5 years, and which includes a specific objective to maintain the balance of habitats and increase species diversity with the reserve. Management is supported by the Friends of Dothill volunteer group, and recent works include pond restoration and maintenance. There is regular ecological monitoring which takes place, including target species and vegetation surveys. This monitoring is used to inform future management, and also shows that management is effectively conserving the habitats and species contained in the area, including great crested newts. A baseline survey for biodiversity net gain has also been completed. Once legally secured for biodiversity net gain, a habitat management and monitoring plan will need to be developed and implemented for the site, with management supported by the future sales of biodiversity credits.

Dothill and Shawbirch LNR is an example of an area that is likely to meet the 30by30 criteria. This highlights the important role that local communities can play in supporting 30by30, and the potential for biodiversity outcomes to be delivered alongside access and recreation.

Appendix B: Glossary

Accredited country park

A country park comprising at least 10 hectares of natural or semi-natural landscape accredited by Natural England for meeting high standards of visitor facilities, accessibility, and environmental management. Read the accreditation criteria.

Agri-environment agreement

Defra’s agri-environment schemes provide funding for farmers and land managers in England to deliver environmental benefits alongside food production. The primary schemes currently operating are the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship (CS), and Landscape Recovery.

Biodiversity net gain

Biodiversity net gain is an approach to development. It makes sure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development.

In England, biodiversity net gain was mandated by the Environment Act 2021 and requires a 10% enhancement to be delivered on or off-site for at least 30 years.

Conservation covenant

A conservation covenant agreement is a private, voluntary agreement to conserve the natural or heritage features of the land. It sets out the legally binding requirements for what a landowner and responsible body must or must not do to help conserve the land.

Environmental Impact Assessment regulations

Environmental Impact Assessments ensure that local planning authorities consider environmental impacts when deciding whether to grant planning permission for a project. The regulations set out a procedure for identifying those projects which should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment, and for assessing, consulting and coming to a decision on those projects which are likely to have significant environmental effects.

Favourable condition

A condition status indicating that a protected site’s (such as an SSSI) designated features are being adequately conserved and are meeting the established monitoring targets required to maintain their ecological condition.

Intensive commercial forestry

Forestry system managed mainly to maximise timber or wood-product output. It is often characterised by denser, even-aged stands of  non-native conifer species, managed by clear felling. Denser planting often means low structural forest diversity and limited light penetration which combined, may prevent woodland or open habitat ground flora as well as some taxonomic groups, and slow dispersing species, from arriving and establishing at a site.

For 30by30 purposes, the main consideration is whether the activity supports biodiversity outcomes. Some lower intensity commercial forestry systems, where planting density is low, or native composition is high, could be considered on a case by case basis.

Intensive farming

An intensive farming system uses high inputs and tightly controlled management to maximise agricultural output, often reducing wildlife-rich habitat, ecological processes and wild species abundance. It may involve:

• regular use of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides
• high mechanisation, irrigation, supplementary feed or high stocking densities
• monoculture, low crop diversity, repeated cropping or frequent soil disturbance

This is not a formal definition. For 30by30, the main question is whether the activity avoids negative impacts on biodiversity outcomes.

In-situ conservation

The conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties.

Irreplaceable habitat

Irreplaceable habitat is very difficult (or takes a very long time) to restore, create or replace once it has been destroyed. This may be due to its: 

1. age 
2. uniqueness 
3. species diversity 
4. rarity 

Irreplaceable habitat includes some of England’s most ecologically valuable terrestrial and intertidal habitat.  For example: 

• ancient woodland 
• ancient and veteran trees 
• blanket bog 
• limestone pavements 
• coastal sand dunes 
• spartina saltmarsh swards 
• mediterranean saltmarsh scrub 
• lowland fens 

Landscape Recovery project

Landscape Recovery projects are large-scale, long-term projects that restore nature, improve biodiversity and deliver environmental benefits across whole landscapes in England. Projects bring together farmers, landowners, environmental organisations and local communities to create plans tailored to their local area. Landscape Recovery projects combine government agri-environment scheme funding with private investment and open new income streams for farmers and landowners through things like biodiversity net gain units and carbon credits. 

Local Wildlife Site

A Local Wildlife Site is an area of land identified locally as being exceptionally important for the conservation of wildlife. These non-statutory designations recognise the most valuable habitats outside of legally protected areas (such as national nature reserves or SSSIs), acting as vital corridors and ‘stepping stones’ for animals and plants.

Major infrastructure

These are large scale major development in England which fall into the following categories:

• energy
• transport
• waste
• waste water
• water

Mean low water and mean high water

Mathematically averaged tidal markers used to set boundaries. For the purposes of 30by30 in England, we use the mean low water mark. This represents the boundary where the shoreline meets the sea during the average daily low tide.

Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)

A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values.

Sustainable agriculture

A system of agricultural production that aims to meet current food needs while conserving natural resources, maintaining ecosystem health, and supporting economically viable and socially equitable farming systems over the long term.

Sustainable Farming Incentive

A government agri-environment scheme in England that provides payments to farmers and land managers for carrying out specified land management actions that protect and enhance the environment while supporting food production.

Unfavourable recovering condition

An SSSI condition which indications that feature of the site is not yet in favourable condition, but the necessary management actions to achieve recovery have been identified and are being implemented, and, if sustained, are expected to result in favourable condition over time.

Wildlife-rich habitat

In England, a wildlife-rich habitat refers to a high-quality environment capable of supporting a diverse array of native flora and fauna. These areas are legally tied to biodiversity targets and government funding initiatives designed to restore nature across the country. The list of wildlife-rich habitats is included within guidance accompanying the Environment Act Habitat Target (table 2), together with condition information.