Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) is part of a coalition of wildlife charities calling for Government to do more to safeguard wildlife. In 2020, Government agreed to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature, the "30 x 30 target" as part of the UN Leaders Pledge for Nature. A report by Wildlife and Countryside Link published today (19 October 2022) shows slow progress toward that goal, and worrying signs of existing protections unravelling. Only 3.22% of England's land is effectively protected and managed for nature, a small increase from 3% in 2021, according to the report. ARC's view is that increasing the proportion of the UK's land under protection is a necessary step in the recovery of reptiles and amphibians, which are threatened all too often when land is developed or managed intensively. Moves to designate more land to benefit reptiles and amphibians were boosted recently when revised guidance was issued. ARC calls on government to substantially improve its approach to protecting land for nature, and to safeguarding areas of specific value to reptiles and amphibians.

The Wildlife and Countryside Link report "2022 progress report on 30x30 in England" can be viewed here.