Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
Natural England is a government department directly controlled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Answer: False
Explanation: Natural England is a non-departmental public body, not a direct government department, although it is sponsored by Defra. It operates with a degree of independence.
The primary role of Natural England extends beyond protecting the natural environment to also include helping people enjoy and understand it.
Answer: True
Explanation: Natural England's primary role encompasses both the protection and enhancement of England's natural environment, as well as facilitating public enjoyment, understanding, and access to it.
Natural England was established on October 1, 2008, as a result of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act.
Answer: False
Explanation: Natural England was officially established on October 1, 2006, under the provisions of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
Natural England's jurisdiction covers the entire United Kingdom, including Scotland and Wales.
Answer: False
Explanation: The geographical jurisdiction of Natural England is limited exclusively to England.
Tony Juniper serves as the Chief Executive of Natural England, while Marian Spain is the Chairman.
Answer: False
Explanation: Tony Juniper holds the position of Chairman, and Marian Spain serves as the Chief Executive of Natural England.
One of Natural England's four strategic outcomes is to promote the enjoyment of the natural environment.
Answer: True
Explanation: Promoting enjoyment of the natural environment is explicitly identified as one of the four strategic outcomes guiding Natural England's activities and resource allocation.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has no legal authority to issue guidance to Natural England due to its independent status.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite its operational independence as a non-departmental public body, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs retains the legal authority to issue guidance to Natural England on various matters.
The formation of Natural England was a direct result of recommendations from a rural review conducted by The Baron Haskins of Skidby.
Answer: True
Explanation: The establishment of Natural England was a direct implementation of the recommendations put forth in a rural review conducted by The Baron Haskins of Skidby.
Natural England was formed by the amalgamation of English Heritage, the Countryside Agency, and the Rural Development Service.
Answer: False
Explanation: Natural England was formed by the amalgamation of English Nature, specific elements of the Countryside Agency (landscape, access, recreation), and the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development Service. English Heritage was not one of the founder bodies.
What is Natural England's primary role within the United Kingdom?
Answer: To protect and enhance England's natural environment and help people enjoy it.
Explanation: Natural England's primary role is to protect and enhance England's natural environment, encompassing its land, flora, fauna, freshwater, marine environments, geology, and soils, while also facilitating public enjoyment and understanding.
On what date was Natural England officially established?
Answer: October 1, 2006
Explanation: Natural England was officially established on October 1, 2006.
Natural England's geographical jurisdiction is limited to which area?
Answer: England only
Explanation: Natural England's operational and regulatory jurisdiction is confined solely to England.
Who serves as the Chairman of Natural England?
Answer: Tony Juniper
Explanation: Tony Juniper currently serves as the Chairman of Natural England.
Which government department is responsible for sponsoring Natural England?
Answer: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Explanation: Natural England operates as a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Which of the following is one of Natural England's four strategic outcomes?
Answer: Promoting enjoyment of the natural environment
Explanation: Promoting enjoyment of the natural environment is one of Natural England's four strategic outcomes, alongside achieving a healthy natural environment, ensuring sustainable use, and securing an environmental future.
What legal authority does the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs retain over Natural England?
Answer: It operates independently, but the Secretary of State retains legal authority to issue guidance.
Explanation: While Natural England functions as an independent non-departmental public body, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs maintains the legal prerogative to issue guidance on various aspects of its operations.
What legislation led to the establishment of Natural England?
Answer: The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
Explanation: Natural England was formally established through the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
Which of the following was NOT one of the founder bodies that amalgamated to form Natural England?
Answer: The National Trust
Explanation: Natural England was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, specific functions of the Rural Development Service, and certain elements of the Countryside Agency. The National Trust was not a constituent body.
In 2023, Natural England employed over 2,500 individuals.
Answer: True
Explanation: As of 2023, Natural England had a workforce of 2,577 employees, which is indeed over 2,500.
Natural England manages its own information technology services internally without outsourcing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Natural England outsources its information technology services to IBM, while other internal services are obtained from the Defra Shared Services organization.
How many employees did Natural England have in 2023?
Answer: 2,577
Explanation: In 2023, Natural England reported an employee count of 2,577.
Natural England outsources its information technology services to which company?
Answer: IBM
Explanation: Natural England's information technology services are outsourced to IBM.
Natural England joined the 10:10 project in 2009 with the goal of increasing its public engagement.
Answer: False
Explanation: Natural England joined the 10:10 project in 2009 with the specific aim of reducing its own carbon footprint.
The 'State of the Natural Environment' report published in May 2008 aimed to provide a benchmark for policy development among environmental organizations.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'State of the Natural Environment' report, published by Natural England in May 2008, was designed to compile statistics and facts about England's environment, serving as a benchmark for policy development.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) produces reports that complement Natural England's 'State of the Natural Environment' report.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) produces reports on the state of the UK's birds, which complement Natural England's 'State of the Natural Environment' report.
Natural England's 'green exercise' projects definitively led to long-term changes in people's attitudes towards physical activity in natural environments.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Natural England's green exercise projects successfully increased physical activity and connections to local green spaces, it remained unclear whether they resulted in long-term changes in attitudes towards green exercise.
Natural England advocates for 'green infrastructure' as a way to provide benefits for people and the environment simultaneously.
Answer: True
Explanation: Natural England actively promotes the concept of 'green infrastructure' as a strategic approach to deliver a wide array of benefits for both human populations and the natural environment concurrently.
Natural England believes green infrastructure should be considered only for new urban regeneration projects, not new developments.
Answer: False
Explanation: Natural England's position is that green infrastructure should be an essential component of all new developments and a key element in proposals for regenerating existing urban areas.
In 2019 and 2020, Natural England identified that housing development could negatively impact rivers due to increased nutrient pollution from sewage discharges.
Answer: True
Explanation: Between 2019 and 2020, Natural England determined that housing development could adversely affect certain rivers by increasing nutrient pollution from sewage discharges.
What was Natural England's goal in joining the 10:10 project in 2009?
Answer: To reduce its own carbon footprint.
Explanation: Natural England joined the 10:10 project in 2009 with the explicit objective of reducing its organizational carbon footprint.
What was the purpose of Natural England's 'State of the Natural Environment' report published in May 2008?
Answer: To compile statistics and facts about England's environment for policy development.
Explanation: The 'State of the Natural Environment' report, published in May 2008, aimed to compile comprehensive statistics and facts about England's environment, serving as a foundational resource for policy development among environmental organizations.
Which organization produces reports on 'heritage counts' that complement Natural England's environmental reports?
Answer: English Heritage
Explanation: English Heritage produces reports on 'heritage counts' that complement Natural England's 'State of the Natural Environment' report, alongside other organizations focusing on environmental facts and figures or specific wildlife populations.
What was a limitation observed in the 'green exercise' projects funded by Natural England?
Answer: It remained unclear if they led to long-term changes in attitudes towards green exercise.
Explanation: While Natural England's funded green exercise projects successfully increased physical activity and strengthened connections to green spaces, a key limitation was the uncertainty regarding whether these initiatives fostered long-term changes in attitudes towards green exercise.
Natural England advocates for 'green infrastructure' to be integrated into what system?
Answer: The spatial planning system.
Explanation: Natural England advocates for the integration of green infrastructure into the spatial planning system, positioning it as an essential component of new developments and urban regeneration proposals.
What environmental impact did Natural England identify from housing development in 2019 and 2020?
Answer: Nutrient pollution in rivers due to sewage discharges.
Explanation: In 2019 and 2020, Natural England identified that housing development could lead to negative impacts on certain rivers through increased nutrient pollution, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, resulting from sewage discharges.
Natural England is responsible for designating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Answer: True
Explanation: Among its specific powers and responsibilities, Natural England is tasked with designating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Access to Nature Scheme is one of the grant frameworks administered by Natural England.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Access to Nature Scheme is listed as one of the various grant schemes and frameworks administered by Natural England to fund environmental development and conservation.
What specific power does Natural England have regarding protected areas?
Answer: It designates Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Explanation: Natural England's powers include the designation of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), along with managing national nature reserves and overseeing access rights.
Which of these is a grant scheme administered by Natural England?
Answer: The Countryside Stewardship Scheme
Explanation: The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is one of several grant frameworks administered by Natural England to support the development and conservation of the natural environment.
Sir Martin Doughty, a former Chairman, advocated for the widespread adoption of genetically modified crops in 2008.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2008, Sir Martin Doughty, then Chairman, issued a warning to the Prime Minister regarding the potential dangers associated with genetically modified crops, rather than advocating for their adoption.
Poul Christensen, a subsequent Chairman, held a more cautious view on genetically modified crops than his predecessor, Sir Martin Doughty.
Answer: False
Explanation: Poul Christensen expressed a more open stance on genetically modified (GM) crops, suggesting that 'middle England' should embrace new technologies with safeguards, which was a less cautious view than Sir Martin Doughty's earlier warning.
Natural England staff have experienced prolonged pay freezes and restrictions since the 2008 financial crisis.
Answer: True
Explanation: Since the 2008 financial crisis, Natural England, as a public body, has been subjected to a series of pay freezes and restrictions, including a three-year pay freeze in 2020.
Pay disparities among Natural England staff are primarily due to recent changes in salary structures rather than historical reasons.
Answer: False
Explanation: Existing pay disparities among Natural England staff are primarily attributed to their origins from the different bodies that vested to Natural England, indicating historical rather than recent structural causes.
In 2023, Natural England opposed a planning application for a development on The Lizard peninsula that it had itself submitted.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2023, Natural England took the unusual step of formally opposing its own planning application for a development on The Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.
In the 2006 legal challenge, Peter Boggis was attempting to protect a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) from coastal erosion.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peter Boggis was attempting to protect his own house from coastal erosion. Natural England's argument was that his protection efforts conflicted with the scientific interests of the designated SSSI site.
Natural England ultimately won the appeal in the Peter Boggis case, confirming the conservation status of the Easton Bavents cliffs.
Answer: True
Explanation: Despite an initial High Court loss in 2009, Natural England successfully appealed the Peter Boggis case in October 2009, thereby confirming the conservation status of the Easton Bavents cliffs.
Natural England revoked three general licenses for wild bird control in 2019 after extensive public consultation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Natural England's revocation of three general licenses for wild bird control on April 23, 2019, was announced without prior consultation or communication.
The revocation of wild bird control licenses in 2019 was prompted by a legal challenge from the environmental group Wild Justice.
Answer: True
Explanation: The decision by Natural England to revoke the general licenses for wild bird control in 2019 was a direct consequence of a legal challenge initiated by the environmental group Wild Justice.
The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, took over responsibility for the general licenses concerning wild bird control from Natural England in May 2019 at Natural England's request.
Answer: True
Explanation: On May 4, 2019, at the request of Natural England, the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, assumed responsibility for the general licenses pertaining to wild bird control.
In 2008, Sir Martin Doughty, then Chairman of Natural England, issued a warning to the Prime Minister about what?
Answer: The potential dangers associated with genetically modified crops.
Explanation: In 2008, Sir Martin Doughty, then Chairman of Natural England, communicated a warning to the Prime Minister regarding the potential dangers linked to genetically modified crops.
How did Poul Christensen's view on genetically modified crops in 2012 differ from Sir Martin Doughty's earlier stance?
Answer: Christensen expressed a more open stance, suggesting 'middle England' embrace new technologies with safeguards.
Explanation: In 2012, Poul Christensen, as Chairman, adopted a more open perspective on genetically modified (GM) crops, advocating for their embrace by 'middle England' provided adequate testing and safeguards were in place, contrasting with his predecessor's cautionary stance.
What has been a significant financial and employment issue for Natural England since the 2008 financial crisis?
Answer: A series of pay freezes and restrictions.
Explanation: Since the 2008 financial crisis, Natural England has experienced prolonged pay freezes and restrictions, including a three-year pay freeze in 2020, leading to concerns about pay equality and disparity.
What is the primary reason for existing pay disparities among Natural England staff?
Answer: Staff originating from the different bodies that vested to Natural England.
Explanation: Existing pay disparities among Natural England staff are primarily attributed to the varying origins of employees from the different bodies (The Rural Development Service, English Nature, and the Countryside Agency) that amalgamated to form Natural England.
In 2023, Natural England took an unusual action regarding a planning application. What was it?
Answer: It opposed its own planning application for a development on The Lizard peninsula.
Explanation: In an unusual move in 2023, Natural England formally opposed a planning application for a development on The Lizard peninsula, despite having submitted the application itself.
In the 2006 legal challenge involving Peter Boggis, what was Natural England's argument?
Answer: That Boggis's protection efforts went against the scientific interests of the SSSI site.
Explanation: In the legal challenge, Natural England contended that Peter Boggis's efforts to protect his house from coastal erosion at Easton Bavents conflicted with the scientific interests of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
On April 23, 2019, Natural England revoked three general licenses for what purpose?
Answer: To control certain wild birds using firearms.
Explanation: On April 23, 2019, Natural England revoked three general licenses that had previously permitted the control of certain wild bird species using firearms.
Why did Natural England revoke the general licenses for wild bird control in 2019?
Answer: Following a legal challenge by the environmental group Wild Justice.
Explanation: The revocation of the general licenses for wild bird control in 2019 was prompted by a legal challenge from the environmental group Wild Justice, which questioned the legality of these licenses.
Which types of birds were among the 16 species affected by the 2019 revocation of general licenses for control by firearms?
Answer: Various species of crow, gull, and pigeon, as well as non-native species.
Explanation: The 2019 revocation of general licenses affected 16 bird species, including various types of crow, gull, and pigeon, in addition to non-native species such as the Canada goose and sacred ibis.
Who assumed responsibility for the general licenses related to wild bird control from Natural England in May 2019?
Answer: The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove.
Explanation: At Natural England's request, the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, assumed responsibility for the general licenses concerning wild bird control in May 2019.