The Improvement Programme for England’s Natura 2000 Sites (IPENS) is developing a suite of eleven Theme Plans. These Plans will address the issues that impact on, and affect the condition of, multiple Natura 2000 sites and which are difficult to resolve on a site-by-site basis. The project has identified the need for a Theme Plan on Invasive Species and Deer.
Invasive non-native species (INNS) are one of the top ten high impact pressures and threats affecting Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in England (2013 Article 17 data for England), and together with invasive native species have been identified as a priority for the IPENS project to address. A technical workshop was held on 21 August 2013. The workshop sought views about what we want to achieve for Natura 2000 sites in relation to invasive species and deer, including priorities for action, how to resolve blockages to progress and innovative approaches.