APPENDIX 1 HIERARCHY OF NATURE CONSERVATION DESIGNATIONS

Importance	Site designation and explanation
Sites of international importance	Ramsar Sites Listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
	Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Classified under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds
	Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) Designated under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the Habitats Directive)
Sites of national importance	National Nature Reserves (NNRs) Declared under section 19 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 or section 35 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Sites of national importance	Sites of Special Scientific Interest Notified under section 28 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000)
Sites of regional or local importance	Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) Designated by Local Authorities under section 21 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
	Non-statutory Nature Reserves Established and managed by a variety of public and private bodies, eg EWT, RSPB
	Wildlife Sites (SINC / CWS / WS) These are sites of a local or county significance. These are usually adopted by local authorities for planning purposes.
	Regionally Important Geological / Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) These are sites of a local or county significance. These are usually adopted by local authorities for planning purposes.