Monitoring and Evaluation of Nature Improvement Areas: Final Report (2012-2015)

This document describes a comprehensive evaluation of the Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) in the UK from 2012-2015. The NIAs were designed to enhance biodiversity, ecosystem services, and socio-economic benefits through collaborative land management. The evaluation, conducted by various entities including Collingwood Environmental Planning, employed a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, such as logic models, online tools, and interviews, to assess the impact of the NIAs on habitat quality, species status, community engagement, and resource mobilization. Results showed that NIAs made significant contributions to habitat improvement, biodiversity, and community involvement, with every £1.00 of government grant generating £3.49 in total resources. Challenges included short funding periods, the need for ongoing support, and difficulties in measuring direct biodiversity impacts within a short timeframe. Despite these challenges, the NIAs were found to be successful in forming partnerships, securing additional funding, and serving as a model for future environmental initiatives in Britain. The evaluation highlights the importance of shared visions, integrated delivery, and government funding in achieving conservation goals. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: Home Office (Home Office)
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Quasi-experimental method
• Quasi-experimental methods: Matching
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: October 2015

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Links to published evaluations (DEBUGGING): No final report link found.
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes