The environmental conservation industry is part of the environmental and land‐based industries, represented by Lantra Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land‐based engineering; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing. The sector as a whole currently employs 1,126,000 people (approximately 4% of the UK workforce) in around 230,000 businesses. In addition, there are an estimated 500,000 volunteers working in the sector on a regular basis. Approximately 42% of the workforce is self‐employed.
Environmental conservation is the conservation of landscapes, habitats and species alongside the management of public access, and includes:
- Rural and urban conservation
- Countryside recreation
- Rivers, coasts and waterways
- Heritage conservation
- Urban regeneration
- Environmental management
The industry also covers associated landscape management skills, at policy, planning and technical levels, together with the maintenance of rivers and waterways. Large organisations make up part of this industry, such as Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, BTCV, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, National Parks Authorities, Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust. Environmentalists provide advice and guidance to farmers, land managers and undertake impact assessments on potential industry and building developments.
Key facts:
- There are 23,000 people working in the industry, in approximately 3,250 businesses.
- There are around 200,000 volunteers working in the industry.
- 73% of businesses employ less than 10 staff, 22% employ between 10‐49 staff and 5% employ 50 or more staff.
- 84% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
- 90% of the workforce has a level 2 or above qualification.
Jobs in the industry include: access and recreation officer, estate manager, volunteer coordinator, ranger, countryside officer, waste management officer, conservation officer, biodiversity officer, ecologist, environmental management officer.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 1,250 employees in the regional workforce, in 200 around businesses.
East of England – There are an estimated 1,650 employees in the regional workforce, in around 250 businesses.
London – There are an estimated 2,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 350 businesses.
North East – There are an estimated 900 employees in the regional workforce, in around 150 businesses.
North West – There are an estimated 2,100 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
South East – There are an estimated 2,550 employees in the regional workforce, in around 350 businesses.
South West – There are an estimated 1,250 employees in the regional workforce, in around 400 businesses.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 1,950 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 1,450 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 businesses.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 1,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 150 businesses.
Scotland – There are an estimated 2,800 employees in the regional workforce, in around 400 businesses.
Wales – There are an estimated 2,050 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
[N.B. Data derived from Experian National Surveys Database, 2008 and Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
