Surfacing Organisational Knowledge Through The Use Of Storytelling - Insights From English Nature

Surfacing Organisational Knowledge Through The Use Of Storytelling – Insights From English Nature

Organisational Background

English Nature is the Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and natural features throughout England. It was set up in 1990 when the Nature Conservancy Council, which had been responsible for conservation in England, Scotland and Wales, was reorganised. It is governed by a Council, which is appointed by the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

English Nature employs around 800 staff. Two-thirds of these are based in local teams, of which there are twenty-two in total. These teams are effectively small conservation communities who work in partnership with local communities and other agencies on wildlife and the natural environment. Being locally-based means that each conservation team is able to develop first-hand knowledge about conservation issues and needs within their geographical area. These local conservation teams are supported by a number of support teams (e.g. Information Technology, Finance, and Uplands and Lowlands habitat specialists) based at English Nature’s headquarters in Peterborough.