# Create or extend 25 nature reserves by 2027

> “That’s why Natural England is delivering the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, which will create or extend 25 NNRs by 2027, leaving a legacy for people and nature.”
>
> — Natural England; Press release (Natural England), 7 October 2026

- **Status:** Delivering
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Housing & environment](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/housing-and-environment)
- **Speaker:** [Natural England](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/natural-england)
- **Made on:** 7 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Natural England)
- **Deadline:** 31 December 2027
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** People and wildlife around new or extended National Nature Reserves in England, and the landowners and partners who manage them
- **When:** By 2027, as stated; Natural England's March 2026 notice says 2028
- **Paid for by:** Not stated when it was announced
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pine-marten-caught-on-camera-in-suffolk-nature-reserve-first (checked word for word on 8 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 8 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-kings-series-nnr-2026

## Where it stands

Natural England's notice of 19 March 2026 says Seven Sisters became the 13th National Nature Reserve in the King's Series, halfway to 25; Lyscombe in Dorset was declared on 15 September 2026 as the latest. That notice gives the target date as 2028, while the 7 October 2026 release says 2027; the card uses the date in the quote and reads "by 2027" as the end of 2027.

## Timeline

- 7 October 2026, Promised: Natural England says the King's Series will create or extend 25 National Nature Reserves by 2027
- 7 October 2026, Delivering: Under way: Natural England reported the 13th King's Series reserve (Seven Sisters) on 19 March 2026, and declared Lyscombe in Dorset on 15 September 2026 ([evidence](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iconic-seven-sisters-formally-declared-englands-new-national-nature-reserve))
- 31 December 2027, Deadline (to come): 25 new or extended National Nature Reserves due (by 2027, as stated)

## About the cost

No costing published in the release.

## Sources

- [Natural England press release, 7 Oct 2026: Pine marten caught on camera in Suffolk nature reserve 'first'](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pine-marten-caught-on-camera-in-suffolk-nature-reserve-first)
- [Natural England, 19 Mar 2026: Iconic Seven Sisters formally declared England's new National Nature Reserve](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iconic-seven-sisters-formally-declared-englands-new-national-nature-reserve)
- [Natural England, 15 Sep 2026: Rare species help Dorset nature reserve gain national recognition](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rare-species-help-dorset-nature-reserve-gain-national-recognition)

## Checks

- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 8 October 2026; human editor review to come.

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