This authoritative book, produced with the full co-operation of English Nature, is the first book to be devoted to the subject of the 140 Nature Reserves of England. It looks at the background and philosophy of National Nature Reserves and at the role they play in protecting wildlife and landforms, providing outdoor laboratories for environmental research and demonstrating the techniques of land management for nature conservation. The text is attractively illustrated with line drawings and over 60 superb colour photographs depicting some of England's most beautiful and dramatic natural landscapes.