Conservators are bodies corporate generally established, and granted their powers, by a scheme made under the Commons Act 1876[1] (39 & 40 Vict.
[2] The exact role and powers of each group of conservators are defined by their establishing Act and vary, but in general terms their role is to: Conservators often have the power to manage the land, and the trees, plants and animals on it, to provide recreation facilities, to control activity within their area, regulate navigation on waterways and to make byelaws.
[2] Membership of boards of conservators varies according to the terms of the individual legislation that established them.
but the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) plans to bring them into force in the spring of 2009.
The commons councils established under the act will have a similar role to that of existing conservators.