Local nature reserves (LNRs) in England are designated by local authorities under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
[1] LNRs are sites which have a special local interest either biologically or geologically.
Local authorities have a duty to care for them, and must control the sites by owning or leasing them, or by having an agreement with the owners.
[2] As of April 2020, there are 65 LNRs in Hampshire,[3] of which 28 are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 15 are Ramsar sites, 15 are Special Areas of Conservation, 16 are Special Protection Areas and one is a national nature reserve and one is a Nature Conservation Review site.
Two sites are managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.