It was set up by an Act of Parliament, the Environmental Protection Act of 1990. It is part of DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and gives statutory advice, grants and licences.
English Nature is governed by a council and employs about 700 people.
It works close with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the equivalent bodies for Scotland (Scottish Natural Heritage), Wales (Countryside Council for Wales) and Northern Ireland (Environment and Heritage Service) to bring a consistent approach to nature conservation throughout Britain and towards fulfilling its international obligations.