DEFRA stands for Department of Evironment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is the department which oversees natural resources in England. The majority of this work takes place outside of London, within regional offices or via local authorities closer to nature parks and conservation areas. For example: Lancashire County Council covers a large portion of northern England including North Yorkshire and Cumbria; Oxfordshire District Council includes Gloucestershire & Herefordshire; Bristol City Council looks after much of south-west based around Somerset & Avon counties...etc., etc.. DEFRA works with a wide range of partners, from local action groups to wildlife charities and other government departments. DEFRA is the driving force behind much of what takes place in England's countryside, which also includes forests (for example: The Forestry Commission).