Areas Boards - were dissolved on 31st March 2007

assisted SNH's work at local level. Their responsibilities were:

• validating proposals for the notification and confirmation of Sites of Special Scientific Interest on behalf of the SNH Board;
• advising on major or contentious SNH casework, including consideration of planning and Woodland Grant Scheme applications;
• advising on management plans for National Nature Reserves;
• representing SNH's work and views with local partners;
• contributing ideas and experience to the work of SNH Areas;
• advising on policy and strategies from a local perspective.

Each Areas Board was chaired by a member of the SNH Board.

The Area Boards were replaced by a Local Adviser Forum