Wildlife and countryside Act 1981

Part I: Wildlife 
Part I includes sections 1 to 27 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers: 

• Protection of birds
• Protection of other animals
• Protection of plants
• Miscellaneous

Introduction into the wild of species that are not native to Great Britain or are otherwise banned 
The import or export of endangered species.

Part II: Nature Conservation, Countryside & National Parks 
Part II includes sections 28 to 52 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers: 

• Nature conservation
• Areas of Special Scientific Interest
• Limestone Pavements
• National Nature Reserves
• Marine Nature Reserves
• Countryside
• National Parks

Part III: Public Rights of Way 
Part III includes sections 53 to 66 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers: 

• Ascertainment of public rights of way (The duties of government bodies to identify and maintain records about Public Rights of Way)
• Miscellaneous & Supplemental
• Some responsibilities of owners of land crossed by a Public Right of Way
• Regulation of traffic on Public Rights of Way

Part IV: Miscellaneous & General 
Part IV includes sections 67 to 74 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers: 

• Application of the Act to Crown land
• Application of the Act to the Isles of Scilly
• Offences by ‘bodies corporate’
• Financial provisions

Schedules 
The Act contains 17 schedules. 
Schedules 1 to 10 relate to powers under Part I of the Act 
Schedules 11 to 13 relate to powers under Part II of the Act 
Schedules 14 to 16 relate to powers under Part III of the Act 
Schedule 17 lists previous legislation that was repealed in favour of this Act.