Origins of INCA

In 1988 the Nature Conservancy Council (now reorganised as English Nature) and ICI plc laid the foundations for a unique partnership, an independent and neutral organisation to address the challenge and opportunities of nature conservation in the industrial environments of Teesside.

A network of Industry and Nature Conservation Associations was envisaged across England, but only Teesside has sustained the vision. There may be several reasons for this. Funding may have been one obstacle. Timing may have been another, in that other areas did not have Teesside's history of overcoming the mutual suspicion which has often characterised the debate between industry and the wider environmental lobby.

It is a significant challenge for all parties within the INCA forum to share the common goal of a better future. The challenge comes not only from the cross sectoral interaction, but also from peer group pressure. The success of INCA stems from the achievement of its members in meeting that challenge.