WORCESTERSHIRE residents are being asked to help shape a brand-new pioneering strategy for nature recovery in the county.
Worcestershire County Council has launched a public consultation to inform the preparation of the new countywide strategy, which will help protect and improve Worcestershire’s local environment.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Worcestershire will be one of 48 across England and key in the delivery of a national Nature Recovery Network of sites.
Councillor Richard Morris, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for environment said: “This strategy will show our vision for protecting and enhancing Worcestershire’s wonderful environment.
“The potential for Worcestershire to contribute to this Nature Recovery Network is vast, with our nationally important meadows, orchards, grasslands, woodlands, floodplains and trees.
“Equally important are the valuable pockets of nature-rich habitat within our towns and villages.
“Whether you are a school, volunteer organisation, business or individual, show us how you contribute or are looking to contribute.”
The LNRS is a new type of plan for nature and environmental improvement.
They are a legal requirement of the Environment Act 2021 and Worcestershire County Council has been appointed as the Responsible Authority to lead the preparation of Worcestershire’s LNRS, supported by the six District Councils and Natural England.
Each LNRS will contain a locally agreed statement of biodiversity priorities and a local habitat map. Once adopted, the LNRS will be a way for anyone to view the agreed nature recovery priorities in a location and determine what practical action could be delivered to achieve those priorities.
This first stage of the consultation process is asking Worcestershire residents what the local threats and priorities should be for nature’s recovery and where the opportunities are within the county to deliver more, bigger and better improvements for nature.
The consultation will run from Monday, January 15 to Friday, February 23. There will then be a second stage of the consultation, later this year, on a full draft of the strategy.
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/lnrs to take part.
