Somerset Council’s first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) – a long-term, landmark plan to protect and restore wildlife and habitats – has been published and endorsed by the Council’s Executive.
The LNRS aims to reverse the decline in nature across the county. It outlines priorities for nature recovery, recommended actions, and target areas to achieve the greatest environmental benefits.
It will help to guide action and investment in areas where nature recovery is most needed. It will also support land managers, developers, planners, environmental groups, and residents in identifying opportunities for nature recovery.
The plan contains:
- Statement of Biodiversity Priorities – Defines goals and actions based on input from stakeholders
- Local Habitat Map – Shows where nature recovery actions can be most effective
By identifying where nature recovery and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) actions will have the highest impact, the LNRS means environmental spending can be targeted more efficiently and helps reduce long-term financial pressures through natural flood management, climate resilience and improved ecosystem services.
It has been developed and consulted on with input from landowners, environmental organisations, community groups and statutory agencies.
Councillor Graham Oakes, Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment said:
This strategy is about working together to make sure that our wildlife, green spaces, and natural landscapes can thrive for future generations.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy sets out the most important actions for nature recovery which can be taken by the council, partner organisations and by local residents.
Being surrounded by thriving, nature-rich landscapes is often what draws people to live in Somerset, it is so important for our health and wellbeing. This plan is an essential step towards restoring habitat and diverse ecosystems across the county by mapping out areas for nature restoration.
We would like to thank everyone who took part in the strategy’s development work.
Simon Stonehouse, Principal Manager, Natural England said:
Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is the result of dedicated collaboration between Natural England, Somerset Council, and a host of other local organisations and people. It is a blueprint for protecting and restoring the remarkable wildlife that makes Somerset so special. Natural England fully endorses the strategy and looks forward to working with partners to translate it into action.
Georgia Dent, Chief Executive, Somerset Wildlife Trust, said:
We’re delighted that Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been published. We are in the midst of a nature crisis, with 1 in 4 species at risk of extinction globally.
Somerset’s State of Nature report shows that this is true even in Somerset, home to a fantastic range of wonderful species, but with a 60% decline in species like fritillary butterflies, and annual loss of species rich grasslands. We need now, more than ever, to work together to turn this around and this strategy sets out how we can do this.
Developing this strategy was a huge piece of work involving an incredible amount of people and organisations coming together to find opportunities to protect, celebrate and restore Somerset’s fantastic habitats and species. It is vital that we now continue working together, with communities, with businesses and with individuals, to deliver this strategy and realise these opportunities.
Next steps
Somerset Council will now work with partners through delivery groups, community networks, land management clusters and strategic partnerships to put the strategy into action. Annual updates will report on progress and highlight opportunities for further collaboration.
The full strategy, Local Habitat Map, and summary materials are available here: Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy
