Views sought on how to help nature's recovery in Wiltshire

Tuesday, 24 September 2024 05:55

Wiltshire Council is leading the drive to help nature's recovery across both Wiltshire and Swindon and is preparing a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Through the LNRS, rich habitats can be created to drive nature's recovery and provide wider environmental benefits.

In 2023 Wiltshire Council was one of 48 individual local authorities who benefited from receiving allocations from a £14 million funding pot from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs enabling them to work with their local communities to develop a tailored nature recovery strategy for their area.

Nature recovery needs to be locally led to help identify practical, achievable proposals developed with the input of people who know and understand the area. The LNRS Team have been mapping areas in Swindon and Wiltshire where future nature improvement projects should be provided to give nature the best chance for recovery following suggestions gathered at stakeholder engagement opportunities and events held early this year.

The council is now asking people for their views on this mapping and will be holding a webinar on Monday 30 September, giving people the chance to learn more about the draft LNRS map and how they can give feedback via a survey, as well as offer the opportunity to ask questions.

To book, people should visit the Wiltshire Council website or use the following link:
Monday 30 September, at 6 pm - 7.30 pm - for all local residents Booking form: LNRS Mapping Feedback Webinar

Feedback on the draft LNRS map can also be given via the survey which will be available on the Wiltshire Council LNRS webpage from Monday 23 September until Friday 11 October 2024.

Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Dominic Muns, said, “We depend on nature for everything and now nature really needs our help. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy will assist us to enhance wildlife habitats in the beautiful county in which we live.

“We will be seeking to collaborate with local people, farmers and landowners on this vital work and asking people to give us their views, by completing an online survey. to receive extra information and hear about the work we have done so far to develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy sign up to attend our online webinar.”

New Forest National Park Authority Chair David Bence said: “Reversing the decline in biodiversity is vitally important and Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a key tool to help make this possible. Five per cent of the New Forest National Park is in Wiltshire and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy will identify where action for nature will be particularly beneficial. We encourage local people, farmers and land managers to take part in this consultation.”

People can join the council's LNRS mailing list, to receive updates about the Wiltshire and Swindon LNRS and invitations to events sent straight to your inbox.

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