Local nature recovery strategy for Nottinghamshire

Creating a greener Nottinghamshire for everyone

We are responsible for producing the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Nottinghamshire (including the city). Working closely with local district and borough councils, Nottingham City Council and key stakeholders we aim to define how and where we can best protect and enhance nature locally. The LNRS will be our map for nature's recovery in Nottinghamshire and will contribute to the National Recovery Network.

What is a Local Nature Recovery Strategy?

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are a new England-wide system of spatial strategies established by the Environment Act 2021. 

The main purposes of these strategies are to:

• Help reverse the ongoing decline of nature in England by establishing priorities for nature recovery.
• Identify locations to create or improve habitats that are most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
• Inform the delivery of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and guide local planning policy for nature recovery.

Key elements of the strategy include:

• Biodiversity Priorities Statement: identifying priorities for nature's recovery.
• Local Habitat Map: mapping the most valuable existing areas for nature.
• Specific Proposals Map: highlighting habitat creation or wider environmental improvement goals.

Producing the Strategy

We are committed to recovering nature in Nottinghamshire. Our Local Nature Recovery Strategy will consist of an online document and map, which will inform and guide nature recovery across the county.

The proposed actions will help address the global biodiversity crisis and provide benefits for residents, as local green spaces are important for physical and mental health.

There are three key elements in developing the strategy:

• Research: Identifying local priorities, opportunities and challenges for nature recovery.
• Mapping: Creating The Local Habitat Map.
• Engagement: Discussing nature recovery with key stakeholders and the wider public.

We will work with local stakeholders including:

• Ashfield District Council
• Bassetlaw District Council
• Broxtowe Borough Council
• Gedling Borough Council
• Mansfield District Council
• Newark & Sherwood District Council
• Nottingham City Council
• Rushcliffe Borough Council
• Natural England
• Environment Agency
• Forestry Commission
• National Farmers Union
• Country Land & Business Association
• Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
• Notts Biodiversity Action Group
• RSPB
• Canal and River Trust
• Trent Rivers Trust
• National Trust
• Woodland Trust
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Nottingham
• East Midlands Chamber

Timescales

A draft strategy is due to be ready for public consultation early Summer 2025.

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Nottinghamshire will be published in Autumn 2025.

Get involved

We want to engage with as many people as possible during strategy development and are keen to hear about any projects helping to boost nature recovery across the county. 

Thank you to those that took part in our initial survey and shared their thoughts about nature in Nottinghamshire. We are now collating and reviewing the feedback and this will help inform our draft strategy. 

Please note you can still view and interact with the interactive map now the survey has closed.

If you would like any further information or know of relevant organisations or groups that we should involve, please contact the Project Coordinator by email at LNRSNN@nottscc.gov.uk

Everyone has a part in nature recovery

We all have a responsibility to protect the natural environment, both locally and globally. We can all help nature to recover in our gardens, workplaces and the green spaces near to where we live. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy will provide a framework for action that can be taken by councils, farmers, environmental organisation, businesses and community groups.

This project is funded through the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA.