The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been appointed by DEFRA to produce a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the city region.
The Strategy
Local nature recovery strategies are ambitious, England-wide spatial strategies that will be developed over the next two years, designed to support the restoration and enhancement of nature. With support from Natural England and our local authority partners, the strategy will take an evidence-based approach, developed in collaboration with local stakeholders from the public, private and voluntary sectors.
LNRS will…
Map our most valuable existing habitats
Agree priorities for reversing the decline in biodiversity
Map opportunities for nature recovery and wider environmental goals
Phase one map of existing areas of importance for nature. Phase two nature recovery opportunities map in development
Background
The UK has lost nearly 50% of its biodiversity, placing it in the top 10% most nature depleted countries in the world. The Liverpool city region is no exception. The region’s post-industrial legacy has left its biodiversity in a state of decline, with a 5% loss of all habitats since the 1980s, including 10% of its most biodiverse grasslands. Since 1970, 36 priority species of plants and animals, have not been seen in the city region and could be considered locally extinct, with a further 34 species not seen since 1989.
The LNRS enables the first step of urgent action required to restore the natural environment, which provides a range of benefits to the people of our region. Nature-based solutions can improve our air and water quality, help us to achieve Net Zero, build resilience to climate change and provide access to thriving green spaces
A message from the Mayor
“Over the past few decades, we’ve seen the precious habitats and ecosystems of some of our native species left exposed to both human activity and the effects of climate change – and the results are alarming. With so much of our country’s wildlife and natural biodiversity at risk, these fragile ecosystems need to be protected more than ever.
Wildlife is something to be cherished and protected for future generations, so we’re taking decisive action to start to tackle the decline of wildlife across our region. How fantastic would it be, for example, to see our famous red squirrel population growing again?
Our residents deserve to live in a greener, cleaner city region with thriving green spaces on their doorstep and protecting and sustaining our natural world will be key to achieving that ambition. While we’re only at the beginning of this journey, I’m confident we can start to make a really positive difference.”
Preparation of the Liverpool City Region LNRS is underway. The Combined Authority is working with our local authorities, as supporting authorities to the LNRS, on early project preparation work involving phase one mapping of existing areas of importance for nature in the Liverpool City Region. We are also working closely with our Local Nature Partnership who are undertaking an advisory role. A stakeholder engagement plan is being finalised with engagement due to begin in the Autumn when the public will be encouraged to have their say on nature recovery.
LNRS Progress
If you’d like to get in touch about the LNRS, you can contact [email protected]
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