Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Welcome to the webpage of the Staffordshire and Stoke-On-Trent the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), a legal framework for enhancing and restoring the natural environment in our area.

The LNRS is currently being developed by Staffordshire County Council, working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, our district and borough councils in the area, the Peak District National Park Authority and Natural England, alongside other partners.

Over the next 12-18 months we will be developing the strategy. We expect to have the final document developed and published by March 2025.

The purpose of the LNRS

Why do we need an LNRS?

Helping nature help us

What the LNRS will achieve

How we will develop the LNRS

Who is responsible for developing the LNRS

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Get in touch

The purpose of the LNRS

The main purpose of the LNRS is to identify locations across our area to create or improve habitats like woodlands, rivers and meadows. These will be placed where they are most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.

The strategy will not force the owners and managers of the land identified to make any changes. Instead, the government is encouraging action through opportunities for funding and investment.

Why do we need an LNRS? Back to top

Across the world, nature is in crisis. One million species are threatened with extinction, many within decades. Our planet is experiencing the largest loss of life since the dinosaurs and is it largely the result of human activity.

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Wildlife in England has declined in abundance by 32% on average since 1970 and 13% of species in England are threatened with extinction.

Like much of the UK, nature is under pressure in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent too.

Helping nature help us Back to top

By helping nature, we are also helping ourselves. Nature provides important goods and services that support our wellbeing and quality of life. From the insects that pollinate our food crops, to trees storing carbon, nature is essential to us.

Helping nature is a cross-cutting theme. It is part of the life supporting systems of soil health, water quality and air quality.

What the LNRS will achieve Back to top

The LNRS will set out the priorities for action to support nature recovery in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and identify locations that present good opportunities for wildlife.

Where possible, the strategy will seek to support delivery of national targets identified by Government, including to:

Halt the decline in species abundance by 2030.
Protect 30% of UK land for biodiversity by 2030.
Increase species abundance by at least 10% from 2030, surpassing 2022 levels by 2042.
Restore or create at least 500,000 ha of a range of wildlife rich habitats by 2042.
Reduce the risk of species extinction by 2042.
Restore 75% of our one million hectares of terrestrial and freshwater protected sites to favourable condition, securing their wildlife value for the long term by 2042.
Increase woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050

How we will develop the LNRS Back to top

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy will be developed in collaboration with a wide range of partners, including:

Landowners
Supporting authorities
Regulatory bodies
Neighbouring regional authorities
Communities
Businesses
Environmental bodies
and utilities.

We will engage with stakeholders throughout the development process and seek their input and feedback through consultations. We will also keep our residents and communities updated on our progress via our website and other communication channels.

By working together, we can develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy that reflects the needs and priorities of our community and helps to ensure a healthy and thriving natural environment for future generations.