Overview
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity matters to everyone in Staffordshire. It helps keep our environment healthy and supports our wellbeing. It also makes Staffordshire a better place to live, work and visit.
A healthy natural environment is important for our economy and for creating a sustainable future. That’s why we’re committed to protecting and improving biodiversity.
Staffordshire has a wide range of landscapes, habitats and wildlife. But in recent years, we’ve lost a lot of biodiversity. We must protect what’s left and bring back what we’ve lost wherever we can.
Our Natural Environment Strategy
We look after some of Staffordshire’s most important places for wildlife. Our country parks are home to species and habitats that matter locally, nationally and internationally. They also give people a chance to enjoy and connect with nature.
We’re also helping nature in other places, like business parks and schools.
But there’s still more to do. In 2022, the Full Council made a nature recovery declaration. This confirmed our commitment to protecting wildlife.
This strategy explains what we’ll do to support nature across all our services. It shows how we’ll meet our duty to improve biodiversity and how we’ll track our progress.
Staffordshire County Council Natural Environment Strategy 2024 - 26 (PDF, 935.18 KB)
What about nature?
Nature helps us stay healthy and learn about the world around us. It’s part of our heritage and culture, and gives us a sense of place. Nature also offers space to relax, be inspired and enjoy time outdoors. Providing access to nature is important for all within the community.
Ecologists in the Rural County Unit help protect wildlife across Staffordshire. They give expert advice on managing land, including country parks like Cannock Chase. They also support planners and engineers to make sure nature is considered in their work.
To speak to someone about any of the above, please contact us.
Biodiversity Planning Service
We offer a service to support developers to meet planning requirements for biodiversity.
This service is already available for our planning applications. See our pre-application advice web page for more details.
