An updated Natural Environment Strategy has been published for Staffordshire, setting out what steps will be taken to protect and enhance nature across the county over the coming years.
The updated strategy shows how Staffordshire County Council is meeting its legal duty under the Environment Act 2021 to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
It outlines a number of strengthened commitments made by the county council, including a pledge to manage 30% of council‑owned land (excluding highways) for biodiversity by 2030 and bring all council‑owned Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) into favourable condition by 2042.
Additional actions include:
- Putting together a plan by the end of 2027 to ensure targeted support for threatened species like adders, nightjars and native crayfish.
- Wildlife friendly management of roadside verges to support pollinators by April 2028.
- Reducing flood risk through natural measures.
- A commitment to fit bird and bat boxes, hedgehog highways and other wildlife friendly features on new council developments.
- Working with farmers to support habitat creation and hedgerow restoration on the County Farms Estate.
- Supporting nature-based learning and health activities in the community through libraries, family hubs and forest schools.
The accompanying Biodiversity Report highlights strong progress since 2024, with the county council leading the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy to identify priority areas for habitat improvement and ensure new developments support nature. The use of peat and pesticides has been reduced across country parks and strengthened measures are in place to prevent invasive species from spreading.
Practical conservation work on council-owned land includes managing heathlands, restoring rivers, planting for rare butterflies, creating habitats for bats and birds, and supporting pollinators through wildlife-friendly verge planting. On the County Farms Estate, plans are in place to plant more than 450 kilometres of native hedgerows.
Community involvement is also growing, with volunteers, schools, libraries and family hubs helping to plant trees, manage habitats and connect more people with the natural world.
The refreshed Natural Environment Strategy builds on this work and focuses on three core areas: the council’s land and buildings, how biodiversity is embedded into council services and decision-making, and how communities and staff are supported to play their part.
Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said:
"The UK is one of the most nature‑depleted countries, with biodiversity having been in decline for decades and nearly one in six species threatened with extinction. This affects us all, as we rely on the natural world for so much in our daily lives.
"In Staffordshire we have a duty to protect and improve our local environment, and the updated strategy shows the council’s strong commitment to taking action.
"Our Biodiversity Report sets out what we’ve achieved so far and what we plan to do next. I urge Cabinet to look closely at these plans and think about how we can go even further in the future.”
Cabinet will be asked to approve both the updated Natural Environment Strategy and the Biodiversity Report at its meeting on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
The county council will publish the new Biodiversity Report by 26 March 2026.
