Environmental representatives convene to shape priorities for new local nature recovery strategy

On Tuesday 5 June 2023, the OLNP hosted representatives from across the environmental sector at their Forum event. Over the course of the day, they discussed the measures needed to make sure Oxfordshire's new Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is an ambitious and robust piece of work that galvanises nature restoration in the county.

These spatial strategies for nature mandated in the Environment Act 2021 have the potential to be a powerful tool that will help restore our natural habitats and green spaces by mapping priorities and measures to drive nature’s recovery and provide wider environmental benefits, such as natural flood management and carbon sequestration. We are working with key partners in the sector to help develop this county's LNRS and make sure it is as robust as possible.

Oxfordshire County Council have been named the 'responsible authority' for delivering the LNRS, with the OLNP helping to co-ordinate engagement with stakeholders. There will be further opportunities in future to feed into the strategy as its developed.

The workshops on the day generated a range of suggested priorities for each of the five habitats (wetlands, arable, grasslands, woodlands, and urban). These will provide a useful guide for future stakeholder engagement.

For nature to recover, we need to collaborate - so it was fantastic to see so many people and organisations working together.

The OLNP Forum is made up of passionate and knowledgeable representatives from across the environment sector. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us.