'Conservation Target Areas' (CTAs) identify some of the most important areas for wildlife conservation in Oxfordshire where targeted conservation action will have the greatest benefit. CTAs cover just over 20% of the county by area (526.2 km²) and contain 95% of the SSSI land area in Oxfordshire.
Created by the Biodiversity Advisory Group, each of the 39 CTAs supports one or more of the 20 priority habitats found in Oxfordshire. The CTA maps show where the greatest gains can be made from habitat enhancement, restoration and creation, as these areas offer the best opportunities for establishing large habitat areas and/or networks of wildlife habitats. CTAs remain a useful guide in tandem with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which is now the primary resource for identifying opportunities for habitat creation and enhancement.
Each CTA has a nominated lead, and these CTA leads meet bi-annually to share best practice. Wild Oxfordshire supports this valuable network.
CTAs have historically been used in local planning in Oxfordshire, to identify areas of priority for biodiversity. With the advent of Local Nature Recovery Strategies CTAs will no longer serve this function within the planning system, being replaced by the priority areas in the LNRS mapping.
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