What is the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a spatial strategy for nature recovery. Produced collaboratively with local people and organisations, it plans and maps Cumbria's priorities for nature recovery and measures we can take to achieve them, forming a local Nature Recovery Network.
LNRSs were introduced by the Environment Act 2021, and Cumbria is one of 48 in England. Together these join together to make a national Nature Recovery Network. LNRSs also align with the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan.
Once published, LNRSs are static but will be reviewed and updated every 3-10 years, when directed by Government.
The LNRS has two key, interactive elements that must be used together
- The Statement of Biodiversity Priorities
A written document with eight habitat or species-themed chapters- It outlines key habitats and species in Cumbria, describes their pressures and threats, and sets out a vision for their recovery
- It identifies priorities (what we want to achieve in 3–10 years) and potential measures (actions to achieve those priorities)
- The Local Habitat Map
An interactive map showing where the potential measures will have the most positive impact- It maps existing wildlife-rich habitats for enhancement and Areas of Particular Importance
- It highlights Nature Recovery Networks, which are areas where restoring or creating habitats will also make them more connected
Not all of the potential measures are mapped, for example, if they could be done Cumbria-wide. This is why it's important to use the Statement of Biodiversity Priorities and Local Habitat Map together
The habitats, priorities, and measures identified in the statement of biodiversity priorities are represented spatially on the map showing what could be done and where.
