What is a local nature recovery strategy and why do we need one?

The Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a spatial strategy for nature recovery. Produced collaboratively with local stakeholders, 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 make a national Nature Recovery Network. LNRSs also align with the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan.

Why we need it:

Biodiversity decline: England is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Since 1970, the abundance of freshwater and terrestrial species has fallen by 32%, and 1 in 6 species in Britain are at risk of extinction.
Local impact: Despite Cumbria’s natural beauty, its biodiversity has declined significantly in line with national trends.
Human benefits: Nature recovery is vital for people. Healthy environments provide nature-based solutions such as peatlands locking away carbon, wetlands slowing floodwater, and trees cleaning the air and cooling urban streets.
Strategic action: By following the Lawton principles—creating bigger, better, and more joined-up habitats—we can reverse these declines and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

England is widely considered to be one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1950s, hedgehogs are now an endangered species, and 1 in 6 species in Britain are at risk of extinction. Despite having some wildlife success stories and being a county renowned for its natural assets, biodiversity in Cumbria has declined significantly in line with national trends, and is continuing to do so.

By taking evidence, data, expert opinion, and including what is important to people and communities, the LNRS will not only recognise those habitats that are already of particular importance for biodiversity, but also identify areas that ‘could become of particular importance for biodiversity’.

This means everyone can make the best decisions for nature where they live and work, and lead to the creation of “nature-recovery networks” – bigger, better, and more connected places that provide a home for wildlife and deliver a healthy environment for people.