Local nature recovery strategies are a Defra directed initiative to map nature recovery actions across England. They target actions in locations where they are most needed and where they provide the best environmental outcomes. The strategies will help to join up national efforts to reverse the decline of biodiversity. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed ‘responsible authorities’ to lead the preparation of the strategy for each area.We are currently undertaking the first cycle, with lots of room for responsible authorities to explore different ways to achieve the requirements. After this Cycle the team within Defra working across a whole suite of stakeholders will be reviewing the approaches taken in order to inform the cycle 2 guidance. This project has tested an additional, non standard step, so is the perfect candidate for review of learning and consideration of its potential benefits.
