Wiltshire and Swindon are taking important steps toward environmental restoration with the launch of their Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), inviting public input for six weeks to pave the way for the future of biodiversity.
The public consultation, initiated on March 6, 2025, aims to gather insights from residents, landowners, and organizations, encouraging them to help shape the future of nature’s recovery across the county. Through this engagement, the Wiltshire Council wishes to review and refine its draft strategy based on community feedback.
Councillor Dominic Muns, cabinet member for environment, emphasized the urgency of this strategy by stating, “The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with one in six species threatened with extinction.” The LNRS is being crafted to identify key species, priority habitats, and practical measures required to expand, restore, and connect natural resources across the region.
Working collaboratively with organizations such as Natural England, the RSPB, and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the strategy will encompass scientific rigor as well as local relevance, ensuring it serves to combat biodiversity loss effectively.
Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment and transport, noted, “The LNRS will help us achieve a fairer and greener Swindon by ensuring developers prioritize biodiversity net gain and our communities benefit from a healthier natural environment.”
The consultation process will conclude on April 16, 2025, after which the council will analyze the gathered feedback to refine and finalize the LNRS. Residents are encouraged to visit the Wiltshire Council website to review the draft strategy and make their voices heard.
By integrating local community insights, Wiltshire and Swindon are taking significant strides toward reversing the trend of nature depletion and enhancing biodiversity. The outcomes of this initiative will be pivotal for local ecosystems and community well-being as efforts are made to align human activities with ecological needs.