What is the Local Nature Recovery Strategy?

A Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a spatial strategy required by the Environment Act 2021. It will set out local priorities to restore and enhance habitats and recover populations of species.

The Herefordshire LNRS is one of 48 LNRSs, which together will completely cover England and support national policies for nature recovery. This strategy is aimed at reversing the ongoing decline of nature and biodiversity in England, through practical and coordinated action of the implementation of the Nature Recovery Network on a local level.

In its capacity as local authority, Herefordshire Council is the designated 'Responsible Authority' for the Herefordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Read the LNRS summary document

Purpose of the LNRS

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) brings together existing data on Herefordshire's environment, and works with local partners to create a clear plan for nature recovery. It sets out goals, practical actions, and sustainable solutions to restore biodiversity and ecological balance.

LNRS helps design tailored local plans by uniting agencies, landowners, and communities to provide recommendations on priorities and measures and the preferred locations that will provide the best results for nature recovery. It will encourage partners to take coordinated action and monitor results. It also encourages local groups to support and maintain long-term ecological improvements.

What the LNRS includes

The LNRS is made up of two elements, a written statement of biodiversity priorities and a local habitat map, which together provide:

• A description of the current state of nature throughout Herefordshire
• A list of priorities and actions for nature's recovery
• A map of the most valuable existing areas for nature
• A map of specific proposals for creating and improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals

There are also supporting documents that detail the process of creating the strategy.

Who has been involved

The LNRS has been undertaken by Herefordshire Council working with a Steering Group of stakeholders including:

• Natural England
• Environment Agency
• Forestry Commission
• Herefordshire Wildlife Trust
• Representatives from the National Landscapes
• Landowner representation through the CLA and NFU
• Wye and Usk Foundation
• Herefordshire Biological Records Centre

It has also drawn in local stakeholders, conservation bodies, species and habitat recording groups, and landowners as key partners in setting the strategy and delivering the actions.

How you can get involved

A public consultation on the draft LNRS started on Thursday 5 February and closes on Sunday 22 March 2026.

Any feedback is appreciated and will be considered. Please complete the survey on the consultation page or email us at NatureRecovery@herefordshire.gov.uk

Take part in the consultation

Looking ahead

Once the LNRS is finalised, it will be formally adopted by Herefordshire Council and registered with DEFRA.

Herefordshire Council will then be responsible for leading and convening delivery partnerships, embedding the LNRS into local decision making, identifying strategic projects and facilitating delivery, and finally, monitoring and reporting.

The strategy will be reviewed every 3 to 10 years, in accordance with the LNRS regulations and Secretary of State instruction.

Contact us

If you require support, assistance or have any questions please email NatureRecovery@herefordshire.gov.uk or call 01432 260708.

You may also find the answer to your question on the LNRS FAQs page.