Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a key component of the Environment Act 2021 in England. They are a new, England-wide system of spatial strategies designed to drive nature's recovery and provide wider environmental benefits. Each strategy is locally led to represent local needs and priorities.

Each LNRS consists of:

• A statement of biodiversity priorities: This is a written document outlining the priorities for species and habitats within the region.
• A local habitat map: This map identifies the most valuable existing areas for nature and proposes specific locations for creating or improving habitats.

The main goal of LNRSs is to help reverse the trend of ecological decline and accelerate nature recovery in England.

By targeting efforts where they will have the most impact, they aim to create a more coherent and connected "Nature Recovery Network" across the country.

Nature recovery is the process of restoring, improving, and connecting natural habitats to create resilient ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.

It aims to reverse biodiversity loss and build landscapes that provide essential ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, and help address climate change.

The ultimate goal is to establish a national ecological network, like the Nature Recovery Network in England, which integrates wildlife-rich areas from cities to coastlines.

Nature recovery is a major policy ambition in the UK, underpinned by legislation like the Environment Act 2021 and initiatives like Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

It aims to be a collaborative effort, involving government bodies, local communities, businesses, farmers, and private landowners, all working together to create a thriving natural environment.

There are 48 LNRS areas across England, with no gaps or overlaps. A 'responsible authority', typically a local council or combined authority, has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to lead the preparation of each strategy. They are required to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including landowners, farmers, environmental charities, businesses, and local communities.

In Herefordshire the responsible authority is Herefordshire Council, supported by Natural England, Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency, alongside a wider steering group comprised of the Wildlife Trust, CLA, NFU, local advocacy groups, and climate and nature boards.

No, the LNRS is not a delivery plan and will not force landowners or managers to make changes.

It serves as a guide and an enabler for voluntary action, highlighting where efforts would have the greatest benefit for nature.

The LNRS highlights areas where there may be an opportunity for nature recovery, and this can be an advantage. For example, land identified as a priority location for nature recovery gets a 15% uplift in value for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units, which can be a financial incentive.

LNRSs must be reviewed, updated, and republished every 3 to 10 years, as instructed by the Secretary of State. This process ensures that the strategies remain relevant and can track the progress of nature recovery over time.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) differ from previous biodiversity strategies by being statutory, spatially targeted, and integrated with funding and policy.

Key differences:

• Statutory status: Unlike previous, non-statutory plans, LNRSs are legally required under the Environment Act 2021. This gives them greater authority and a direct link to government action.
• Spatial mapping: LNRSs move beyond general goals by including a local habitat map. This map pinpoints Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIBs) and identifies specific Areas that Could Become Important (ACIBs), making them a tangible planning tool.
• Integrated with policy: The strategies are a crucial part of new environmental policies. They are the spatial targeting mechanism for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and guide where public funding, like the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), can be most effectively used.
• Focus on recovery: While older strategies focused on conservation, LNRSs are explicitly about active recovery. They aim to create a bigger, better, and more connected Nature Recovery Network across the country, building on the principles of the Lawton Report.

Participation in an LNRS is voluntary and the strategies are not legally binding. Being identified on the map does not impose restrictions on the land or prevent its development. Instead, the strategy is intended to work as an evidence base to inform what actions on the ground might have the greatest outcome for nature.

These are areas that are already considered important for nature in planning terms. They include a range of existing designated sites and habitats, such as:

• National conservation sites (like Sites of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSIs)
• Local Nature Reserves
• Local Wildlife Sites
• Areas of "irreplaceable habitats", like ancient woodlands or veteran trees

APIBs are essentially the starting point for nature recovery. They are the existing core, high-value areas of a region's ecological network that need to be protected and enhanced. This isn't to say that there isn't other existing high quality habitat outside of APIBs, each of the 48 LNRSs across the country need to start with the same base so only sites identified as important in legislation are identified at this first stage.

These are the proposed locations for creating and restoring new habitats. The LNRS identifies these areas as the best places to take action to connect and expand the existing APIBs, thereby building a more resilient and functional Nature Recovery Network.

The distinction between APIBs and ACIBs is crucial because they serve different purposes within the LNRS. APIBs are about protecting and highlighting what we already have, while ACIBs are about where to invest for the future to create a "bigger, better, and more joined-up" natural environment.

Priorities are the strategic outcomes or goals for nature's recovery in a specific area. They are the 'what' the LNRS aims to achieve, such as 'more and better-connected species-rich grasslands' or 'a resilient and naturally functioning river network'. Priorities are set collaboratively and reflect both local needs and national environmental targets.

Measures are the specific, on-the-ground actions proposed to achieve the priorities. They are the 'how' of the LNRS, such as 'plant new native hedgerows', 'restore wetlands', or 'introduce extensive grazing'. Measures are practical, but not prescriptive - they inform and guide voluntary action rather than imposing it. They are often mapped to show where they will have the most significant impact.

Each of the proposed measures contains a link to a separate organisation that will be able to provide more information relating to the specific measures.

You can also contact the Local Nature Recovery team at naturerecovery@herefordshire.gov.uk and we will be able to help you either directly or by helping you find the correct organisation that can solve your query.

It is important to note that the strategies are designed to be a tool for opportunity, not a restriction. Being included on the map signals that your land is in a location where nature recovery efforts are strategically valuable. This can be a significant advantage, as it can help you access funding for nature-friendly practices through schemes like the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) and potentially earn a higher value for biodiversity units if you choose to participate in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) projects.

If you still feel strongly that you'd like your land removed, then during the public consultation phase it is possible to request your land is removed from the strategy. Please email naturerecovery@herefordshire.gov.uk for further details.

Once the strategy is published, post public consultation, the habitat priorities or measures areas cannot be removed from or added to the map.

Please provide your feedback during the public consultation from 5 February to 22 March 2026. Feedback will be reviewed and considered ahead of final publication.

Councils justify spending on LNRS by framing it as a strategic investment to deliver long-term benefits, while fulfilling a legal duty that the Environment Act 2021 makes creating an LNRS a mandatory duty for councils, so they must allocate resources to it.

The main reason councils can afford to develop LNRSs is that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) provides direct funding for the task. This is considered a 'new burdens' payment, acknowledging that this is a new statutory duty imposed on councils by the Environment Act 2021. This funding helps cover the initial costs of the project, including staff time, data collection, and public engagement. This means that councils are not solely relying on their own already strained budgets.

Additionally, LNRS is a tool to attract private investment for nature projects (via Biodiversity Net Gain) and to deliver long-term savings by providing nature-based solutions for flood defence, public health, and climate resilience.