Plot ideas to help nature on the interactive map

People are being urged to have their say on how best to protect and improve nature as the deadline for two surveys approaches.

The new Local Nature Recovery Strategy is being developed for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to protect nature and enable it to recover by conserving and improving habitats and biodiversity.

Two Making Space for Nature surveys have been launched to capture a wide range of views, ideas and suggestions on how nature can be improved and helped to recover in the area.

Details of actions already taken to help nature and ideas for the future can now be pinned on an interactive map.

So far the polls have received more than 750 responses – but time is running out for people to have their say as the polls close on Sunday 26 May.

Responses are welcome from all, but the survey organizers would particularly like to hear from under 18s and their parents, people aged 18-34, people of non-white heritage and residents from Leicester City, Oadby and Wigston, North West Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth.

Leicestershire County Council has been appointed as the ‘responsible authority’ to lead the development of the strategy, working closely with other local authorities, key land management stakeholders and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Organisations, including landowners, farmers, parish councils, environmental and nature groups and the public, are being asked to have their say to help develop the priorities that will be included in the strategy, which will identify sites for creating or improving habitat and to provide the greatest benefits to nature and the wider environment.

The other partners helping to oversee the development of the strategy are Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council, the seven Leicestershire district councils, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission, Natural England and the National Forestry Company.

More information and inquiries can be found on the county council website.