Local Nature Partnership Forum 25 March
Dorset LNP is one of 47 partnerships approved by the government to maximise the benefits of the environment for wildlife, people and the economy and was formed in 2013.
The LNP’s annual forum launched the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy which was led by Dorset Council as the Responsible Authority with BCP Council and Natural England as the Supporting Authorities. The event highlighted that the Nature Recovery Dorset Delivery, will comprise of the following new groups:
- Community Nature Forum
- Dorset Land Managers’ Group
- Local Nature Recovery Strategy Monitoring and Reporting Group, and
- Nature Recovery Dorset Communications group
The audience joined in asking questions of a panel of local nature recovery experts sitting on sofas and hosted by Farming in Dorset podcaster Lizzie McLaughlin before hearing from Toby Blume of Social Engine on how nature recovery could be achieved using Behavioural Science. Participants then applied different ideas to design responses to several case studies in workshop on their tables.
Cllr Andy Hadley from BCP Council, Cllr Nick Ireland of Dorset Council and Ian Alexander of Natural England closed the conference, with Cllr Ireland explaining landscapes are part of who we are, they shape our society, economy and sense of place. The Local Nature Recovery Delivery will be action rooted in evidence, working across the county, engaging communities. The forum was both a celebration and a call to action.
What has Dorset Council done for Nature restoration?
Outlining the council’s work over the last two years to conserve and enhance habitats, support species recovery and create opportunities for residents to connect with nature, the biodiversity report lists Dorset Council’s key achievements as including:
- Nearly 5,000 trees planted across council land
- Over 6,000m of new hedgerow grown
- 345,702m² of wildflower areas created
- 160,140m² of invasive species removed
- 25 natural flood management projects installed
- 62% of urban verges now managed specifically for wildlife
- 40% reduction in glyphosate use on the highway network
- More than £9 million invested in nature recovery through grants and stewardship schemes
Dorset Council also claims its country parks have recorded encouraging signs of wildlife resilience, including increases in breeding birds, butterflies and other species.
Council leader and cabinet member for climate Cllr Nick Ireland said: ‘This report shows how deeply the protection and restoration of nature is being built into the work of teams right across the council.
Rivers & Beaches
Work is underway with Dorset Council, the Local Nature Recovery, Dorset National Landscapes and the Catchment Partnerships to connect and support the ‘Citizen Science’ river monitoring and ecosystem restoration to their work and government trials and investment in flood resilience and nature-based catchment project.
DCAN’s website currently lists the active river groups across Dorsetso please get in touch if you are setting up a group.
Thanks to SuSAC for their text.