Residents across Worcestershire are being asked to help shape a brand-new pioneering strategy to help protect the local environment. 

Worcestershire County Council has today (Monday, January 15) launched a public consultation to inform the preparation of the countywide scheme which will help improve nature spots in the area. 

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Worcestershire will be one of 48 across England and key in the delivery of a national Nature Recovery Network of sites. 

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for environment, Richard Morris, said: "This strategy will show our vision for protecting and enhancing Worcestershire's wonderful environment. 

"The potential for Worcestershire to contribute to this Nature Recovery Network is vast with our nationally important wildflower meadows, traditional orchards, ancient woodlands and trees, and floodplain habitats such as wet grassland, fen, marsh and wet woodland.

"Equally important are the valuable pockets of nature-rich habitat within our towns and villages, where people can see, hear and experience nature on their doorstep."

The LNRS is a new type of plan for nature and environmental improvement and is a legal requirement of the Environment Act 2021.

The county council has been appointed as the Responsible Authority to lead the preparation of the scheme in Worcestershire with support from the six district councils and Natural England. 

Each LNRS will contain a locally agreed 'Statement of Biodiversity Priorities' and a Local Habitat Map. 

Once adopted, the LNRS will be a way for anyone to view the agreed nature recovery priorities in a location and determine what practical action could be delivered to achieve those priorities.

The first stage of the consultation will ask residents what the local threats and priorities should be for nature's recovery and where the opportunities are within the county to deliver bigger and better improvements. 

Mr Morris added: "Whether you are a school, volunteer organisation, business or individual, show us how you contribute or are looking to contribute, whether it’s a new meadow, tree planting, wetland, support for hedgehogs or anything else that could have a positive impact on our environment.”

The consultation will run from Monday, January 15 to Friday, February 23. 

The second stage of consultations will take place later this year on a full draft of the strategy. 

To take part in the consultation visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/lnrs