Have Your Say on Cornwall’s Nature Recovery Plans Next Week

Residents, farmers, businesses, and landowners are being invited to have their say on Cornwall’s new Local Nature Recovery Strategy, with two public drop-in sessions scheduled next week. The draft plans aim to guide nature recovery across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and feedback from the community is key to shaping the strategy’s final form.

Engagement Sessions in Launceston and Camborne

Cornwall Council, in partnership with the Local Nature Partnership and the Council of the Isles of Scilly, is holding two engagement sessions next week. These are open to anyone who would like to learn more about the draft document, which includes priorities, actions, and maps outlining the future of nature recovery in the region.

The drop-in sessions will take place at:

• Trethorne Golf Club, Launceston – 17th September, 1pm to 7pm
• Camborne Community Centre – 18th September, 10am to 7pm

There’s no need to book, and attendees will have the chance to chat with council officers, review the proposals, and offer feedback. The aim is to continue refining the strategy based on input from the local community.

How Nature Recovery Will Benefit Cornwall

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is designed to help Cornwall’s natural environment thrive, with a focus on how everyone can contribute. The draft plans outline actions for improving land, rivers, and seas, with a target for 30% of these areas to be well-managed for nature by 2030.

The plans have been developed in collaboration with the farming community, local businesses, environmental organisations, and other stakeholders, ensuring the strategy reflects the diverse needs of Cornwall’s residents and landscapes.

Cornwall’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Martyn Alvey, emphasised the importance of nature recovery, saying that Cornwall’s landscape, wildlife, and seas are a key part of the region’s identity. However, he noted the disappointment that the strategy doesn’t include the marine environment, which will be covered separately in a voluntary marine recovery framework.

For more details on the emerging Local Nature Recovery Strategy, visit the Cornwall Council Nature Recovery Hub.

Public Consultation and Funding Opportunities

The draft strategy will be available for public consultation later this year. Those interested in staying updated can sign up for the Local Nature Partnership’s newsletter or follow updates on the Nature Recovery Hub.

In addition to providing feedback, attendees at the drop-in sessions can explore opportunities for private funding for nature recovery projects. Cornwall Council’s Biodiversity Net Gain scheme and Local Investment in Nature project will be highlighted, offering potential benefits for businesses and landowners interested in contributing to the county’s ecological health.

The government has allocated £14 million to support councils in England in developing Local Nature Recovery Strategies. Cornwall Council will receive £343,692 to fulfil its legal duties under the Environment Act 2021, with backing from Natural England, the Environment Agency, and the Forestry Commission.

To make your own Pledge for Nature, visit the Cornwall Nature Partnership website.

What’s Next for Nature Recovery in Cornwall?

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is part of a broader plan to address the ecological emergency, with ambitious targets set for 2030. While the strategy doesn’t mandate changes for local landowners, it encourages everyone to play a role in nature recovery.

For more information on how you can get involved, or to learn about the separate marine nature recovery framework, head to the Marine Nature Recovery Hub. The work underway in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly reflects a commitment to protecting the region’s natural beauty and resources for generations to come.