West Yorkshire Residents Invited to Shape Ambitious New Strategy to Restore Nature

Posted By: KLTVon: October 22, 2025In: Environment, News

Reading Time: 2 minutes

By KLTV Newsdesk –

A major public consultation has launched to help create the region’s first Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

People across West Yorkshire are being urged to have their say on the future of the region’s natural environment, as a major public consultation has launched to help shape a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The initiative comes at a crucial time, with wildlife and plant life in global decline.

England is among the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and Yorkshire’s own landscapes reflect this worrying trend.

Nearly half of the region’s rivers are damaged, most wetlands have been lost, and around 3,000 species are currently at risk.

These losses threaten not only biodiversity but also the natural systems that help protect communities, from flood prevention and clean air, to safe water supplies and cooler urban spaces.

A Regional Plan to Bring Nature Back

The proposed Local Nature Recovery Strategy is the first of its kind for West Yorkshire.

It outlines a framework for how local communities, organisations, and landowners can work together to protect wildlife, enhance green spaces, and make the region more resilient in the face of climate change.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This is our chance to bring nature back to every corner of West Yorkshire.

“Together, we can create a greener, more vibrant region that’s full of life for generations to come.”

Key Priorities for Nature Recovery

The draft plan identifies over 20 key priorities for restoring and protecting nature across the region. These include:

Restoring peatlands to improve carbon storage and reduce flooding.
Reviving rivers and wetlands to support wildlife and purify water.
Planting more trees and expanding urban greenery to create healthier, cooler towns and cities.

The strategy also emphasises the importance of water, described as West Yorkshire’s “big blue thread”, a vital resource for biodiversity, flood management, and community wellbeing.

Public Consultation and How to Take Part

The consultation is open until 16 November, giving residents a chance to help shape priorities and actions for nature recovery.

Participants can choose between a short or detailed online survey, both linked to an interactive Local Habitat Map, which allows users to explore their area and leave comments directly on the map.

Farmers and landowners are also being encouraged to take part through one-to-one sessions, where they can discuss how the strategy’s proposals could support sustainable land management.

A United Effort for a Greener Future

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority, working in partnership with regional organisations, will lead the delivery of the strategy.

It is one of 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies being developed across England to reverse the national decline in biodiversity and support Mayor Brabin’s environmental ambitions to tackle the climate emergency.