Oxfordshire unveils ambitious local nature recovery strategy

Oxfordshire has today launched its local nature recovery strategy (LNRS) – an ambitious, evidence-led roadmap influenced by local people and organisations.

Since 2023, Oxfordshire County Council has been working in partnership to reverse the decline of wildlife, restoring habitats, and ensuring that coordinated nature recovery is embedded in Oxfordshire’s future. Partner organisations span nature conservation, farming, forestry, rural and local businesses, local authorities, education, and community groups.

The Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership (OLNP) has played a central role in both shaping the strategy and supporting its launch, bringing together expertise from across the environmental, land management and community sectors. Through ongoing collaboration, strategic guidance and practical coordination, the partnership has helped inform the evidence base, steer priorities and support delivery planning. The OLNP has also convened Local Nature Partnerships from across the country to give nature a voice nationally, calling for LNRS to have a stronger role in the planning system.

The LNRS is designed to restore and reconnect the county’s natural environment to build local resilience against flooding and climate change to benefit for generations to come.

Over many months, this partnership has met people, listened to local priorities and crafted a set of targeted actions. These include an innovative, interactive map that guides nature recovery efforts to areas that could become particularly important for biodiversity, offering every corner of Oxfordshire the chance to play its part in this collective endeavour.
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Richard Benwell, Chair of Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership and CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “Our LNRS is a treasure map, setting a path to make Oxfordshire rich in nature. The strategy is an amazing team effort, but the plan won't happen by itself. Now it’s up to us all to bring the plan to life.

“Politicians must follow the plan in planning decisions and budgets. Land managers should figure out how their patch can be part of a thriving landscape. Businesses and communities need to step up with investment and commitment.

“Restoring nature is a huge task, but if we keep the spirit of positivity, good science and collaboration alive, it really is possible.”

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “This is not simply a document – it is a call to action, a statement of hope and a promise to future generations. Together, we will forge the path towards a county where wildlife flourishes, nature is part of our daily lives, and the benefits of a vibrant natural environment are secured for all.

“All local people, organisations and authorities are the delivery partners of the LNRS. There is something for everyone to do whether it’s creating a pond, managing your garden for wildlife, creating habitats at school, creating arable wildflower strips, managing an ancient woodland or reintroducing beavers.

“Let’s recover nature, together – Oxfordshire’s future depends on it.”

The development of the strategy has been a collaborative journey. From the outset, there has been a deep commitment to drawing on the knowledge, passion and vision of Oxfordshire’s local people and organisations.

The engagement process was extensive, culminating in a formal public consultation that generated more than 2,000 responses to the strategy documents and the pioneering mapping tool. The outcome was overwhelmingly positive, with communities, stakeholders and individuals voicing support for the direction and priorities set out in the strategy.

Since the consultation, the LNRS has further developed the documents and map to improve the strategy further and the final version is now live.

Chloe Edwards, Oxfordshire County Council’s LNRS Project Manager, said: “The LNRS is poised to empower communities at the grassroots, offering a powerful framework to direct energy and resources towards habitat and species work where they could offer great benefits.

“By putting this strategy into action, Oxfordshire stands ready to realise the vision of a well-connected, biodiversity rich network of nature – one that is resilient to future challenges, restored not only for the health and wellbeing of people but for nature’s own intrinsic value.”

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said: “I welcome this strategy as an opportunity to create bigger, better and more joined up areas for nature in Oxfordshire, benefitting local communities, alleviate flooding, making landscapes more climate resilient and improving health and wellbeing.

“This is an important step in the effort to recover nature and support prosperity in the county for the future.”

The strategy is now expected to be used by funding bodies, local authorities, planners and other investors in nature to focus their funding, support and finance towards those locations and actions that could offer the greatest benefits for nature.

To ensure Oxfordshire’s nature recovery ambitions are realised and remain relevant, the strategy is underpinned by a strong commitment to monitoring and evaluation.

Oxfordshire County Council will be responsible for tracking, assessing and reporting on the progress of nature recovery actions across the county. Over the next three to 10 years, in line with government requirements, the strategy and its interactive map will be formally reviewed and republished, enabling adaptation to changing local habitats, evolving community priorities and the latest scientific data.

This ongoing process of evaluation will ensure the strategy continues to deliver real and lasting benefits for people and nature alike.

More information, including the LNRS map, are available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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