New approach to protecting Leicestershire's natural environment

The county council are launching 'Action for Nature' which outlines areas they need to focus on.

In particular the plan deals with rivers and wetlands such as the River Anker and parts of the River Soar near Quorn, and a decline in mature trees and grassland areas. It also identifies a number of broad areas for action including:

• Improving the land management practices on land directly owned or managed by the Council and supporting the tenants of Council land to do the same
• Ensuring biodiversity is included in the development of council policies, plans and projects and adding value to the plans of other partner organisations where possible
• Supporting awareness raising and education on biodiversity
• Maintaining and developing local data on the county’s natural environment
• Identifying opportunities that benefit ecosystems on county council owned land

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for environment, said: “Our new blueprint is a vital piece of work. It will outline where we need to focus our actions and on which key areas – such as tree management, looking after our country parks and raising awareness of the county’s biodiversity and how people can help to protect it . These measures will help us achieve our ultimate aim becoming a net zero county by 2045.”