A newly-launched strategy aims to restore wildlife across the Liverpool City Region, which has lost 5% of its habitats since the 1980s.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the UK has lost nearly 50% of its biodiversity, placing it in the top 10% most nature-depleted countries in the world. According to The Wildlife Trusts, North Merseyside has the highest density of Local Wildlife Sites in England.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy was created with support from local organisations and residents, alongside national bodies including Natural England, Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency.
Planning to restore 36 locally extinct plant and animal species, it will focus on areas most in need of help, such as wetlands, grasslands and farmlands.
Consultants identified priority species based on their conservation status, regional importance and the urgency of action needed.
The plan highlights species such as grey seals, red squirrels, otters, harbour porpoises, lizards and bitterns, alongside habitats and plant life including orchards, waxcap fungi, wild garlic and black poplar trees.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Our residents deserve to live in a greener, cleaner city region with thriving green spaces on their doorstep and protecting and sustaining our natural world will be key to achieving that ambition.”
The Liverpool City Region includes Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.]
A public survey in 2023 identified strong support for wildlife restoration, with 85% recognising access to nature as key to wellbeing.
Across the region, there are four internationally recognised wetlands, five European Special Protection Areas, three National Nature Reserves, 18 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 384 Local Wildlife Sites and 29 Local Nature Reserves.
Marking the first step of many, the final strategy was approved on 6th March, highlighting wider benefits including climate resilience and sustainable growth.
Lucy Abram, Natural England Deputy Director for the Cheshire to Lancashire Area Team, said: “The work in Liverpool is an excellent example of how local communities, land managers and conservation organisations can come together to protect and restore habitats and species that make our natural environment so special.”
(Featured Image by Eliana Hopwood, MAJ)
