Local Nature Recovery Strategy

What is a Local Nature Recovery Strategy?

A Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a requirement from the Environment Act 2021. The aim of the LNRS is to:

• reverse biodiversity loss
• protect the important places for nature
• identify opportunities to restore or create it, where it can have the most benefit for wildlife and people

A draft LNRS was published for consultation in October 2025. Consultation has now ended and response are being analysed prior to the final LNRS being published next year.

What does our Local Nature Recovery Strategy contain?

The draft LNRS:

• contains 24 priorities for nature's recovery including one around urban nature
• includes over 100 practical actions, such as creating wildlife corridors and restoring ponds
• maps existing and potential areas for nature recovery

How can I find out more?

The draft LNRS can be viewed on the West Sussex County Council engagement hub. Hard copies of the LNRS will also be available to view in Jubilee Library.

A survey has been used to gather feedback. Residents, landowners, community groups and stakeholders were all encouraged to take part and help shape the future of nature locally.

The survey closed on Wednesday 26 November.

You can watch a webinar that tells you more about the LNRS by visiting Sussex Nature Recovery.

48 strategies are being prepared at county level across the whole of England. Across Sussex, there will be one LNRS for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, and one for West Sussex. These two LNRS have been prepared together to ensure a shared vision for nature across the area.

To find out more about the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and participate in the survey please visit the West Sussex County Council engagement hub.

More information on the background to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy can be found on Sussex Nature Recovery.