A new strategy aiming to restore and improve nature across Oxfordshire has been endorsed by West Oxfordshire District Council.
The Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, led by Oxfordshire County Council, includes actions to increase biodiversity, support wildlife, and deliver wider benefits such as carbon storage, pollination, and flood protection.
Councillor Andrew Prosser, executive member for climate change and nature recovery at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "This strategy sets a strong, shared vision for nature recovery in our county.
Councillor Andrew Prosser(Image: Contributed)
"With England recognised as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, by identifying the best opportunities to enhance biodiversity and connect wildlife habitats, we are able to work together to restore our ecosystems and respond to climate change."
The strategy identifies a priority network of habitats - existing and potential - covering more than 40 per cent of Oxfordshire.
In West Oxfordshire alone, nearly 41 per cent of land is included, supporting efforts toward the global 30 per cent nature protection target.
The strategy was developed through collaboration with local authorities, environmental organisations, and public consultation.
More than 2,100 responses were received during the consultation at the end of 2024.
Feedback highlighted the need for urban biodiversity, targeted species actions, and the importance of linking nature recovery to carbon sequestration - the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by plants.
West Oxfordshire District Council's response identified opportunities for nature recovery on council-owned land and drew on input from specialists in planning, ecology, flooding, ecology, climate, and economic development.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, executive member for environment at the district council, said: "The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a powerful tool for embedding nature into everything we do, from planning and housing to farming and the management of waterways.
"It is a big step forward in how we approach the environment at a local level, helping us prioritise the right action in the right place.
"Whether in towns, villages, or the countryside, nature recovery will benefit us all, improving health, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting more sustainable communities."
The strategy will guide habitat creation and enhancement under the statutory biodiversity net gain requirements for new developments.
It will also inform West Oxfordshire's new Local Plan 2041, shaping future growth and planning policy.
The council said the strategy provides long-term direction for nature recovery as local government reform continues across the county.
Councillor Prosser said: "Whether it's pond creation, hedgerow planting, or native wildflower meadows, we need to see more beneficial initiatives for both nature and people.