Get involved to get Derby and Derbyshire thriving with nature

Do you want to be involved in shaping plans to protect and prioritise nature in Derby and Derbyshire?

Derbyshire County Council is leading a project to plan how councils, businesses, landowners, land managers and other organisations will work together in the future to make sure nature and habitats on our doorsteps can thrive and survive.

Work to assess the location and condition of local habitats has already started and will form the basis of the plan, known as the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. 

Now local people, groups and organisations are also being invited to give their views about the long-term vision and actions needed for communities to work together to improve the natural environment across the city and county.

The University of Derby has been appointed by the county council to work with a wide range of interested groups, organisations and individuals to gather views and opinions. It will be working in partnership with community research and social innovation experts The Young Foundation and with the Social Higher Education Depot (S.H.E.D), a company that was set up by the University for public engagement work.

They are inviting local people to take part in a survey to give their thoughts on nature, share their experiences, and offer their views on the causes and effects of nature’s decline, and the potential actions to improve and enhance nature.

All of the comments will be used to help produce the strategy for local nature recovery, helping to make a real difference to the region's environment, people, communities and businesses.

You can take part in the 10 minute online survey by clicking here or give your views on what is important for nature in your area at one of a face-to-face workshop in our area, lasting three hours and to be held on Tuesday 10th September from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Lonsdale House, Derby, DE1 3HD

There will also be a series of online events focussing on particular habitat types running in September. To book a place at one of these face-to-face or online sessions, or for more information, please contact Jasper.Morvaridi @ youngfoundation.org 

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “When nature thrives, we all benefit and we need to take action now to protect our environment for tomorrow.

“That’s why we’re putting together a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to put plans in place to ensure habitats are restored and improved and nature is protected and prioritised, in all we do, now and in the future.

“The success of the strategy relies heavily on input from a wide range of people and organisations in Derby and Derbyshire and we’re pleased to welcome the University of Derby, The Young Foundation and S.H.E.D on board to help capture the comments and views of key groups and figures about what’s needed to help nature on our doorstep to thrive for generations to come.

“Please take the opportunity to share your views either online through the University of Derby’s survey or by coming along to one of the drop-in sessions taking place across the county.”

Professor Keith McLay, Provost – Learning & Teaching at the University of Derby said: “We are delighted to be working with Derbyshire County Council to help shape Derbyshire’s first Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which aligns with the goals and values set out in our Civic University Agreement. This is a cross-university research project combining efforts from staff in the Colleges of Business, Law and Social Sciences, and Health, Psychology and Social Care, as well as insights on public engagement from our Civic team.”

The county council is one of 48 councils which has been given a statutory duty to lead the creation of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for their area in partnership with other local groups and organisations. 

Local people will have a chance to comment on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire (including the city of Derby) in a public consultation due to be launched in January 2025.

To find out more visit www.derbyshirenaturerecovery.co.uk

To receive the latest updates about the project, you can also subscribe to receive a newsletter emailed direct to your inbox.