England is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, and the government has made legally binding commitments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. To help achieve this, Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are being introduced across 48 regions.
The White Rose Forest has been closely involved in translating this national ambition into local, practical action by assessing priority habitats, mapping where recovery is most needed and understanding how we can support delivery in West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire and York.
What is an LNRS?
A LNRS is a locally led, evidence-based plan that sets out priorities and practical actions to protect and improve habitats across a region, from woodlands and wetlands to meadows and riverbanks. Led by responsible authorities (North Yorkshire Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in North and West Yorkshire) and shaped with input from communities, landowners, non-governmental organisations and environmental experts, each strategy identifies the best places for nature recovery and the actions needed to achieve it. It is a statutory requirement for each responsible authority to prepare a LNRS, and it provides a shared plan for restoring nature and wildlife and creating greener, healthier places for people.
Why does it matter?
Each LNRS guides nature recovery where it will be most effective, influencing local planning, funding and conservation decisions. By coordinating efforts across landowners, communities and organisations, it helps restore habitats, protect nature and strengthen climate resilience. It also brings wider benefits such as improved health and wellbeing, cleaner air, greater food security and better protection from flooding, strengthening the resilience of local landscapes.
Our alignment and involvement
There are two LNRS that set out the priorities for nature recovery across West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire and York respectively, identifying the habitats such as ancient woodlands, wetlands, meadows and river catchments that most need protection, restoration or connection.
The long-term priorities for nature and our communities, as set out in the White Rose Forest 2025-2050 Strategic Plan, align closely with those identified in each LNRS. As a Community Forest partnership that includes all local, regional and landscape authorities across this geography, the White Rose Forest is perfectly placed to support LNRS delivery.
Nature recovery is at the heart of everything we do. The core team supporting the White Rose Forest provide expertise and delivery support for the planning and planting of new woodland and trees outside of woodland, and for sustainable long-term woodland management. That is why we have actively supported LNRS development by:
- Bringing specialist woodland expertise in design and management to the LNRS Advisory, Steering Groups and sub-groups;
- Delivering projects that boost biodiversity and increase access to nature for everyone and create greener, healthier places to live through our flagship delivery programmes: Green Streets and Landscapes for Water;
- Working with councils, farmers, community groups, charities and landowners across West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire and York to ensure a joined up collaborative approach through our Ancient Woodland Group and Community Forum;
- Championing both community benefit and environmental need, making sure people and place are considered together.
In practice, the LNRS sets the “what” and “where”, and the White Rose Forest supports the “how” especially for tree and woodland related action. Working together, through the White Rose Forest 2026-2031 Action Plan that is currently being developed, we will contribute to a more connected treescape across towns, cities and countryside; strengthen climate resilience; improve wellbeing; support food security and natural flood management; and drive long-term nature recovery across the region.
To read more about plans for nature recovery in West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire and York please visit:
- Please note the publication of the LNRS in West Yorkshire is expected later in the Spring of 2026