Cumbria Local Nature Partnership

It's one of c. 50 Local Nature Partnerships across England.  The CLNP is the only nature partnership which represents and works across the whole of Cumbria; acting as a hub for nature - focused planning and action. Its functions include:

• Acting as an advocate for the natural environment in Cumbria;
• Coordinating delivery for the natural environment;
• Acting as a forum for the stakeholders in Cumbria’s natural environment;
• Providing input on the natural environment for local policies, plans and frameworks;
• Providing information/data on the natural environment.

Which organisations are involved in the Cumbria Local Nature Partnership?

Cumbria Local Nature Partnership consists of a wide range of organisations including:
•    statutory agencies
•    environmental organisations
•    local authorities, National Park Authorities and AONB
•    representatives of farming and landowning interests
•    research and educational institutions
•    businesses, voluntary organisations and community groups

The work of the CLNP is overseen and co-ordinated by a Board (see membership) and an independent Chair, and supported by a Partnership Manager.

The Cumbria Local Nature Partnership's vision for the environment of Cumbria is:

“Cumbria is a place where consideration for the environment informs every decision making process and where the environment is managed to provide a wide range of benefits for nature, people and the economy. In Cumbria nature’s role within the landscape is understood and valued by all”.

Over the coming year the CLNP will be focusing its effort on driving forward ‘Nature Recovery’ in Cumbria, and in particular supporting the preparation and then delivery of Cumbria’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. By doing this we aim to make the creation of a Nature Recovery Network a reality.

Cumbria’s Nature Recovery Network

Cumbria has an amazing range of landscapes and geology, supporting a diverse and rich wildlife. However, despite considerable amounts of work by land managers, and some great wildlife success stories, we continue to witness the decline of nature in Cumbria as climate change, development pressure, land management and modern-day life impact on our natural environment.

Once common species have become rare and wildlife habitats have been lost, degraded or fragmented. We rely on our natural systems to provide essentials such as food, clean air and water, and it also underpins the quality of our lives by supporting health, recreation and fulfilment.  

It is essential that we restore our natural environment, bringing back habitats and species we have lost and ensuring that we pass on a healthy and vibrant natural environment, and the wildlife it supports, to future generations. 

Our vision for Nature Recovery in Cumbria (PDF) is aligned with that of the developing Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Strategy:

“Cumbria’s wildlife in rural, urban and coastal places will be actively looked after and treasured. Healthy ecosystems on land and sea will support a sustainable local economy valued for its natural assets and contribute to the wellbeing of residents and visitors.”

The development of a Nature Recovery Network (NRN) is a major commitment in the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and enacted by the Environment Act 2021. Partners, legislation, and funding need to work together to create the NRN - a national network of wildlife-rich places connected across our cities, towns, countryside and coast. This will be delivered through:

• Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) which will align local priorities and national need and will help to effectively target action for nature. 
• Strong partnerships to deliver action on the ground including local government, landowners/managers, business, local communities and conservation organisations.
• Integration of policies and funding streams to maximise opportunities for nature recovery and secure new funding (public and private).  This includes effective application of policies such as Biodiversity Net Gain and new farming incentives.

Although the Nature Recovery Network will become a physical network on the ground, with healthy habitats, rivers, lakes and coast, its vision and approach will be expressed and prioritised through the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.  

Cumbria’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a new mandatory system of spatial strategies for nature established by the Environment Act 2021. They are designed to encourage and help the public, private and voluntary sectors deliver more coordinated practical and focused action and investment in nature.

For each area that they cover, LNRS will agree priorities for nature’s recovery, map the most valuable existing habitat for nature, and map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals. Key to achieving this will be creating genuine local collaboration with a partnership of organisations and individuals working closely with each “responsible authority”.

Westmorland and Furness Council are acting as the “responsible authority” (appointed by the Defra Secretary of State), for a Cumbria-wider LNRS, however as this is expected to be a collaborative approach with Cumberland Council and the two National Parks. Working with land managers/owners, business, local communities and organisations this will provide a locally owned strategy to support the creation of a Nature Recovery Network.

This is in turn will help achieve wider environmental objectives (like carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change or managing flood risk) and contribute to green economic recovery objectives.

Documents:

Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Partnership (CLNP) Nature Recovery Network (NRN) paper (pdf)

Partner/Partnership websites:

Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Council plan | Westmorland and Furness Council

About your council | Cumberland Council

UK's Largest Woodland Conservation Charity - Woodland Trust

Find out about the NFU – NFU online

Environment Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Natural England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Discover the UK's natural environment | National Trust

Unleashing Potential Through Partnership – Networking, employment & tourism in Cumbria | Cumbria LEP (CLEP) (thecumbrialep.co.uk)

Cumbria’s Rivers Trusts:

Eden Rivers Trust

West Cumbria Rivers Trust

South Cumbria Rivers Trust

Lune Rivers Trust

Archived documents:

Cumbria Local Nature Partnership Strategy 2015-2022 document (pdf)

Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Summary document (pdf)

Further information

If you'd like to find out more about the CLNP and its work, please email Jody Ferguson, Cumbria Local Nature Partnership Manager.