Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a tool designed to guide action for nature recovery. They were introduced by the Environment Act 2021 to help achieve the targets set out in the Government's Environmental Improvement Plan, build the Nature Recovery network and improve nature locally for the benefit of wildlife and people.

The strategy is made up of two parts: 

• Statement of Biodiversity Priorities: Using local knowledge and expertise the statement will describe Greater Lincolnshire and its biodiversity, and will identify local priorities and potential opportunities for recovering or improving biodiversity. The Statement will propose ways to achieve those priorities known as "measures" or "actions". 
• Local Habitat Map: Showing areas of existing good habitat, and areas of opportunity to recover nature that also provide wider benefits e.g natural flood management. Once the strategy is reviewed, the map will also show where nature recovery actions have been taken that help achieve the priorities identified in the Statement of Biodiversity Priorities

England is widely considered to be one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world following historic and ongoing declines. Government has made legally-binding commitments to end these declines and aid nature recovery.

Each LNRS will agree priorities for nature recovery and propose actions in locations where it would make a positive contribution to achieving those priorities.

The LNRS will be used, in planning, as a tool by decision makers to help guide mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Farmers and land managers will be able to use the LNRS to understand the potential of their land for strategic nature recovery actions, which will be supported through funding from Environmental Land Management Schemes and other funding mechanisms.

The Greater Lincolnshire LNRS will map and prioritise areas for nature recovery, offering the following benefits:

• Aiding delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG),
• Guiding funding and investment,
• Helping identify where nature recovery actions can deliver nature-based solutions, such as flood defence or carbon sequestration,
• Aim to reverse the decline in species abundance and improve the state of protected sites.

The Greater Lincolnshire LNRS will be published in June 2026.

Updates on progress will be shown on the website as and when progress is made.

The Greater Lincolnshire LNRS will cover the historic county of Lincolnshire, including North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. As the responsible authority, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), along with other partners involved in developing the strategy, has the freedom to decide its format. However, every strategy is required to include the following:

1. A local habitat map.
2. A written statement of biodiversity priorities.

Together, they define the aims of the strategy and identify practical actions to accomplish them. Additionally, optimal locations will be identified for where these actions could be carried out to maximise their impact and enhance the connectivity and expansion of critical areas for nature.

As the responsible authority, we are expected to adhere to the following principles:

1. Transparency - Demonstrate how contributions from partners have been evaluated, the decision-making process, and the reasoning behind those decisions.
2. Inclusivity - Ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to participate whenever feasible.
3. Clear communication - Use straightforward language and avoid technical jargon that might not be understood by partners or end users.

We have adhered to these principles throughout our meetings with stakeholders, online engagement and public engagement events.

The Greater Lincolnshire LNRS will integrate across administrative/ local authority borders with neighbouring LNRSs through collaborative working to develop shared objectives and priorities for areas near strategy boundaries.

We are engaging with neighbouring authorities, sharing data and expertise, and aligning strategies to create a more cohesive approach to nature recovery, ensuring continuity of action across landscapes. This will aid ecological connectivity across borders to help movement of wildlife and improve overall biodiversity.

The LNRS will identify existing land designations for nature conservation, such as Local Nature Reserves and Local Wildlife Sites, as well as irreplaceable habitats, such as Ancient Woodland. The areas will be referred to as ‘Areas of particular importance for biodiversity’. Areas of particular importance for biodiversity will be determined through the LNRS process, including stakeholder feedback. Additionally, the LNRS will feature areas where future efforts and funding should be concentrated to meet shared priorities for nature, termed ‘Areas that could become of particular importance’. Both of these areas will be represented on the LNRS map, also called the ‘Local habitat map.’ They will highlight opportunities to expand, improve or connect natural habitats, alongside delivering wider environmental benefits.

These mapped areas will guide efforts to maximise nature recovery and inform land management decisions. However, the LNRS does not provide any legal protection, restrict alternative land uses, or grant permission to create habitats or alter land use without consulting the necessary specialists, statutory consultees, or obtaining relevant permissions. There is no obligation to implement any particular actions for land identified in the LNRS. 

For advice on progressing nature recovery on land in Lincolnshire, you can contact the Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (GLincs LNRS) via email info@glincslnrs.org.uk.

Or write to us at:

Lincolnshire County Council (Natural Environment Team),

County Offices,

Newland,

Lincoln,

LN1 1YL

Alternatively, our partners at Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (GLNP) and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust offer guidance on species introductions, site management, available grants, and wildflower sourcing. Additionally, Lincolnshire County Council provides information and resources for farmers and landowners.

More information about the Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) can be found by following the link below:

• GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-nature-recovery-strategies/local-nature-recovery-strategies

More information specifically relating to the Greater Lincolnshire LNRS can be found by following the links below:

• GLincslnrs website: Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy - Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy​​​​​​
• Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (GLNP): https://glnp.org.uk/our-services/nature-strategy 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has appointed 48 ‘responsible authorities’ to lead on preparing a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for their area. Together these 48 strategy areas cover the whole of England with no gaps or overlaps.

The responsible authority for the LNRS for Greater Lincolnshire is Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). To produce the Greater Lincolnshire LNRS, LCC  work in close partnership with North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership, with support and guidance from Natural England.

Practical, achievable proposals will be developed with the input of other stakeholders and individuals who know and understand the Greater Lincolnshire area, especially landowners and land managers.

We will provide local leadership to draw together knowledge, expertise and the best available information and data. Progress will be reviewed periodically and updates to the  strategy will reflect what has been done and where more action is needed.

No, it is not a mandatory requirement to participate in the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

The Greater Lincolnshire LNRS must identify realistic and achievable actions for nature recovery, which will involve engagement with local landowners and land managers. The views of farmers and landowners is key to helping ground-truth evidence gathered through the LNRS, as well as highlighting opportunities they see on their land, and working with them to understand how these might be delivered and supported through action and funding.

The actions outlined in the LNRS are designed to be practical and developed collaboratively with land managers. They are not compulsory but aim to guide efforts and funding toward achieving key priorities. Additionally, landowners have the option to exclude themselves from the final maps at any stage of the process, including during the final public consultation phase.

The LNRS aims to engage a wide range of local stakeholders in setting priorities for nature recovery at the county level. Together, they will identify possible actions to achieve these goals and determine the areas where such efforts would have the greatest impact.

To ensure these actions are both practical and achievable, we have engaged with  landowners and land managers in Greater Lincolnshire throughout the LNRS process, offering them opportunities to share their insights into possible actions on their land. Collaboratively, we will explore how these opportunities can be implemented and supported through targeted action and funding. There will be future engagement opportunities through the public consultation phase.

LNRSs aim to highlight the most effective actions for nature recovery efforts within their area. There is no obligation to implement any particular actions for land identified in the LNRS. Actions are not compulsory but aim to guide efforts and funding toward achieving key priorities, as well as inform land management decisions.

The LNRS does not provide any legal protection, restrict alternative land uses, or grant permission to create habitats or alter land use without consulting the necessary specialists, statutory consultees, or obtaining relevant permissions.

Additionally, landowners have the option to exclude themselves from the final maps at any stage of the process, including during the final public consultation phase.

No. As part of the LNRS process, high-level maps are being created which will use existing ecological and land management data.

These maps will illustrate the following:

• Highlight areas where locally or nationally significant habitats and species currently exist or previously thrived
• Identify opportunities to preserve, enhance, or establish these areas to support biodiversity and broader environmental benefits

While detailed mapping of individual land parcels is not expected, landowner and land managers’ insights are crucial in ground-truthing:

1. The evidence that we have collected

2. The priorities and actions that we have listed and mapped

Agri-environment schemes provide financial support to farmers and land managers for implementing environmentally beneficial practices. LNRSs compliment existing schemes, rather than replacing them, by helping farmers and landowners identify actions that could bring significant ecological benefits to their area.

These strategies will facilitate collaboration among land managers, allowing them to coordinate efforts across different areas and enhance ecological connectivity. They will serve as a valuable resource for land managers seeking funding, especially those aiming to implement more targeted environmental initiatives, such as Landscape Recovery projects.

As LNRSs are introduced across England, the government will seek ways to enhance alignment between these strategies and funding initiatives. This may include evaluating how applications can contribute to the effective delivery of LNRS objectives.

In May 2024, the government committed to placing tenants at the core of efforts to strengthen the rural economy. Recent updates to some agri-environment schemes now allow tenants to apply without requiring landlord consent and to enter into shorter agreements.

In Greater Lincolnshire, we aim to engage with all farmers in the LNRS process, helping to identify their role in supporting nature recovery.