Nature strategy in Northamptonshire to help rare bees and voles
Rare species of bees, voles and dormice are among the creatures earmarked for protection in a new environmental plan.North Northamptonshire Council is only the second in the country to publish a nature recovery strategy, which is now required by law.The plan also involves restoring and protecting wetlands and woodlands.The council said it would help create a "thriving natural environment that supports wildlife [and] improves our quality of life".
The Environment Act 2021 requires nature recovery strategies to be created for every part of England.The plans have to include a map of local habitats and a statement of "biodiversity priorities" for the area.North Northamptonshire Council has become the first in its region and the second in the country to publish its strategy.
Several species have been identified as needing special protection, including the hazel dormouse, which could be encouraged to thrive by the use of nest boxes and reintroducing or relocating the animals.
Mink populations could be controlled or even eradicated to allow the reintroduction of water voles, and grassland could be connected to other habitat to support the rare red-shanked carder bee.Dr Richard Cormont, from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said: "The red-shanked carder bumblebee is a species which has declined for decades and is now thinly spread across southern England and Wales. "So it's great to see a large-scale grasslands-focused approach which will be key for the species in the county."
With a third of the area's woodland currently unmanaged, one of the priorities is connecting and expanding woodland to create "a mosaic of habitats that support a range of species".Landowners are being told the strategy is not about "telling people what to do"- it aims to provide options for land use.
John Torlesse, the deputy director of Natural England's West Anglia team, said: "Congratulations to North Northamptonshire Council and all those organisations and people who have been involved in creating this strategy."We now need to get behind its delivery, and Natural England is committed to doing all it can to support that."Helen Harrison, the council's executive member for green environment, said: "This strategy is about joined up, collaborative action."Together, we can achieve a thriving natural environment that supports wildlife, improves our quality of life, and contributes to the global fight against biodiversity loss."
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