We’re excited to share that Surrey County Council has now formally launched the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and Surrey Nature Partnership will be a key delivery partner.
The Surrey LNRS is part of a national network of 48 strategies designed to halt and reverse the decline of nature across England, identifying the places where targeted action will deliver the greatest benefits for wildlife, habitats, and the wider environment. Surrey County Council was appointed by DEFRA as the Responsible Authority for developing the strategy locally, working closely with partners, landowners, community groups, and residents.
Adam Brown, Local Nature Recovery Strategy Lead, Surrey County Council says
The launch of Surrey’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy marks a major milestone in our commitment to protecting and enhancing the county’s natural environment. By setting clear priorities and working with partners across Surrey, the LNRS provides a powerful framework to drive action where it will have the greatest impact.
What is the LNRS
The newly published strategy provides:
- A Description of the Strategy Area, explores the varied biodiversity of Surrey, highlighting pressures and opportunities for nature recovery
- A Statement of Biodiversity Priorities, sets out agreed priorities and potential measures for nature’s recovery
- A Local Habitat Map, identifying where habitat creation and restoration efforts could have the most impact
A Strategy Shaped by Surrey’s Communities
The LNRS launch follows two years of collaborative development, including engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and a public consultation held in September 2025. Full information on the engagement workshops can be found here.
Why This Matters
Surrey, like much of England, has seen significant pressures on its natural environment from habitat fragmentation, climate change and pollution. The LNRS provides a clear, joined‑up plan to reverse this trend and supports national ambitions to improve nature by halting the decline in biodiversity and supporting the recovery of nature, allowing people and wildlife to grow together.
What’s Next?
The LNRS now moves into delivery, and it will require the work of everyone to realise the ambitions set out in the strategy. Key aims for the coming months include:
- Publication of sector specific user guides
- Development of a public register of nature recovery projects
- Delivery of the Surrey Community Nature Recovery Grant
We’ll be sharing more updates on how communities, organisations, and land managers can get involved in delivering the LNRS in the months ahead.
The publication of the LNRS also brings into action:
- The application of Strategic Significance via the Biodiversity Net Gain metric
- The requirement for strategic plans such as Local Plans, Minerals and Waste Plans and Spatial Development Strategies to take account of the LNRS in their development
Surrey Nature Partnership to be key delivery partner
Surrey Nature Partnership has been a key partner throughout the development of the LNRS and is pleased to announce that we will continue into the delivery phase.
We are delighted to be a key delivery partner for Surrey’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The LNRS provides a vital framework for turning ambition into action, and Surrey Nature Partnership will play a leading role in convening the collaboration needed across local authorities, land managers, organisations and communities to make Nature recovery at scale a success in Surrey.
Richard J Murphy, Chair of the Surrey Nature Partnership and Professor Emeritus, University of Surrey
The full suite of LNRS documentation is available to view here Surrey Nature Recovery Strategy – Surrey LNRS