Help to make the greatest outcomes for nature in Kent

Back in 2023, KCC was appointed by government to draw up a strategy to map out actions to improve nature and progress its recovery in the county.

Since then, hundreds of people have helped to develop the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent and Medway at events in village halls, leisure centres and country parks, and taking part in online activities, but more input is needed on the final stage of this work.

This September, there will be a series of workshops across Kent and Medway run by the Making Space for Nature project, aimed at finalising maps which show the greatest opportunities for nature recovery in Kent.

The aim of the workshops is to find local knowledge and expertise to develop these and help finalise a Local Nature Recovery Strategy that is fit to meet the challenges faced by the natural environment in Kent and Medway.

When published, the strategy will help to create a network of wildlife-rich places across Kent and Medway. This will be one of 48 nature recovery strategies across the whole of England, with no gaps or overlaps, delivering the government’s commitment to ending the decline of nature and supporting its recovery.

Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Robert Thomas, said: “We’ve made brilliant progress with developing the Local Nature Recovery Strategy thanks to the hundreds of people who have given their time at our workshops, completed surveys, and read our newsletters.

“There is still time to get involved with the project and help build a positive future for nature in Kent. As well as the workshops and other activities, there will be a public consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy early next year, proving a final opportunity to take part, before the strategy is published in 2025.

“If you want to make a positive impact on nature in Kent, I encourage you to sign up for a workshop.”

Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, said: “I would encourage anybody with a passion for their local environment to get involved in these workshops. This initiative is all about increasing bio-diversity and creating wildlife-rich areas – these workshops are a fantastic opportunity for local people to share their invaluable knowledge, and help finalise the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent and Medway.”

Lyndsey Neale, Local Nature Recovery Strategy Senior Officer for Sussex and Kent Team at Natural England, said:

"Kent and Medway's Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a developing, new and exciting blueprint to identify the best places and actions to deliver nature recovery across the region to benefit both people and nature. There is an urgent need to address the impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises and this is a chance to be part of a collaborative vision for nature within the county and leave a lasting legacy for future generations".

A wide range of individuals, organisations and community groups have been involved in Making Space for Nature so far and with Kent being a rural county, it has been encouraging to see the involvement of so many farmers.

Claire Eckley, Kent National Farmers’ Union chair 2022-24, said:

“It’s been great to see plenty of Kent and Medway's farmers getting involved with some excellent suggestions to support nature recovery in the last few months. Many farmers are seeing the benefits nature friendly practices can bring to their businesses and are keen to spread the word and bring ambition to nature recovery in Kent and Medway.”

To book a place, visit: Events Archive | Making Space For Nature Kent