FAQs – Community Groups and Conservation Groups

How will the LNRS benefit community groups? 

We recognise the valuable work carried out by community groups, often working in a voluntary capacity, to protect green spaces, threatened species, and to gather important data about our natural environment.  Whilst guidance from DEFRA has not yet been released about how the LNRS will support your work, it is expected that actions carried out that are for the benefit of biodiversity in “high priority locations” will be recognised in funding applications, and have greater weight behind them.  We are hoping more guidance on this will be released by DEFRA soon.

How Can Community Groups get involved in the LNRS?

Community groups of all kinds, including ecological recording groups, “Friends of” groups, and voluntary groups, play a very important role in the development of the LNRS.  Often these groups are on the ground, deeply involved with our natural environment, and have a wealth of valuable local knowledge, experience and expertise.   We need these local insights to input into the process of developing our LNRS to ensure we accurately encapsulate our natural environment here in Kent and Medway; from existing high priority habitats and species, to areas which present opportunities for impactful nature recovery through habitat creation or restoration.  To get involved in the process, you can sign up to our database, and participate in surveys, workshops and briefings over the coming months – you will find the latest information on the website here.