New proposals aim to recover and restore the region’s natural environment and could see the return of the ‘famous’ red squirrel
Liverpool skyline.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside’s ‘post-industrial legacy’ has significantly depleted the region’s plant and animal life and resulted in the local extinction of 36 ‘priority species’ of plants and animals. Additionally, a further 36 species of animal have not been seen in Merseyside since 1989.
Sefton Council’s cabinet met this morning in Southport town hall to discuss a range of topics including an item about the regeneration of Merseyside’s biodiversity. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) has been appointed by DEFRA to produce a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to support the restoration and enhancement of nature within designated areas across the region.
For the LCRCA, the recovery strategy identified three main priorities which include the mapping of the region’s most valuable existing habitats and work to reverse the decline in biodiversity. As part of the management and implementation plan, Sefton Council was asked to approve the details of the draft plan and a future public consultation – this was agreed at today’s meeting.
Over the centuries, the UK has lost nearly 50% of its biodiversity – more than any country in Western Europe and placing it in the top 10% most nature depleted countries in the world. In terms of the impact on Merseyside, a report by the LCRCA said the region’s ‘post-industrial legacy’ has left its biodiversity in a state of decline, with a 5% loss of all habitats since the 1980s and 10% of its most biodiverse grasslands. Furthermore, since 1970, 36 priority species of plants and animals, have not been seen in the city region and could be considered ‘locally extinct’, with a further 34 species not seen since 1989.
According to Sefton Council’s report, the LNRS facilitates the first step of urgent action required to restore the natural environment, while the recovery and restoration of the natural environment has a range of benefits for the borough. The local authority believes the forthcoming environment policy will positively impact its work tackling climate change, increase access to quality green spaces and result in local improvements to air and water quality.
Rimrose Valley Friends in Bootle.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Preparation of the Liverpool City Region LNRS is underway with support from organisations such as the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service and Merseyside’s local authorities. The first phase of mapping has been completed and identifies ‘areas of particular importance for biodiversity’ and phase two of mapping is already underway and aims to identify opportunities for nature recovery interventions.
Public consultations have begun and its second phase will take place in February. A message from Liverpool City Region’s Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram shaped out Merseyside involvement in the LNRS: “Over the past few decades, we’ve seen the precious habitats and ecosystems of some of our native species left exposed to both human activity and the effects of climate change – and the results are alarming.
“With so much of our country’s wildlife and natural biodiversity at risk, these fragile ecosystems need to be protected more than ever. Wildlife is something to be cherished and protected for future generations, so we’re taking decisive action to start to tackle the decline of wildlife across our region.
“How fantastic would it be, for example, to see our famous red squirrel population growing again?”