North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Partnership

On 17 July 2012, the Government announced that North Yorkshire and York had been successful in its bid for Local Nature Partnership (LNP) status. Only 41 local nature partnerships were given recognised status across the country.

The North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Partnership covers all of the County of North Yorkshire and the City of York, except for the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Nidderdale AONB which are included in the neighbouring Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership area.

Local Nature Partnerships are a Government initiative to encourage organisations with an interest in nature and the environment to work together more closely. The County Council worked with a range of people and organisations earlier this year to develop a proposal for an LNP for North Yorkshire and York.

The Local Nature Partnership will help change the way councils and others work together on environmental projects. It will require the various groups and organisations with an interest in the local environment to agree what the priorities are. It will also enable the Partnership to take opportunities to manage nature in a more integrated way for the benefit of wildlife, people and the economy.

Formal recognition of the Local Nature Partnership will open doors for other things, and will enable the partners to speak with one voice on what is important to them. Although no money comes with the LNP status, it is likely to provide opportunities for future funding that would not otherwise be there.

The Partnership is keen to attract a broad membership of organisations and individuals with an interest in the natural environment and the benefits that it provides. The partnership will identify projects within local areas and will bring together interested organisations to deliver improvements to nature and benefits for local people.

Waste and countryside services can also provide information and advice on archaeology, public rights of way and conservation.

Follow the links below for more information on the areas of work the County Council is involved in:

Biodiversity

Find out about the species and habitats significant to North Yorkshire, the partnerships that are working to protect them, and some examples of projects we are involved with.

Ecological advice

The County Council's natural environment team provides ecological advice on internal and some external planning matters, notably with protected species and designated sites.

Forest and woodland management

Information on who to contact for forest and woodland management advice, and what assistance the County Councils natural environment team can provide.

Landscape - character assessment

Find out about how the special qualities and characteristics of the landscapes of North Yorkshire are determined.

Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

Find out more about Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, what the county council is doing to identify and conserve them, and what to do if you own or manage one.

	Countryside Find out about the work and responsibilities of the countryside service.
	Heritage Local history and heritage
	Public rights of way Rights of way - information and advice