Nature recovery strategies are local plans for restoring and improving wildlife, habitats and green spaces. They are required by law under the 2021 Environment Act. South Yorkshire's is one of 48 covering the whole of England.
Our strategy covers Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. It sets out where nature recovery will have the greatest impact - from river valleys and farmland to urban parks and post-industrial landscapes - and what we need to do to make it happen.
The mapped areas identify strategic opportunities for recovery. They're not a legal designation, so they don't change what you can do with your land, but they can help guide decisions and unlock funding. The strategy also shapes planning decisions and gives developers, businesses and landowners a clear framework for supporting nature. Delivering it is a shared responsibility - and this is a living plan, reviewed regularly as evidence and priorities evolve.