Nature Recovery in Torridge
Torridge District Council is committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across the district.
The Torridge district is renowned for its rich and varied countryside. It is situated within the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere reserve, which is recognised internationally as an important environment for wildlife and people. Many coastal areas are part of the North Devon Coast National Landscape designation, and there are also a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, County Wildlife Sites and Marine Protection Zones.
Despite the status of the local area, biodiversity is under threat in Torridge from the same pressures that have affected the environment across the United Kingdom. The 2023 State of Nature report described the UK as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and urgent action is required to reverse the decline in biodiversity.
The Environment Act 2021 introduced a 'strengthened' biodiversity duty on local authorities, and Torridge District Council has made a commitment to help deliver nature recovery. Our policy is to "deliver nature recovery throughout the entire district: undertaking biodiversity enhancements through the planning process, better managing public green space where appropriate, incorporating nature recovery into our projects and engaging with the community to help create and maintain wildlife rich habitat."
Our objectives are to:
1) Deliver Nature Recovery through the planning process by ensuring mandatory requirements are met and developing policies that enhance local biodiversity.
2) Improve the management of Council owned green spaces to benefit local wildlife.
3) Incorporate nature recovery into our projects.
4) Engage with communities to raise awareness of the local environment, improve connection with nature and promote nature recovery activities in gardens and green space outside Council management.
You can read our Biodiversity Plan here: Torridge District Council Biodiversity Plan (PDF, 15 MB)
If you are interested in getting involved in nature recovery projects or want to find out how you can make improvements for wildlife, why not check out the events available with Council's Ranger team? Information on upcoming events available here: Guided Walks & Events Summer 26
