Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils are asking people their priorities for nature recovery in the two counties as part of work to produce Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) to help halt – and eventually reverse – the continuing loss of wildlife.
By responding to the public survey by Sunday 14 July 2024, you can have your say and help to shape the priorities for nature recovery in Suffolk. The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to fully complete.
Responses which support Suffolk Wildlife Trust and our priorities for a Wilder Suffolk will be very helpful, as we look to work with local authorities and landowners to promote positive action for nature.
Below we have provided some suggestions on how you might respond to the survey questions:
The importance of access to nature
At Suffolk Wildlife Trust we think everyone having access to nature it is very important! It has a proven positive effect on mental and physical health, and the more people that can understand and connect to nature the better chance we as a community have to protect it.
The most important habitats (top five)
For us, all wildlife habitats are important, and we want to see the right habitats prioritised and restored in the right places. This is not an option in the survey though, so we are championing those habitats that are fantastic for wildlife but have seen the greatest declines and are often overlooked, such as species-rich grasslands; fen wetlands; reedbeds; and coastal wetlands, saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats.
The most important groups of species (top five)
As above, we are championing the species groups that are often overlooked but are important parts of ecosystems, such as reptiles; amphibians; invertebrates; plants, fungi, and lichens.
Your favourite place to spend time in nature
If this is a Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve, great!
The most important benefits for people
As this is a Nature Recovery Strategy, we think the most important thing is space for wildlife.
The main challenges or blockers to nature recovery in Suffolk
We think these are lack of money and absence of effective policies that promote nature recovery.
What actions you see as most important for nature recovery
Suffolk Wildlife Trust aims to enhance and expand existing habitats, create better connectivity between areas of wildlife interest, and make more space for nature throughout the countryside and urban areas. Just planting trees everywhere won’t protect our special wetlands, heathlands and flower-rich grasslands. Reducing pollution and reducing the pressure on wetlands from water abstraction are also key issues in East Anglia.