Chilterns Nature Recovery Plan launched

Drawing on the latest research and local knowledge, the plan sets out a shared direction for nature recovery across the Chilterns – one of the most densely populated protected landscapes in the UK, and a nationally important area for nature, heritage and access. 

At its heart, the Nature Recovery Plan is about helping people work together. It sits alongside the Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) being developed across the wider area, as well as the Management Plan for the Chilterns National Landscape, helping to connect priorities and support action on the ground. 

The plan focuses on the Chilterns’ priority habitats and special qualities, including: 

• Flower-rich chalk grassland 

• Ancient and deciduous woodland 

• Chalk streams 

• Farmland and hedgerow networks 

• Wetlands, ponds and commons 

It also highlights the importance of thinking at a landscape scale, connecting habitats, supporting species movement, and making sure the right habitat is in the right place. 

While the plan will help guide the work of the Chilterns National Landscape team, it is not a delivery plan. Its success will depend on collaboration between land managers, local authorities, conservation organisations, businesses and communities, alongside sustained investment over time. 

Support is available to help turn ideas into action. The Chilterns National Landscape team can provide advice, help link projects to LNRS priorities, and support funding applications, including through Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL). 

Nature recovery is not just for landowners and organisations. Individuals, communities and local groups all have a role to play too, with actions in gardens, green spaces and neighbourhoods contributing to a wider network of recovery across the landscape.