In 2019 North Devon Council declared a climate and biodiversity emergency.

Both nationally and within northern Devon, our wildlife is a shadow of its former glory. Many species are in long-term decline. and today the UK is among the most nature-depleted countries on Earth. Nature has been, and continues to be, restricted into smaller and smaller fragments of suitable habitat due to the destruction of wildlife habitats and intensification of land use. Climate change is exacerbating these problems.

Biodiversity Duty

The Environment Act 2021 strengthened the Biodiversity Duty on all public bodies. This requires organisations to consider how they can conserve and enhance biodiversity in their activities and decision-making.

Local Authorities must also publish reports explaining how they have met this duty. These reports must outline actions already taken and set out priorities for the next five years.

The first reports must be published by 1 April 2026, and reporting will follow a five-year cycle thereafter.

Reports must also explain how the authority has considered:

• Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS)

• Species Conservation Strategies

• Protected Site Strategies

Relevant authorities must also report on their progress in delivering biodiversity net gain.

View our Biodiversity Duty report here

Our approach to biodiversity in North Devon

The council recognises the need for us to address these issues by creating and restoring more biodiverse green spaces and verges to provide value to a wide range of wildlife.

What we are doing

• Completed the first consideration of our strengthened Biodiversity Duty which sets out our aspirations for our land.
• Planted a 37 acre extension to our community woodland at Yeo Valley, planting 24,000 trees and linking three existing woodlands. 
• Eliminated the use of peat compost on our own land. We are also introducing changes to the cutting approach on parts of some sites. Where we think we can make changes without affecting recreational uses, and where short grass is not necessary, we will reduce and change our approach to grass cutting, and there will be longer grass as a result. Approximately 17 hectares (41 acres) of land are managed as wildflower meadows where the grass is cut and removed each autumn, reducing fertility and allowing native perennial wildflowers to thrive.
• Reduced annual bedding displays over a number of years replacing it with perennial planting that is more sustainable and less demanding on water whilst still providing vibrant flower beds each year.
•  Working with a number of community groups that help look after some of the council’s nature conservation sites. These include the Cairn and Hillsborough in Ilfracombe, Yeo Valley Woodland in Barnstaple and Fremington Local Nature Reserve. The groups carry out a range of practical projects through the year aimed at improving the biodiversity on their sites. If you would like to get involved please contact the Parks Unit parks@northdevon.gov.uk
• In partnership with the Finding Nature’s Footprints project, a three-year National Lottery Heritage Supported project working with communities to survey, map and take action for the fantastic wildlife of the North Devon Coast National Landscape.
• We are a delivery partner for North Devon Biosphere’s Nature Recovery Plan which aims to deliver 30% of land within the area as biodiversity-rich habitat in good or recovering condition, and for nature recovery to be integrated into management of the remaining 70%.
• We are a member of the Devon Local Nature Partnership, a strategic collaboration of organisations, groups and individuals committed to working together to restore and enhance the natural environment which underpins our lives.
• Working with Devon Local Nature Partnership and Devon County Council to develop a Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy.