Suffolk’s Nature Strategy

Value of the Natural Environment Conference 17 th March 2015

Nick Collinson - Suffolk County Council

Why we did it Key messages Projects since & as a result

This is not a panacea and its not perfect

• • • • • • •

Why we did it

Suffolk sector wanted to speak with one voice at a strategic level Period of unprecedented ecological challenge: Habitat loss, over-exploitation, pollution & non-native invasive spp. State of Nature of spp 60% declining Not everyone shares a moral imperative to save nature Many still see natural environment as a block on growth Health crisis also, and lots of evidence about the value of nature to both physical and mental wellbeing Legal duties!

NEWP

SCC keen to be a strategic champion

NEWP

“Govn’t ambition is to ensure that the benefits of high quality natural environments are available to everyone.

We [Govn’t] want this to be the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it inherited”.

“The White Paper does not pose any additional burdens on local authorities but it recognises that success in protecting and Improving the natural environment will depend on action taken at local level”.

“Local authorities possess the strategic overview, local knowledge and statutory powers required to make the vision set out in this White Paper a reality”.

Beware……………

Shifting Baseline Syndrome describes how those who saw an ecosystem 50 years ago, see normality very differently to those who see that same ecosystem now, given the loss of biodiversity in the intervening period. Our children’s concept of what is normal in the natural world is different from their parents and grand-parents, and hence biodiversity decline becomes generationally accepted as a perceived normality.

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The challenge in Suffolk

State of Nature – nationally, 60% of species in decline Generally habitats not big enough, nor well connected, nor well managed (47% of SSSI in favourable condition, 42% of Suffolk woodland under-managed Climate change, hotter drier summers in a county that is already short of water Sea level rise ref coastal change Farming - key arable area - UK farmland bird index all time low Energy coast (offshore wind and new nuclear at Sizewell C) Forestry on heathland areas (also an opportunity) Development - AAPG report Nov 2014 – ecological competence

In total 20% of the county is nationally designated for landscape or wildlife 36% of the county is locally / nationally designated for landscape or wildlife

CWS 5% of Suffolk 19,748 ha SSSI 8% 31,325 ha N2K 7% 27,830 ha SLAs 22% of Suffolk 83,054 ha AONBs 12% 46,158 ha Broads NP 0.7% 2,298 ha

What we know

• • • • We know what needs to be done – more, bigger, better and more joined up – Lawton review / NEWP Legislation and government policies are in place. International target 2020 to halt loss Data is getting better, evidence of values is • better and lots of new technologies Our generation presents the best opportunity, • • as champions for nature We’re all doing great work creating and managing reserves, campaigning for better protection, managing land-use change, preventing loss, joining things up, fighting persecution, providing advice, engaging people, educating young people etc etc

BUT……. we are still sliding down that slippery slope – this all isn’t enough

What the strategy is trying to do……

• • •

Engage new audiences, with new messages through new partnerships

•

Everyone values nature, it touches all our lives, but we have not yet sufficiently articulated this See things from others’ perspectives, and answer the questions – what has it got to do with me?

Better evidence the value of nature to Suffolk (growth, health, wellbeing etc)

launched May 2014

So what’s in it?

Key messages

“Suffolk’s natural environment is undoubtedly one of Suffolk’s key strengths. It is one of the golden threads holding together what makes this county great”

Suffolk’s Nature Strategy Vision

A 2020 vision for S uffolk’s Natural environment

Working together as individuals, communities, businesses and decision-makers,

we will ensure Suffolk’s natural environment is conserved and enhanced for future generations

and

continues to be seen as one of the county’s key strengths

. Its

intrinsic value, as well as its importance to our economic growth, is increasingly understood, whilst the people of Suffolk and our visitors are able to gain better access to enhanced enjoyment and a deeper understanding of its unique qualities

. We will continue to add to our knowledge of Suffolk’s wildlife and landscapes and to collect high-quality information.

Economic growth in Suffolk “The natural environment is crucial to the quality of life in Suffolk, and part of the foundation for our prosperity and economy”

Mark Pendlington

“The natural environment plays a huge part in quality of life and in our existing and future competitiveness” NALEP “Factors cited by companies in favour of investing in our area include quality of life and the environment; the natural environment supports the recruitment of skilled staff by businesses” NALEP

Health & wellbeing in Suffolk Almost half Suffolk adults are inactive, with an estimated cost of physical inactivity of £14m/yr 5,600km of public footpaths and 4,800 ha of Open Access land in Suffolk People who live within 500m of greenspace are 24% more likely to meet recommended levels of exercise Adequate access to greenspace, leading to reductions in sedentary behaviour, could generate health savings of £2 billion/yr

Tourism in Suffolk Tourism in Suffolk is worth £1.75 billion/yr. In the AONBs alone it is work £260m/yr . Tourism in Suffolk is founded on the county’s special qualities. The wildlife and landscape here are an important part of our offer. Alex Paul

– Gough Hotels

“Tourism is a major sector, thanks to a beautiful, abundant and diverse bank of natural assets” NALEP

Land use in Suffolk 60% of species, for which we have data, are in decline Coastal wetlands value in preventing surges and flooding is £1.5 billion/yr In Suffolk only 47% of SSSIs in favourable condition Crop pollinating insects worth £430m to UK agriculture Agriculture employs over 10,000 people in Suffolk In Suffolk only 9% of rivers are in good or high ecological status, with 30% poor or bad

Natural Capital Committee

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https://www.naturalcapitalcommittee.org/ Came from NEWP (2011) The Committee brings together expertise and experience in ecology and environmental science, economics and business 4.

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Work to better integrate the value of natural capital into decision making at all levels Working with Defra and the ONS to get natural capital into the national accounts Reports to Parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee All about ensuring we better understand and take account of the value of nature to society

Projects since, and as a result

Being Well in the Wild (& Brecks), Get Suffolk Moving Access standard in draft Walking Strategy NERC toolkit – signposting priority spp to their habitats EU project developing on natural capital Ecological and landscape guidance to supplement Suffolk’s Design Guide, being drafted Informing a range of Leader projects with partners (e.g. WT ASNW CWSs) Developers ecological survey data to go to SBRC, by condition Biennial “State of Suffolk’s Nature” report • Unlocking lots of doors, but we need to keep pushing and promoting • Still much to do to deliver our aspirations

Implementation Steering Group

Suffolk County Council District & Borough Councils RSPB Suffolk Wildlife Trust National Trust Natural England Environment Agency Woodland Trust AONBs National Farmers Union Visit Suffolk Local Nature Partnership Public Health Suffolk Delivery plan – Smartsheet – a working document that we’ll use to report delivery and develop our biennial “State of Suffolk’s Nature” report.

“ No one will look after what they do not care about, and no one will care about what they have not experienced, or do not value or understand ”

[email protected]