Time is running out to have your say on nature strategy

Glossop residents were recently invited to come and share about what nature means to them, ahead of the publication of the Derbyshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The strategies, which are being developed across England, will set the long-term plans for nature and environmental improvement specific to each county. 

Derbyshire County Council have commissioned a team from the University of Derby to run a series of engagement events across the county over two months, to gather a wide range of views, needs and opinion, with Glossop’s event taking place in Manor Park last week. 

‘The Shed Team’ invited people to chat about what they feel is important and share what challenges they face when engaging with nature. To help participants of all age-groups consider a wide range of topics, they utilised several creative activities including a Learning Pod featuring local maps and information about rivers and wildlife, a Curiosity Nature Trail to encourage people to notice aspects of nature that they wouldn’t normally, and an artwork display by primary school children highlighting how interacting with nature makes them feel and how it can be a positive influence on their mental health. 

There was also a Listening Pod in which visitors could scan a QR code to hear accounts from the perspective of different wildlife that have their homes in Derbyshire, such as the Water Vole, the Bat and the Wood Ant. The educational stories give an insight into the difficulties these creatures face and how we can help them. You can listen to them all at: www.messagesfromthewild.com 

Derbyshire residents have until midnight on Thursday March 20 to read the draft strategy and submit their thoughts and feedback. Visit: https://derbyshirenaturerecovery.co.uk/strategy/have-your-say 

Once all public engagement has been collated, the agreed strategy document will be published in Summer 2025.