A SCHEME which is set to reverse the loss of sites formerly rich in wildlife will go out to public consultation in a matter of months.
The brainchild of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), the habitat restoration scheme includes Barnsley Council, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Peak District National Park.
Officers involved in the project have identified as yet unknown areas across the town where there are opportunities to not only restore thriving, connected natural habitats, but also where new ones can be
created, including to help reverse the decline of species.
A total of 113 areas have been assessed, according to a SYMCA document, which includes local watercourses, wetlands, woodlands and grasslands.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “We desperately need to reverse the loss of wildlife, restore natural habitats and improve the environment for generations to come.
“Because protecting and restoring our natural habitats isn’t simply an added extra, it’s central to the ambition I have as mayor.
“By working together, we will not only protect our wildlife and green spaces but create a bold, ambitious plan to reverse the loss of wildlife, restore habitats and improve the natural environment that we’re so lucky to have on our doorstep.”
The draft strategy is set to be published before its public consultation phase in May or June, the Chronicle understands, before it’s implemented in December.
The SYMCA report added: “Measures to improve habitats will help to build resilience to the changing impacts of climate change on habitats and species.
“Also, for example, enhancing and extending habitats in areas susceptible to flooding will help slow the flow of surface water in times of heavy rainfall, reducing flood impacts as part of natural flood management.
“The proposal is to publish the draft strategy for consultation in late May or June for a six-week period, following completion of any final changes raised by strategic authorities following a formal 28-day period.
“A full programme of public engagement and consultation will be developed to maximise awareness and enable widespread involvement and the collation of the views of stakeholders and the general public on the draft.
“This will be to both inform the re-drafting of the strategy and ensure that the strategy meets the needs of local people.
“Our local nature mission is to not only restore thriving, connected natural habitats but to create new ones and to reverse the decline of species, and to do these urgently.
“A flourishing natural world is important for its own sake, but nature is also our most precious asset.
“It provides us with essentials such as food and water, regulates our air quality, protects us from severe weather and fulfils our need for recreation, health and wellbeing.
“However, nature is in decline in the UK, with 41 per cent of species having decreased in abundance since 1970 and 15 per cent threatened with extinction.
“Over half of the land area in South Yorkshire is in ‘poor’ condition for natural habitats, according to natural capital mapping co-commissioned by SYMCA.
“SYMCA has an important role to play by developing and galvanising action to deliver landscape scale nature recovery.
“In November 2019 SYMCA declared a climate and environment emergency - this noted the urgent need for collective action from across public, private and voluntary sectors.
“It also recognised the need for us as individuals to change the way we live, work and travel.”
