Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project
The Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project is a partnership of nine organisations, working together to recover nature across 41,000 hectares of the Somerset Levels and Moors landscape.
Background
In 2021 £2.4m of funding was announced by DEFRA and Natural England, part of funding to support the establishment and delivery of the flagship Nature Recovery Network (NRN). The aim of the NRN is both to increase, improve and connect existing wildlife-rich sites and restore and connect degraded land, creating healthy, functioning ecosystems, rich in wildlife and resilient to climate change. Five flagship Nature Recovery Projects were announced in May 2022, Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors was one of these.
The purpose of Nature Recovery Projects is to make a significant contribution towards the national delivery of the international commitment to protect at least 30% of land and sea by 2030, and help achieve the Environment Act’s legally binding target to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030.
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The Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project seeks to recover nature across 41,000 hectares of Somerset. This area includes the inland Moors of the Parrett, Tone and Brue river valleys, stretching out to the coast at Bridgwater Bay. The focus is on the special wetland habitats that make this one of the most important wetland landscapes in England. The project will work across this farmed landscape to support the delivery of nature friendly farming, as well as restoring areas of land for nature.
The Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project is funded by Natural England, with significant match funding contributions from partners.
Partners
Natural England, National Trust, Somerset Council, RSPB, Somerset Wildlife Trust, WWT, Hawk and Owl Trust, FWAG, Environment Agency
Projects
Over the past 12 months the project has invested approximately £0.5m in 16 projects, all contributing to our plans to recover nature across the Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors and build a strong partnership to deliver this ambitious project to benefit the people and nature of Somerset.
The projects focus on the following themes:
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Habitat restoration
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Landowner/farmer engagement
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Strategic research and solutions
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Climate and carbon research
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Green finance
One of these projects is an Economic Assessment of the Levels and Moors area. The aim of this report is to offer meaningful contributions to influence and facilitate change on the Somerset Levels and Moors to achieve positive outcomes for nature and the climate but importantly also for communities, businesses and agriculture. You can view the report here.
Contact
Simon Phelps – Senior Adviser for Natural England – Simon.Phelps@naturalengland.org.uk, 07442 627648
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To read the full Economic Assessment report, click here: