Goal 1 - Space for nature is protected, restored, created & valued

Wildlife is in trouble – globally animal populations are roughly half the size they were 40 years ago, 56% of all UK species are in decline and precious habitats such as wildflower meadows have been nearly wiped out, with only 3% remaining of those we had in the 1930s. Evidence from the UK shows that while there have been some successes, such as the recovery of otters, peregrine falcons and some bat species, there continues to be a dramatic decline in biodiversity, the quality of habitats, the population and status of many species, and the overall ‘health’ of the natural environment.

“Over 40% of priority habitats and 30% of priority species were still declining in the most recent analysis. Eight priority species were lost entirely from the UK between 2002 and 2008.” - Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, p.9

To reverse this decline, we need to think differently. Nationally, The Wildlife Trusts’ collective response has been to enlarge the focus from individual sites and ‘biodiversity hotspots’ to the more comprehensive ‘Living Landscapes’ approach, which evidence shows is essential for nature’s recovery.

The ambition is to create strong, resilient and ecologically diverse landscapes where people live their everyday lives. Our Living Landscape is the Nature Improvement Area, and this ambition will be delivered through its ecological strategy, built on evidence collected over the last 15 years. Informed by this strategy, we have a plan for Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton to support a healthy population of people and wildlife.

The map represents the Ecological Strategy for Birmingham and the Black Country and allocates all parts of the landscape to one of three broad categories:

The 'Core Ecological Areas' are the places that are richest in wildlife. As might be expected, these include the parts of our landscape least affected by urban development – such as Sutton Park and the countryside in Walsall and Dudley - but it also includes areas where wildlife has reclaimed sites that were once at the heart of industry.

Joining together the Core Areas and the wider landscape are 'Ecological Linking Areas'. These include the majority of our remaining natural and semi-natural open spaces where many of the more frequently encountered species and habitats exist - often very close to people. Much of this part of the network is concentrated around key wildlife corridors including the extensive system of rivers, streams and canals.

Outside of the Core areas and Ecological Linking Areas lie the ‘Ecological Opportunity Areas’. These are the most intensively used parts of the landscape where the green space is dominated by formal parks, public open spaces, gardens, road verges and productive farmland. Using the mapping to prioritise action, for each broad category a priority for targeting biodiversity action has been identified:

1. Protect Core Ecological Areas through engagement with the planning system, advocacy, supporting land-owners to manage land sympathetically, and encouraging sustainable land-use.

2. Enhance Ecological Linking Areas by restoring habitats and improving existing sites.

3. Create new sites in Ecological Opportunity Areas that together form networks of sites that allow wildlife to move through the most developed parts of the conurbation.