A group of organisations led by Durham Wildlife Trust has been awarded Local Nature Partnership (LNP) status by the Government.
LNPs have been set up by Ministers to support the range of organisations whose decisions and actions affect the natural environment and are designed to raise awareness of its value and embed its importance into local decisions to ensure they have a positive benefit for nature, people and the economy.
Each LNP comprises a broad range of local organisations, businesses and people with the credibility to work with, and influence, local decision-makers. The Durham one will be called The Land of the Three Rivers and organisations including Durham Wildlife Trust, Groundwork NE, Northumbrian Water, the National Trust, Tarmac, Gateshead Community Network, County Durham Local Access Forum, and the four Local Authorities have all been involved in setting up this new partnership.
The overall purpose of an LNP is to:
- Drive positive change in the local natural environment
- Identify important networks of organisations
- Become local champions that influence decision-making about the natural environment and work closely with local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and Health and Wellbeing Boards. The Government envisages about 50 LNPs across the country.
Jim Cokill, Director of Durham Wildlife Trust, said: “To protect wildlife and the environment, organisations have to work together. This is a challenge that takes in the entire landscape and being recognised as a Local Nature Partnerships reminds us of the importance of co-operation.
“At a time when wildlife habitats are increasingly fragmented, the need for joined-up thinking and delivery has never been more important.”
