Wildlife, Habitats and Green Infrastructure We ask the new councillors to take the protection and enhancement of the natural environment into account in decision-making processes. We ask you to protect sites and habitats by: Actively supporting and contributing to the Cumbria Local Nature Partnership in order to create, restore and enhance habitats across the county in order to increase wildlife and sequester carbon. Supporting the Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre Ensuring that land the new authority owns and/or manages is managed for the maximum biodiversity gain Ensuring that public realm works, local plans and planning decisions incorporate the principles of green infrastructure Using the Cumbria County Council Roadside Verge database to ensure that roadside verges are managed for their unique flora As there is more pressure on the landscape for tree planting we ask new authority members to support native, broadleaf woodlands and tree planting where it enhances landscape character. Native woodlands are more biodiverse and will be more resilient to climate change than woodlands with non-native, conifer species. We ask new authority members recognise the value of our native woodlands for helping to combat climate change and for the societal benefits they provide. We ask that new councillors advocate for the removal of non-native conifer species from the landscape to increase biodiversity, enhance landscape character and ensure landscape resilience. Manage Cookie Preferences