New Biodiversity Guidance for Local Authorities

Defra have published new guidance for local authorities to help them to fulfill their duty to conserve, restore and enhance species populations and natural habitats. It provides advice on different activities and functions of public sector organisations and includes a number of case studies which illustrate what can be done to conserve biodiversity.

Local authorities have a Duty to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity, which was introduced by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act and came into force on 1 October 2006, this aims to raise the profile and visibility of biodiversity and make it an increasingly important part of policy and decision making.