The Natural Environment White Paper launched by the Government in June 2011, recognised that partnership working is the best way to achieve effective action for the natural environment. A key objective of this new approach is the formation of Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs), to work strategically to conserve biodiversity and improve the range of socio-economic benefits and services provided by a healthy natural environment.
In July 2012 The Tees valley was one of 41 LNPs to receive official government recognition. There are now 47 LNPS in England.
The purpose of an LNP is to:
- Drive positive change in the local natural environment, taking a strategic view of the challenges and opportunities involved and identifying ways to manage it as a system for the benefit of nature, people and the economy.
- Contribute to achieving the Government’s national environmental objectives locally, including the identification of local ecological networks, alongside addressing local priorities.
- Become local champions influencing decision-making relating to the natural environment and its value to social and economic outcomes, in particular, through working closely with local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and Health and Well being Boards.
At the heart of the government’s ambition for LNPs is that each area finds its own way to make the LNP role real and meaningful locally. Within the framework of the overall LNP role, it is for each LNP to decide what their priorities are and how they work in the way that best suits the needs and challenges of their local area.