Delivery groups and updates

Who is helping 

To help prepare the local nature recovery strategy for Dorset, we have 6 groups set up with representatives across a diverse range of farmers, landowners, organisations, businesses, and NGOs.  

Group membership details are provided below. There will be opportunity to help shape the strategy without joining these groups through our Have your say page.

Dorset local nature recovery strategy steering group

The steering group was formed to ensure the preparation of Dorset's local nature recovery strategy is inclusive, transparent, and timely. The group consists of 12 different organisations across various sectors. 

  • BCP Council
  • Country Land and Business Association
  • Dorset Council 
  • Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership
  • Dorset Local Nature Partnership
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Dorset Youth
  • Help and Kindness
  • National Farmers Union
  • Natural England
  • Public Health Dorset

Dorset mapping and data advisory group

The mapping and data group is facilitated by the Dorset National Landscape partnership. It is a technical group looking at what is mapped and how things are mapped in relation to the priorities and activities for Dorset. 

  • BCP Council
  • Cranborne Chase National Landscape
  • Dorset Council
  • Dorset Environmental Records Centre
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Environment Agency
  • Forestry Commission

Dorset communications and engagement advisory group

The members look at language and communication around local nature recovery and have been instrumental to the development of the Nature Recovery Dorset brand. They also look at smart ways to join up all the different things people across Dorset are doing for nature. 

  • BCP Council
  • Community Action Network
  • Dorset Council
  • Dorset Local Entreprise Partnership
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Dorset Youth
  • Forestry Commission 
  • Help and Kindness
  • Litter Free Dorset

Dorset nature, farming, forestry and land use advisory group

Twenty-four members representing each of the 4 sectors, facilitated by the Dorset Local Nature Partnership. Set up to identify the pressures and opportunities and carry out detailed analysis around priorities and activities for the strategy. 

  • BCP Council
  • Bournemouth University
  • Country Land and Business Association
  • Cranborne Chase National Landscape
  • Dorset Catchment Partnerships
  • Dorset Council
  • Dorset Local Nature Partnership
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Environment Agency
  • Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group
  • Forestry Commission 
  • Ministry of Defence
  • National Farmers Union
  • National Trust
  • Natural England
  • RSPB

Dorset species task and finish group

Fourteen members who are experts in a wide range of plants, animals, fungi and insects. They are producing a long list and priority list of species the Dorset local nature recovery strategy can best support. 

  • Amphibian and Reptiles Conservation Trust
  • BCP Council
  • Butterfly Conservation
  • Dorset Council
  • Dorset Environmental Records Centre
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Environment Agency
  • Footprint Ecology
  • Forestry Commission
  • Forestry England
  • Independent local ecologist
  • National Trust
  • Natural England 
  • Nick Tomlinson Ecology
  • RSPB

Dorset farmer clusters group

The farmer cluster group represents the local farming community across Dorset. It is made up of farmers and facilitators from 13 different groups. The farming community play a key role in nature recovery as they are custodians of the land. 

  • Cranborne Chase
  • Devil's Brook
  • Dorset Council farms
  • Dorset Downs
  • Marshwood Vale
  • Martin Down
  • Mid Stour
  • Milton Abbas / Milton St Andrew
  • Nadder Valley
  • South Dorset Ridgeway
  • Upper Frome, Wraxall and Hooke
  • Wareham Arc Landscape Recovery

Progress updates

Read about the delivery and preparation of Dorset’s local nature recovery strategy.
Find out how groups are helping to deliver Dorset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy and read the latest news. 

How the strategy is being delivered


Dorset's Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is part of a national framework established under the Environment Act 2021. Dorset Council leads delivery of the strategy as the responsible authority, working with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and Natural England. 

Responsible authorities have 4 key roles:
 
  • lead and coordinate delivery partnerships
  • embed the LNRS in local decision-making
  • identify and support nature recovery projects
  • monitor progress and report outcomes 

Delivering the strategy is a shared responsibility. The LNRS was developed with partners from across Dorset, and this collaborative approach continues through delivery. Success depends on organisations, communities, land managers, businesses and individuals working together to support nature recovery.

To support delivery, we have established a governance structure made up of several groups. Each group helps to: 
 
  • coordinate activity
  • share knowledge and expertise
  • support delivery of priority actions
  • monitor progress
Together, these groups turn the strategy’s priorities into practical action across Dorset.

Delivery groups

Find out about the newly established delivery groups supporting Dorset's Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Nature Recovery Dorset Delivery Group

The Nature Recovery Dorset Delivery Group oversees the delivery of the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). It helps make sure the strategy's priorities are turned into actions and that progress is monitored.

What the group does

The group:

  • provides strategic oversight to make sure delivery supports the LNRS vision, priorities and legal requirements
  • reviews delivery plans, projects and partnerships
  • promotes transparency and accountability
  • brings together organisations from different sectors to work towards shared goals
  • identifies barriers to delivery and support solutions

Who is involved

The group includes representatives from organisations across Dorset, including:

  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council
  • Bournemouth University
  • Community Action Network (CAN)
  • Country Land Business Association (CLA)
  • Dorset Catchment Partnership
  • Dorset Chamber of Commerce
  • Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN)
  • Dorset Council
  • Dorset Downs Farmer Cluster
  • Dorset Local Nature Partnership (LNP)
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Environment Agency
  • Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West (FWAG SW)
  • Forestry Commission
  • Help & Kindness
  • National Farmers' Union (NFU)
  • Natural England
  • Public Health
  • The Parks Foundation

Current work

The group is currently:

  • developing tools to track progress against Dorset's nature recovery priorities
  • identifying gaps and opportunities to help target action where it is needed most
  • working with partners to find solutions to shared challenges
  • updating the Nature Recovery Dorset webpages
  • supporting a campaign to promote the network and encourage action

Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Monitoring and Reporting Group

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Monitoring and Reporting Group helps develop a consistent approach to monitoring nature recovery in Dorset. The group supports organisations to collect, share and use data to understand progress towards nature recovery goals.

What the group does

The group:

  • advises on how national monitoring guidance and standards can be applied in Dorset
  • identifies opportunities to improve data collection and fill information gaps
  • supports organisations to share and use data more effectively
  • explores new approaches, tools and technologies for monitoring progress
  • helps develop dashboards, maps and other tools to show progress across Dorset
  • works to reduce duplication and make reporting more efficient

Who is involved

The group includes representatives with expertise in data collection, data analysis, data visualisation and environmental monitoring, including:

  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council
  • Bournemouth University
  • Dorset Catchment Partnership
  • Dorset Council
  • Dorset Environmental Records Centre
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Forestry Commission
  • National Trust

Organisations that collect and report nature recovery data may also be invited to share their expertise with the group.

Current work

The group is currently:

  • reviewing national monitoring guidance to understand mandatory and optional requirements
  • exploring how a Dorset-wide monitoring approach could be developed and applied locally
  • identifying how existing monitoring activity can support nature recovery reporting
  • considering what additional data and support may be needed to fill gaps in reporting

Dorset Land Managers Group

The Dorset Land Managers Group brings together representatives from farming, forestry, nature recovery and other rural sectors. The group supports delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) by sharing knowledge, identifying common challenges and opportunities, and helping to develop practical solutions for land managers. It also supports more sustainable farming, nature-friendly land management and local food production.

What the group does

The group:

  • helps turn the LNRS and related national policies into practical actions for farmers and land managers
  • identifies shared challenges and opportunities and works with partners to develop solutions
  • supports pilot projects and trials that test sustainable land management approaches
  • advises on monitoring and data collection, helping to showcase successful nature recovery projects
  • provides feedback on national and local issues to the LNRS governance structure and relevant government bodies

Who is involved

Core members include representatives from:

  • Badbury Rings Farm Cluster
  • Country Land and Business Association (CLA)
  • Cranborne Chase Farmer Cluster
  • Cranborne Chase National Landscape
  • Devil and Chesel Farmer Cluster
  • Dorset Council rural estate
  • Dorset Downs Farm Cluster
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Environmental Farmers Group
  • Forestry Commission
  • Forestry England
  • High Stoy Conservation Cluster 
  • Marshwood Vale Farmers Cluster 
  • Milton Valley Cluster  
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) 
  • National Trust 
  • Natural England  
  • National Farmers Union (NFU)
  • River Allen landscape recovery project  
  • South Dorset Ridgeway Farm Cluster 
  • The Escarpment Cluster 
  • Upper Axe landscape recovery project 
  • Upper Frome Cluster 
  • Wareham Arc landscape recovery project
  • Wessex Water 
  • West Dorset Wilding (Brit Valley Landscape Recovery Project)

Current work

The group is currently:

  • establishing the group and how it will work together
  • identifying shared challenges to nature recovery in Dorset and exploring practical solutions to support land managers

Nature Recovery Dorset Communications Group

The Nature Recovery Dorset Communications Group brings together people involved in communications and engagement across Dorset. The groups helps coordinate and promote communications about nature recovery, share good practice and encourage more people to get involved in the Nature Recovery Dorset Network.

What the group does

The group:

  • coordinates communications that support nature recovery across Dorset
  • shares and promotes nature recovery stories, projects and achievements
  • encourages organisations to work together on communications and engagement activities
  • helps grow awareness of and participation in the Nature Recovery Dorset Network

Who is involved

Core members include representatives from:

  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council
  • Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN)
  • Dorset Council
  • Dorset Local Nature Partnership
  • Dorset National Landscape
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust
  • Help & Kindness
  • Natural England
  • The Parks Foundation

We are looking to grow the group's membership and welcome communications experts from organisations, groups and businesses.

Current work

The group is currently working to grow the Nature Recovery Dorset Network and increase participation across Dorset.

Community Nature Forum

The Community Nature Forum will bring together communities, volunteers and organisations from across Dorset to support nature recovery in towns and villages. 

Community action plays an important role in nature recovery, from individual gardens and local green spaces to community-led projects and partnerships.

The forum will provide opportunities for people to connect, share ideas and take action for nature in their local area. It will focus on supporting practical action, helping to overcome barriers and sharing examples of successful community-led nature recovery projects.

Current work

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and Dorset Council are working with partners who have expertise in community engagement and environmental action to explore how the forum could operate.

Current work includes:

  • defining the purpose and potential structure of the forum
  • identifying common challenges faced by communities delivering nature recovery and exploring how the forum could help address them
  • ensuring the forum complements and strengthens existing groups, activities and networks

Latest news

Read the latest updates on nature recovery work from Dorset Council.

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Contact us

Contact us if you'd like to get involved, ask a question, or tell us about a nature recovery project or idea.