This draft local nature recovery strategy provides a 10-year framework to help everyone work together towards a shared vision for nature recovery in Dorset.
Dorset’s natural environment is one of our greatest assets, but over time it has been weakened. This strategy marks a turning point - an end to the decline and a focus on recovery.
At its core is a commitment to the national and international 30by30 target to protect and manage 30% of land and rivers for nature by 2030.
Co-produced with local organisations and people, it identifies key pressures and opportunities for nature recovery and sets 12 nature recovery priorities along with the activities needed to support them. It also has a local habitat map to help target efforts to achieve the biggest benefits for nature.
Dorset’s natural environment is one of our greatest assets, but over time it has been weakened. This strategy marks a turning point - an end to the decline and a focus on recovery.
At its core is a commitment to the national and international 30by30 target to protect and manage 30% of land and rivers for nature by 2030.
Co-produced with local organisations and people, it identifies key pressures and opportunities for nature recovery and sets 12 nature recovery priorities along with the activities needed to support them. It also has a local habitat map to help target efforts to achieve the biggest benefits for nature.
Explore the draft strategy through the tiles below
The local nature recovery strategy is still in draft. A public consultation was held from 7 May to 30 July 2025 and is now closed. We are now reviewing responses and updating the strategy. The final strategy will be published here in December 2025.
Once you have read the strategy pages here, you can then have your say by completing the consultation.
Have your say on Dorset’s local nature recovery strategy
The draft Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy is out to consultation from 7 May to 30 July 2025. To help shape the strategy, please take a look at the strategy pages here and then complete a short survey.
We will monitor and review progress every 3 to 10 years, ensuring our approach remains effective, evidence-based, and responsive to change.
Downloads and supporting documents
You can download the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy 2025 as a PDF. You can also view the supporting documents and read definitions for useful terms to help you better understand the strategy.
Thank you
Dorset Council, BCP Council and Natural England would like to thank all the people who have contributed to preparing this strategy and its maps, which will ensure collective action to achieve the best outcomes for nature and people in Dorset.
