People are being urged to have their say on how best to protect and improve nature as the deadline for two surveys approaches.
The ambitious new Local Nature Recovery Strategy is being developed for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland to protect nature and allow it to recover by preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity.
Two Making Space for Nature surveys were launched to capture a wide range of views, ideas and suggestions on how nature can be improved and helped to recover across the area.
Details about action already being taken to help nature and ideas for the future can now also be pinned onto an interactive map.
So far, the surveys have received more than 750 responses – but time is running out for people to have their say, as the surveys close on Sunday 26 May.
Responses are welcome from everyone, but survey organisers would particularly like to hear from under 18s and their parents, people aged between 18 and 34, people of non-white heritage, and residents of Leicester city, Oadby & Wigston, North West Leicestershire, and Hinckley & Bosworth.
Leicestershire County Council has been appointed as the ‘responsible authority’ to lead on the development of the strategy, working closely with the other local authorities, key stakeholders in land management, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Organisations including landowners, farmers, parish councils, environmental and nature groups, as well as the public, are being asked to have their say to help draw up the priorities to be included in the strategy, which will identify locations to create or improve habitat and to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
The other partners helping to oversee the development of the strategy are Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council, the seven Leicestershire district councils, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Natural England, and The National Forest Company.
More information and the surveys can be found on the county council's website.