Devon's New Nature Strategy
1. The End of Neatness?
Devon is famous for its rolling hills and "green" vistas, but there is a hidden reality behind the postcard view. While our landscapes appear lush, they are often silent. Many of us have noticed the change: fewer insects hitting the windscreen on a summer drive, and fewer songbirds visiting our gardens. The reality is that many of Devon's habitats are fragmented and in decline.
To address this, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has been launched. It is a high-level, statutory blueprint designed to speed up efforts to "put things right." It envisions a county where purple and yellow heaths echo with the sound of clapping nightjars and where bogs bounce with vibrant bog-mosses.
This post reveals the most surprising and impactful shifts in how Devon is now protecting its landscape—moving from a passive view of "scenery" to an active restoration of a living, breathing network.
2. Nature is "Critical National Infrastructure"
One of the most significant changes is the move away from viewing nature as a luxury. Instead, it is being reframed as a functional necessity. Healthy natural systems are essential for providing clean water, healthy soils, and reduced flooding.
In this new model, Beavers are no longer just a curiosity; they are "key nodes" for water filtration and flood prevention. By treating nature as a working system, the strategy aims to secure the priority and funding typically reserved for major physical projects, such as ELM subsidies and private investment.
“Nature is a critical national infrastructure. When we destroy it, we increase floods, heat deaths, food insecurity and economic instability. When we restore it, we reduce risk, save lives and strengthen the economy.” — Professor Nathalie Seddon
This shift in terminology—from "scenery" to "infrastructure"—is a powerful move for securing policy support. It positions nature recovery as a core requirement for economic stability and public safety.
3. The "Soil-First" Revolution
While most environmental strategies focus on what is visible, Devon’s LNRS looks beneath the surface. The strategy uses bespoke soil maps to identify areas of legacy compaction—damage from years of intensive farming that prevents land from absorbing water.
This "soil-first" approach focuses on an under-explored reservoir of wildlife. We aren't just protecting birds and mammals; we are protecting fungi, earthworms, and springtails. These organisms are the foundation of any healthy ecosystem.
In areas like East Devon, this data helps planners choose between active tree planting and natural regeneration. In some spots, simply letting bushes and trees grow back naturally is more effective because the existing soil health is ready to support a "chaotic tangle" of life without human interference.
4. "Delight in the Unruly": The End of the Manicured Landscape
The LNRS marks a departure from the traditional preference for "straight, neat, or tidy" management. It explicitly calls for us to move toward a "chaotic tangle" in our hedges and uncut lawns in our churchyards.
This requires a major cultural change. To help sceptics bridge the gap between "neat" and "healthy," the strategy suggests a brilliant pro-tip: mowing lines around areas of long grass. This simple act signals that the "mess" is intentional and managed, rather than a sign of neglect.
Practical examples are already taking root. In Sidmouth and Honiton, "Let it Grow" pollinator paths and reduced mowing schedules are turning road verges into vital wildlife corridors. The goal is to see a landscape where adders bask and cuckoos call, rather than one that is merely manicured.
5. Biodiversity Net Gain: Nature as a Mandatory Developer Contribution
Since 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has been a mandatory requirement. Developers must now ensure that their projects leave nature in a better state than they found it. The LNRS acts as the map that tells them where that investment will do the most good.
For example, a housing project in Exmouth might fund a wildlife-rich grassland expansion miles away. By using the LNRS maps, local authorities can ensure this money is targeted toward High Opportunity Areas, ensuring it builds a cohesive county-wide network.
This is operational through groups like "One Team East Devon." At Seaton Wetlands, they are performing major hedge-laying and coppicing to ensure the site acts as a hub for migratory species, such as the reed warblers that travel between Devon and The Gambia.
6. Hyper-Local Uniqueness (The "Near Me" Factor)
Nature recovery in Devon is tailored to species that are found nowhere else on Earth. This includes the horrid ground weaver spider, found only in Plymouth parks, and the Lundy cabbage flea beetle.
To make this personal, the Devon LNRS Viewer features a "Near Me" function. Residents can use this interactive tool to see if they live in a "Species Zone" (such as for the Greater Horseshoe Bat) or a "High Opportunity Area" for habitat creation.
This accessibility turns a dry statutory document into a tool for community action. It encourages residents to take pride in their local patch and participate in "citizen science," recording the return of species to their own neighbourhoods.
7. Conclusion: A New Blueprint for Co-existence
The LNRS provides a blueprint for how nature fits into a "nested suite" of planning for food, energy, and housing. It acknowledges that while the strategy is statutory, its success depends on everyone—from the farmer managing the River Axe catchment to the gardener in a quiet cul-de-sac.
By regaining balance, Devon aims to create a landscape where wildlife can flourish alongside human needs. It is an invitation to see the beauty in the functional and the unruly.
The next time you see a "messy" hedgerow or an uncut verge, will you see a sign of neglect, or a landscape finally coming back to life?
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