Our Blueprint for nature’s recovery

The UK's progress towards meeting international targets to protect and effectively manage 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 is woefully behind. However, the Trust has bold, achievable, collective ambitions for nature’s recovery in Yorkshire.

Over the past year, we’ve researched, discussed and written a robust and challenging, but hugely exciting plan to show how we can meet – and potentially exceed – the 30 by 30 target here in Yorkshire. We have now published that plan.

Bringing Yorkshire’s Nature Back, a blueprint for nature’s recovery builds upon international guidance, current government policy, progressive conservation principles and the findings of our State of Yorkshire’s Nature 2024 report.

What is the 30 by 30 target?

The science shows that 30% of land positively managed for nature is the minimum required to maintain global biodiversity. Almost 200 nations have agreed to the international targets established in the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of land, waters and seas by 2030. The UK Government has also committed to this legally binding target which forms the foundation of its nature recovery ambitions.

How can 30 by 30 be achieved in Yorkshire?

We have identified seven opportunities for delivering 30 by 30 for Yorkshire which could secure a healthier future for all life in Yorkshire. By working and delivering in each of these key areas, we can reach that crucial 30%.

Improve protected areas
Protect more places for nature
Revitalise our Protected Landscapes
Create new nature-rich landscapes
Reconnect wild spaces
Restore threatened species
Mobilise nature positive communities

Yorkshire is taking the stand nationally – this is the first time a detailed plan of this kind has been published - while ensuring a positive future locally, so nature survives and recovers on the scale we need it to.

Read the Blueprint for Nature’s Recovery here

We talked to our members about the Blueprint at our AGM and have just met with a range of key stakeholders and partners across Yorkshire to begin building a committed coalition for action.

We are delighted and encouraged with the positive reception for our report and willingness to take the next steps, recognising the challenges and work together for a more positive future for wildlife in Yorkshire.

The publication of the blueprint is a hugely exciting moment and we are delighted that so many recognise this vision and support an aligned approach. We’ve needed direction and committed action, for a very long time and finally this plan, backed by science and research, will help us to make crucial headway in protecting more of Yorkshire’s nature by working together.

The time is now for collective and focused action across our landscapes, from our parks and gardens, through farmland and along rivers to the wilder pockets of nature-rich woodlands, wetlands and coastline.

Achieving 30% of land positively managed for nature will require a collaborative and cross sectoral effort. We are pleased to have started the discussions with colleagues about how we can engage our networks to support the ambition and build momentum for action.

Saving Yorkshire’s nature

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has always spoken up boldly for wildlife and stewarded precious wild places wherever and whenever we can. The blueprint also complements existing work and strong partnerships including Yorkshire’s four Local Nature Recovery Strategies – each of which will contribute to a county wide nature network.

However, committed and collaborative action for nature and wild spaces has never been so crucial as Government still plans to push through sweeping and damaging changes with their Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

This blueprint is hugely ambitious but also the best opportunity Yorkshire has ever had for nature and securing our future health and prosperity.