Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is in the midst of a climate and ecological emergency. Nature plays a vital role in responding to each of these challenges and we need to take urgent action to help nature recover.

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership is a collaboration of local partners working together to grow nature – leading our local ambition for nature recovery.

Local Nature Partnership’s were formed following the 2011 Natural Environment White Paper, The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature. Our role is to provide local, joined-up strategic leadership for the natural environment; and to champion nature’s value for the benefit of the environment, people and the economy across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Our Ambition:

Our collective ambition is to work towards 30% of land, rivers and seas being well managed for nature by 2030.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery Strategy is a statutory strategy that has been locally led and developed over 18 months, led by Cornwall council and steered by our Local Nature Partnership.

It has been shaped by thousands of local views from environment professionals, farmers and growers, foresters, biological recorders, local businesses, Town and Parish Councils and others though a series of workshops, surveys, events and consultation.

It provides guidance to support delivery of nature recovery across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly so that we can have more nature which is bigger, better and joined up. This will help us all to meet our local target of 30% of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's land, rivers and seas being well-managed for nature by 2030.

Our Environmental Growth Strategy(2020-2065) provides a longer-term framework for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to not just conserve, but to grow nature. Environmental growth is about not just protecting but also enhancing nature – ensuring that there is more of it, and that it is bigger, better, more diverse and more joined up. It is focused around 10 pillars for action to help nature regenerate and to provide the natural foundations for a green recovery.

Want to get Involved?

We can all do something. Whether its making space spaces for nature on our windowsills or in our gardens, planting trees in our communities, farming and fishing in nature friendly ways, or volunteering our time and energy. If you're already doing something for nature, or have plans to, let us know by joining our pledge for nature campaign!

Our Work:

The LNP is working hard to champion nature across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Our priorities for 2025 are:

Recent Success

With the support of our various sub-groups, aligned to our priorities, some of our collective achievements over the last few years include:

• Steering the creation of the first ever Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery Strategy – the 3rd to be published in England
• Creation of the first ever Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine Nature Recovery Framework, thanks to the efforts of the Marine and Coastal Partnership
• A strategic report on Seaweed farming, which led to letters from the LNP to the Marine Management Organisation, the Crown Estate, and Cornwall Council, the response to which is still ongoing - Marine and Coastal Partnership.
• Launch of the Cornwall Natural Capital Exchange Platform to showcase projects seeking investment, with thanks to the Catchment Partnership.
• Commissioning of the Environmental Enforcement and Compliance review, and subsequent publication of the new Enforcement infographic, directory and related awareness campaign, thanks to the support and input of the Enforcement and Compliance Sub-Group.
• Putting the farming sector at the heart of the work of the LNP, with strong steer from the Farming and Landowner Working Group throughout the creation of the Nature Recovery Strategy.
• The establishment of the award-winning Farming, Food and Nature Hub at the Royal Cornwall Show.

Our Partnership:

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership is made up of public, private and third sector members whose mission is to promote environmental growth in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, especially reversing biodiversity loss and the retreat of nature both on land, river and at sea.

Current board members:

• Lord Robin Teverson – Independent (Chair)
• Matt Walpole - Cornwall Wildlife Trust (Deputy Chair)
• Vicky Fraser – Cornwall Council (CEO)
• Mark Rice – Environment Agency
• Andrea Ayres – Natural England
• Phil Mason – Cornwall Council
• Julian Branscombe – Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
• Russell Ashman – CEO of Isles of Scilly Council
• Ilya Maclean – Evidence Specialist (ESI, University of Exeter)
• Cllr Loic Rich - Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change and Deputy Group Leader - Independent Group
• Cllr John Peacock - Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, Environment Services and Climate Change
• Martin Howlett – Farming Specialist
• Siân Rees – Marine Specialist (Plymouth University)
• Clare Parnell – Farming Specialist
• Nick Lawrence – Land and Nature Management Specialist

Board minutes from 2022 onwards can be downloaded from this web page. Board minutes from 2013 are available on request, please contact us on cioslnp@cornwall.gov.uk to learn more.