Local Nature Recovery Strategy Community Seed Fund
Applications for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Seed Fund opened on 26 October 2026 and will close on 11 January 2027.
You can apply to the Seed Fund online.
Start nowGuidance for Applicants is available. You can read it below. We strongly recommend that all applicants read the guidance before you submit an application.
Somerset LNRS Project Monitoring Form
Somerset Council has a statutory responsibility to monitor progress in delivering the Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). This includes building a picture of the actions and projects taking place across Somerset that contribute to the priorities and measures identified in the Strategy.
A project or activity may be considered aligned with the LNRS where it supports one or more of its priorities or measures.
The LNRS Monitoring Form helps us understand what action for nature is taking place across Somerset, where it is happening and how it contributes to the LNRS.
The form asks for information about your project or activity, including:
- what you are doing
- when the project started or is expected to start
- where it is taking place
- how it is being funded, where applicable
The information will help Somerset Council build a clearer picture of LNRS-related activity across the county and support future monitoring and reporting.
Who can complete the form?
Anyone delivering or supporting action for nature in Somerset can submit information, including:
- Community organisations
- Farmers
- Landowners
- Charities and voluntary organisations
- Businesses
- Somerset Residents
- Other organisations or individuals taking action for nature
Answering the core questions should not take longer than 15 minutes, but if you wish to answer the additional questions it may take around 30 minutes. This will help us build a more detailed picture of nature recovery activity across Somerset.
A guide explaining how to complete the form, including how to accurately record the location of your project, can be found here:
Nature Recovery Project Map
Information submitted through the Monitoring Form will help build a picture of nature recovery activity taking place across Somerset.
By showcasing activity already underway and planned, the map can help people and organisations connect, share knowledge and identify opportunities for collaboration.
As more projects are added, the map will provide an increasingly useful picture of how organisations, communities and individuals are contributing to the priorities of the Somerset LNRS and where there may be opportunities to strengthen connections between nature recovery activities.
Explore the map
The map below shows nature recovery projects and activities across Somerset that have been submitted through the LNRS Monitoring Form
Somerset LNRS Projects MapOur Local Nature Recovery Strategy
This new county-wide strategy sets out how we can work together to support nature’s recovery across Somerset – creating landscapes that are richer in wildlife, more resilient to climate change, and better for people.
Developed with input from partners, landowners, communities, and experts, the LNRS provides a shared evidence base and a locally agreed plan for action. It identifies Somerset’s most valuable existing habitats, highlights opportunities to restore and connect spaces for nature, and sets out priority outcomes for recovery.
The LNRS provides a county-wide framework to help target investment, guide land management, and support projects that deliver real benefits for people, nature, and the climate.
Somerset’s Nature Recovery Strategy has 8 Habitat themes, with 42 priority outcomes plus 153 Actions to support 150 priority species.
Useful resources
- Find answers to common questions about the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
- Learn how communities across Somerset are getting involved in nature recovery.
- Find guidance, resources and support from Somerset Wildlife Trust to help you get started.
Local Habitat Map
The Local Habitat Map is a key component of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. It highlights existing valuable habitats and the best locations for future habitat restoration or creation, helping guide conservation actions, land management, and planning decisions within an LNRS.
What the Local Habitat Map shows
- Existing areas of important wildlife habitats, including national conservation sites, Local Nature Reserves, Local Wildlife Sites and areas of ‘irreplaceable habitat’. These are called Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIBs).
- Areas proposed as the best places to create and restore habitat, to achieve the most for biodiversity and the wider environment. These are called Areas that Could Become of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (ACBIs).
User guide
Please take a look at the Local Habitat Map User Guide (PDF) before you go to the map.
View the Local Habitat MapTo understand more about how our mapping was made, read the full methodology: Appendix A – Developing the LNRS, Data, Evidence and Methodology (PDF).
Somerset’s LNRS was endorsed by Somerset Council on 11 March 2026. It received approval from its Supporting Authority (Exmoor National Park Authority) on 5 March 2026 and Government Arms Length Bodies (Natural England, Forestry Commission and Environment Agency) on 23 February 2026.
For more information please read the Public Consultation report: Appendix C – Public Consultation Report (PDF)
The finalised strategy and mapping was published on 26 March 2026.
If you would like more information about the LNRS or would like access to some of the data, please email: LNRS@somerset.gov.uk
