Local Wildlife Site Annual Monitoring Report 2020-2021
This Annual Monitoring Report gives an overview of monitoring of Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) in North Merseyside for…
Local Wildlife Site Annual Monitoring Report 2021-2022
Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) are non-statutory designated sites which aim to protect species and habitats of local conservation importance. They act as important assets at a local, regional and national level for their nature conservation value and are selected for being the most valuable areas for wildlife within each Local Authority area. Whilst there are some significant variations between districts e.g. the heavily designated Sefton Coast and estuarine environments, almost a quarter of North Merseyside’s land area is protected through LWS designation and local planning policy. Therefore, LWSs are extremely important assets for our local nature recovery and form the backbone of the Liverpool City Region’s Ecological Network.
Local Sites Guidance (DEFRA, 2006)
Non-statutory Local Sites, of which there are in the region of 35,000 in England, make a vital contribution to delivering both the UK and Local Biodiversity and Geodiversity Action Plan targets and maintaining local natural character and distinctiveness. They provide important and widely distributed wildlife refuges for most of our fauna and flora and, through their connecting, stepping stone and buffering qualities, support other site networks.