Nature Conservation Strategy

The aim of this strategy is to protect and enhance nature conservation in Rushcliffe, help mitigate the effects of climate change on wildlife and provide ready access to wildlife rich green spaces. There is a particular emphasis on species-rich grassland, wetland, trees and woodland habitats, and species characteristic of the Borough such as grizzled skipper butterflies, great crested newts and brown hare. Action will be achieved through forming effective partnerships, brought together through the Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy Implementation Group (RNCSIG).

The strategy identifies a wide range of issues that affect Rushcliffe's wildlife. It identifies that Rushcliffe's most important wildlife is found in a scattered network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Local Wildlife Sites (LWS). Rushcliffe is important for some species: Black poplar, barn owls, water voles and great crested newts are found in Rushcliffe but are scarce in certain areas of Nottinghamshire.

The strategy considers the importance of the wider countryside (not just nature reserves) and urban areas in supporting our wildlife. It examines the variety of habitats and species and seeks opportunities for community involvement. The role of the planning system in conserving our natural heritage is considered. There is scope for enhancing the Borough for wildlife with appropriate long-term funding, and whether it is the creation and management of a nature reserve or the construction of a garden pond, every action has a value in enhancing Rushcliffe's wildlife resource.

The strategy can be viewed online at Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy or the pdf version can be downloaded below.

In 2020 there were 8 nationally important Sites of Special Scientific Interest sites (SSSIs) listed in Rushcliffe and 225 sites important for Nottinghamshire (LWS). Maps of these sites are shown on the Insight Mapping website.

The "Nottinghamshire Local Wildlife Site Handbook", sets out the processes and criteria used to designated Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) in Nottinghamshire, this is produced by Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Record Centre. Please contact them for further details of the criteria for LWS and to report sitings of rare species.

Local Geological Sites (LGS) are a non-statutory designation based on locally developed criteria, which identifies geological and geomorphological sites of local importance. These sites were previously referred to as Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGs).

Rushcliffe Borough Council has declared some sites as Local Nature Reserves (LNRs); these are places that are managed as official nature reserves.

Summer Pollinator Scheme: The council is seeking to make its grassland sites more biodiverse, by not mowing them during the summer months. Details are provided on our Summer Pollinator page

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust also have nature reserves in the Borough. Our What's On pages gives details of what's going on in Rushcliffe.

The full document can be downloaded from the Related Documents area on the right hand side of this page. Further details on trees and woodlands can also be found on Trees in Rushcliffe below.

Please also visit the Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Facebook page for news about work on the strategy.

Strategy documents are also available on our Dropbox library.

Nature Conservation Forum

Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Forum's have been held since 2014, the forum presentations can also be viewed online in our Dropbox library.

Documents to download

Useful links

Nature Conservation