Tools and Data to Support Nature’s Recovery
Biodiversity Net Gain
In the UK, the government introduced a legal requirement through the Environment Act 2021 for most new developments to deliver at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity. In the Cambridge area, this is expected to be 20% in some cases.
Net Gain – Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is a free, non-commercial web platform, managed by Natural Cambridgeshire and developed by the Wildlife Trust, that incorporates the known Cambridge Nature Network BNG habitat-creation sites.
Explore the Biodiversity Net Gain platform for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Cambridge & Peterborough
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) programme is a national Government initiative designed to set priorities for nature recovery across England in response to the national decline in biodiversity. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are among the most nature-depleted areas in England. https://naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk/local-nature-recovery-strategy/
Part 1: Local Nature Recovery Strategy Report
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)
guides action across the region. This strategy was developed in collaboration
with many stakeholders, including local
authorities, government agencies, environmental organisations and residents. Published in December 2025.
Part 2: Statement of Biodiversity Priorities Report
Details of the six Natural Cambridgeshire priority landscapes identified for the LNRS: Cambridge Nature Network, John Clare Countryside, Connected Fens, Nene Valley, West Cambridgeshire Hundreds and Great Ouse Valley. Published in December 2025.
Nature Recovery from the Ground Up
Nature Recovery – From the Ground Up (NR-FGU) is led by Cambridgeshire County Council and Natural Cambridgeshire. The project helps local communities create their own Community Nature Recovery Plans. These plans focus on what matters to local people and support the goals of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Ongoing project
Opportunity Mapping for Habitat Creation
This map was prepared in 2023 to track the known BNG habitat banks within the Cambridge Nature Network area.
This map shows current ‘areas of particular importance for biodiversity’ (APIB) as well as our ‘areas that could become of particular importance for biodiversity’ (ACB) within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LNRS.
An analysis of publicly available data on the River Cam catchment, incorporating the operational catchments of Cam Rhee & Granta and Cam Lower, conducted by the Cam Catchment Partnership. It identifies areas for potential river improvement. It provides a water-focused analysis that can be used alongside the LNRS.
Cambridge Nature Network Reports
Summary and Final reports from Cambridge Nature Network Projects
