This Natural Capital Strategy is a product of the North Devon Landscape Pioneer, one of four pioneers set up to test approaches in the 25 Year Environment Plan. It will be of interest to those with responsibility for people and nature in North Devon, as well as a wider audience committed to protecting and enhancing the benefits people get from nature everywhere.
This strategy covers the land area of the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere. Like many rural areas North Devon faces many environmental challenges. Our strategy identifies four priorities for urgent action. These are: protecting and improving water quality, minimising flood risk, increasing carbon capture and storage and managing tourism and recreation pressure
The strategy then describes the strategic solutions to support and enhance these priorities. Solutions involve changes to the way land is used and managed, as well as changes to governance.
Annex 1 shows the natural capital evidence collated and used during our process.
The Natural England Commissioned Report number 291 – Root Cause Analysis for the North Devon Landscape Pioneer – reports the work done by the pioneer to understand the priorities in more detail and develop potential solutions.
The Natural England Commissioned Report number 292 – Natural Capital Investment Opportunities for North Devon – explores four solutions which could be developed into innovative funding opportunities.