Environmental Protection

Local authorities run initiatives to protect plants, animals and wildlife habitats as part of their biodiversity awareness activities.

Local authorities provide information and advice to the public about protecting habitats, planting wildlife meadows, developing and preserving ecosystems, and removing invasive species to protect local biodiversity.

Local authorities may provide financial support to community groups, schools and environmental non governmental organisations to carry out small environmental projects to promote sustainable development.

Local authorities may maintain drainage districts where drainage schemes were built to improve agricultural land.

Local authorities may provide information and advice to the public about invasive plant and animal species such as giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, winter heliotrope, the grey squirrel, the Chinese mitten crab, the ruddy duck and the American mink.

You can report sightings of invasive plant and animal species to the local authority. These species include giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, winter heliotrope, the grey squirrel, the Chinese mitten crab, the ruddy duck and the American mink.

Local authorities may designate areas of outstanding natural beauty or special recreational value as Special Amenity Areas. You can have an input into the designations through consultation.

Local authorities assess relevant planning applications to measure the impact on special areas of conservation (SACs). Habitats and species which must be protected in SACs include bogs, sand dunes, lakes, rivers, woodlands, otters, salmon and bottlenose dolphins.

Local authorities may issue preservation orders for trees and woodlands to prevent them from being cut down or destroyed without permission.

Local authorities may maintain a public register of all tree preservation orders.

Local authorities manage wetlands to protect these natural habitats.