The future of North Somerset's environment will be put in the hands of its residents in an upcoming consultation for an 'open, fairer, greener North Somerset'.
The consultation will put North Somerset Council's proposed green infrastructure strategy to the public in a bid to gauge what changes need to be made in the area to benefit its green and aquatic spaces.
Speaking in the authority's latest executive meeting, Green Party councillor, Bridget Petty, discussed the plan which would target eight objectives to 'protect and enhance the green infrastructure network within North Somerset'.
These objectives include improved and better-connected ecological networks, greater resilience to climate change, sustainable water management and to build a resilient economy.
Cllr Petty said: "The North Somerset landscape, with its parks, beaches, green spaces, wildlife, countryside, public rights of way and waterways, is precious.
"Since the Covid-19 crisis, our appreciation for our natural environment has never been greater, but the climate and nature emergency has shown just how fragile our environment is and how careful management is needed to enable it to flourish."
Cllr Petty is the council's executive for climate emergency and environment and aims to make North Somerset carbon neutral in less than a decade.
She added: "It is now more important than ever to protect and manage our open spaces to maximise the huge benefits they provide to our quality of life.
"This will need more co-operation and collaboration. That is why we have prepared this new green infrastructure strategy.
"We want this work to contribute to improving habitats for wildlife, enhance biodiversity and to support improved health and wellbeing for our residents.
“We want to understand whether the ambition of the strategy, its content, aims and objectives are right and, if not, what we might be missing. So please get involved in the consultation and give us your feedback."
The consultation began on February 15 and will run for eight weeks via an online questionnaire.
For more information on the plan, and to take the questionnaire, log on to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/greeninfrastructurestrategy
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here