Hertfordshire County Council launched a questionnaire this week asking residents for their views on a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the county.

This strategy is the culmination of over 18 months of work by the Hertfordshire Nature Recovery Partnership, with support from environmental and ecological experts, land managers, district and borough councils and other organisations and communities.

The strategy offers what the council describe as a "a comprehensive vision for nature in Hertfordshire".

Hitchin has been identified as a hub for targeted action to protect Swifts.

What could this mean?

Measures to protect the birds could include:

-Swift nesting bricks installed in new developments including extensions

-Retrofitting of Swift bricks or boxes on properties owned by local authorities

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-Support given to volunteer-run projects to install Swift bricks / boxes onto existing properties and buildings. 

-Enhance grassland in parks and other public greenspaces for wildlife by leaving 12% unmown (e.g. wild strips, buffers and corners of fields) rotated on an annual basis, creating wildflower areas and managing by cutting and collecting. Ensure that change of management is supported by appropriate comms and signage where necessary.  

The overall strategy aims to help recover and protect the county's natural environment.

In a statement HCC explained that "through working together to create more space for nature, we can improve air and water quality, mitigate flooding, tackle climate change and improve access to green space. A lot of great environmental work goes on across Hertfordshire, but this strategy will help residents and organisations understand what kind of projects could be most effective in particular areas to support local biodiversity and improve certain habitats for wildlife".

Green zones in Hitchin show where targeted efforts to protect Swifts could occur