Councillors have received an update on actions taken by Devon County Council to protect and improve biodiversity across the county.

The Biodiversity Duty Report explains how the Council is meeting its legal duty under the Environment Act 2021 to consider and act on ways to conserve and enhance wildlife and natural habitats.

It covers the period from January 2024 to December 2025 and will now be submitted to the Government.

The report highlights a wide range of activity, including work to restore habitats on Council‑owned land, support nature recovery through planning, and work with communities and partners across Devon.

Examples of activity set out in the report include new woodland planting, improvements to country parks, wildlife‑friendly management of canals and highways, and support for projects that improve rivers, wetlands and green spaces.

The report also describes the Council’s role in preparing the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which will set out priorities for restoring nature across the county.

The report makes clear that responsibility for protecting biodiversity sits across all Council services, not just environmental teams, and that progress would be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for climate change, said:

“This report sets out how the council is meeting is statutory duties under the Environment Act to conserve and enhance biodiversity across all of our services, covering the period from January 2024 to December 2025.

“It provides formal assurances that biodiversity is being embedded across our strategic planning, estate management, highways development and partnership activities.

“It demonstrates that biodiversity is a corporate responsibility closely linked to climate resilience, flood risk management, water quality, health and wellbeing and long term sustainability for Devon’s communities.

“Importantly, this report shows how we are delivering real benefits to residents from healthier and more accessible spaces to stronger eco systems that help reduce flood risk, improve water quality, supports wildlife and that builds resilience to climate change.”