Biodiversity in Wyre Forest

A rich and diverse natural environment

Wyre Forest District is home to a remarkable variety of habitats and species, making it one of the most ecologically significant areas in the West Midlands. The district lies within the Severn catchment and is strongly influenced by the River Severn and its tributaries, which form important ecological corridors linking habitats across the landscape.

These river systems support a range of valuable habitats, including wetlands, floodplain grazing marshes and riparian woodland, providing refuge for wildlife and helping species move through the wider countryside.

At the heart of the district lies the internationally important Wyre Forest, one of the largest remaining areas of semi-natural ancient woodland in England. This nationally significant woodland supports a rich mosaic of habitats, including oak-dominated high forest, coppice woodland and wood pasture, which together provide vital homes for a wide range of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Beyond the main forest block, the district's biodiversity is enriched by a network of important habitats, including:

• Ancient and semi-natural woodland fragments.
• Traditional orchards and veteran trees, which provide essential habitat for fungi, lichens, bats and saproxylic (dead wood dependent) invertebrates.
• Hedgerows, scrub and field margins, which create important wildlife corridors and help connect isolated habitats.
• Acid grassland and heathland habitats, supporting specialised plant and animal communities.

Together, these habitats form a resilient ecological network that contributes to the environmental quality, landscape character and natural heritage of the district.

Our strategic objective

Wyre Forest District Council is committed to conserving, restoring and enhancing biodiversity across the district.

Our strategic objective is:

To conserve, restore and enhance biodiversity across Wyre Forest District, secure measurable biodiversity net gains, strengthen ecological networks, and contribute to the delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and national environmental objectives.

Delivering nature recovery

The Worcestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) provides a strategic framework for reversing biodiversity decline and creating a more connected and resilient nature recovery network across the county. Developed in partnership with local authorities, environmental organisations, landowners, businesses and communities, the LNRS identifies the most valuable existing habitats and highlights opportunities for habitat creation, restoration and enhancement.

Within Wyre Forest District, the LNRS recognises the importance of the River Severn corridor, the internationally significant Wyre Forest, ancient woodlands, traditional orchards, species-rich grasslands and the wider network of hedgerows and watercourses that connect these habitats.

The Council will support the delivery of the Worcestershire LNRS by:

• Protecting and enhancing existing priority habitats and designated sites.
• Encouraging habitat creation and restoration in locations identified as having the greatest potential for nature recovery.
• Supporting measures that improve ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats.
• Promoting biodiversity net gain and nature-positive development through the planning process.
• Working collaboratively with landowners, local communities, conservation organisations and neighbouring authorities to achieve shared environmental outcomes.

Wyre Forest District Council aims to contribute to a joined-up, landscape-scale approach to nature recovery, ensuring that wildlife and natural habitats can thrive now and into the future.

By protecting and enhancing our natural environment, we can ensure that Wyre Forest District remains a place where wildlife thrives, while delivering wider benefits for people and communities through improved climate resilience, better water quality, natural flood management, carbon storage, enhanced health and wellbeing, and the long-term sustainability of the district for future generations.

Managing land for nature

Wyre Forest District Council plays a significant role in conserving and enhancing biodiversity through the ownership and management of a diverse portfolio of parks, open spaces, nature reserves and other green infrastructure across the district.

The Council manages 18 sites primarily for their biodiversity value, including three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and nine Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). These sites support a wide range of important habitats, including lowland heath, acidic grassland, wet woodland and wetland, providing essential refuges for wildlife while offering residents opportunities to experience and connect with nature close to where they live.

The Council is committed to managing these sites in ways that maintain and enhance their ecological value. Alongside habitat management, opportunities are provided for local communities to engage with the natural environment through volunteer activities, guided walks and educational events, helping to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and encouraging active participation in nature recovery.

Biodiversity in parks and open spaces

In addition to managing designated nature sites, the Council is responsible for maintaining parks, play areas and other public open spaces across the district's towns and villages. While these spaces must continue to provide safe, welcoming and accessible places for recreation, opportunities are taken wherever possible to integrate measures that support biodiversity.

Management practices include allowing selected grassed areas beneath trees and on steep banks to develop into species-rich flowering habitats, installing bird and bat boxes, and retaining suitable deadwood where appropriate to provide habitat for invertebrates, fungi and other wildlife. These measures help create valuable pockets of habitat within urban areas while maintaining the primary recreational function of these spaces.

Creating connected habitats

Well-connected habitats are essential for healthy and resilient wildlife populations. As part of its wider approach to biodiversity management, the Council seeks opportunities to improve ecological connectivity across the urban landscape, enabling species to move between parks, nature reserves and the wider countryside.

One example of this approach is the management of selected highway verges as pollinator habitats. Where it is safe and appropriate to do so, traditional mowing regimes have been replaced with late summer cuts, allowing wildflowers to bloom and set seed in a manner that reflects traditional meadow management. These areas provide valuable feeding and breeding habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, while contributing to a wider network of habitats throughout the district. Visitors may notice these areas identified by Pollinator Patch signage across the district's towns.