The public consultation for Northern Ireland’s draft Nature Recovery Strategy has been extended.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said it will now be accepted submissions on the draft plan until April 15, 2026.
The draft Nature Recovery Strategy contains five strategic objectives and actions aiming to help deliver transformation across government, business and society to safeguard and restore nature and biodiversity.
Some actions have already been agreed or are in development in existing strategies and policies.
The draft also includes additional new actions that have been identified to further promote nature restoration.
Nature strategy
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir DAERA will convene a Nature Recovery Forum to oversee the implementation of the strategy.
“Publishing the Nature Recovery Strategy is one of my key pledges and the consultation on the draft strategy has generated significant interest.
“I have considered feedback from stakeholders who have been engaging with my department during the consultation.
“It has become clear that extra time is needed to ensure they can provide valuable information and a level of detail that will enhance the final strategy as well as making a difference to nature restoration.
“I encourage everyone, from all parts of society, to use this extended period to respond to the consultation. Everyone must work together to help nature recover,” he said.
The strategy and consultation documents are available on the DAERA website.
According to DAERA, nature is in decline across the world, including Northern Ireland, where many habitats and species are under threat with 40% of the flora and fauna in the most protected sites falling short of ‘favourable condition’ standards.
Only one of 49 priority habitat types in Northern Ireland are considered to be at favourable conservation status, while 12% of Northern Ireland species are currently threatened with extinction.
