To halt and reverse nature’s decline...

1We have brought together the evidence needed to understand the state and health of Yorkshire’s nature. We now know: n Which species, and where, are declining or increasing n Which are Yorkshire stronghold species n Which habitats are important to support a nature rich Yorkshire, and the status of those habitats n How effective protected areas are, to ensure nature prospers

Crucially, we have a baseline to measure progress and monitor success, which we will publish and share.

Yorkshire Supports

However, we have seen species extinctions in Yorkshire and continue to experience species declines particularly of national rarities.

17 plant species have gone extinct in Yorkshire since before 1970

1 in 4 plant species have declined since before 2000

7% of our macro moth species have declined since 2000

Of the plants, birds and lepidoptera, nearly 300 are species of national conservation concern and around 130 have a particularly large part of their British distribution in our county, making us important custodians. We call these Yorkshire stronghold species.

35% of our breeding bird species have experienced a decline in their distribution between 1990 and 2010.

We know which habitats are especially important for our rarer and more threatened species and where we can focus interventions. But we also know that our wildlife sites and protected areas do not currently form a healthy and resilient ecological network able to halt and reverse the declines.

We want to work with others and develop a collective approach, to achieve a wilder future for Yorkshire.