Stoke-on-Trent City Council has set out new plans to protect wildlife, restore natural habitats and improve access to green spaces across the city.
The proposals are outlined in the council’s first Statutory Biodiversity Report, which sets out how the authority will help nature recover over the next five years.
The five-year programme will explore the opportunity for more council-owned land managed for nature – including mini wildflower meadows and woodlands in parks and community green spaces.
The plans also aim to better connect wildlife sites across the city so animals can move more easily between habitats, alongside new walking routes and improved signage to help residents explore local nature sites.
The council will also work with schools and community groups to support volunteering projects and promote wildlife-friendly gardening.
The council will also work closely with schools and communities to support local volunteering and promote wildlife-friendly gardening.
The report comes at a critical time for nature in the UK, with species populations declining by an average of 19 per cent since 1970. Much-loved animals including water voles and hedgehogs are now at risk of extinction.
Work is already underway across Stoke-on-Trent to restore habitats and support wildlife. Recent projects include reedbed restoration, heathland management and woodland improvements to support species such as barn owls and great crested newts.
Some 119 hectares of council land are now managed through agri-environment schemes focusing on policies and farming methods that promote sustainability, biodiversity, and conservation. These support habitats, landscapes and historic features in return for government funding.
The council has also partnered with organisations including Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Trent Rivers Trust and the Canal & River Trust on larger-scale nature recovery projects. These include restoring stretches of the River Trent, creating new wetlands, improving footpaths and planting more than 270 native trees.
At Chatterley Whitfield Country Park, work is underway to restore habitat for the rare dingy skipper butterfly, which thrives in post-industrial landscapes. Volunteering sessions have seen dozens of residents sign up to support the project, while family nature activities delivered with the Trent Rivers Trust have taken place during the Easter holidays.
In recent weeks the council has also acquired additional land at Berryhill Fields, which it plans to safeguard as open space and manage to improve biodiversity.
Councillor Amjid Wazir OBE, cabinet member for city pride and sustainability at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Protecting and improving nature in Stoke-on-Trent is incredibly important. Our parks, green spaces and nature reserves are home to a wide range of wildlife and are also vital places for residents to relax, exercise and connect with nature.
“This report sets out how we will build on the work already taking place across the city to restore habitats, support wildlife and make it easier for people to enjoy our natural spaces.
“By working with partners, schools and local communities, we can make a real difference and help nature recover for future generations.”
David Cadman, Head of Nature Recovery Networks Staffordshire Wildlife Trust: “We welcome the Council’s commitment to long‑term protection and enhancement of the city’s natural environment.
“A healthy, wildlife-rich landscape is vital for clean air, water and our overall wellbeing. With the right approach and resources, these green spaces can be vibrant, wild and accessible places for both people and nature.”
Henriette Breukelaar, director of West Midlands at Canal & River Trust, said: “Our canals play such an important role in people’s everyday lives, offering peaceful places to walk, spend time with family and connect with nature.
“We’re proud to be working with Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council and local community groups to improve these much‑loved spaces so that residents of all ages can enjoy cleaner, greener and more wildlife‑friendly routes.
“By restoring habitats and making our canals more accessible, we’re helping ensure these special places continue to bring wellbeing, pride and opportunities for people to get involved for years to come.”
- More articles in the news archive
- Stoke-on-Trent news RSS feed