Trees in front of Broadoak reservoir, Canterbury, Autumn
Credit: Jim Higham

The purpose of KNP

Our purpose is to provide the strategic coordination and leadership needed to restore nature across Kent and Medway, underpinning a thriving economy and healthy population. Delivery is provided by a wide range of private, public, and voluntary organisations.

The Environment Act is a once in a generation opportunity to restore nature. We are working on areas enshrined in the act, including Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Biodiversity Net Gain for new developments, all driving towards delivery of an ambitious Nature Recovery Network.

KNP recognises that we cannot look to policy and plans alone as the solution to nature recovery, it is how this policy is delivered on the ground that will be equally important. To this end, well designed and funded nature-based solutions to the climate crisis will be essential. This includes solutions to problems ranging from flooding and air quality, to managing and creating habitats that lock up and sequester huge amounts of carbon.

As well as shaping local policy and governance arrangements in these areas, KNP will promote examples of nature-based solutions in the county with the aim of ensuring better investment and decision making for these approaches.

Our aim is to ensure that our response to the climate emergency is strongly linked to addressing the ecological crisis facing our county’s biodiversity.