Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, insects and animals, ecosystems and habitats in an area.
Key habitats in Torfaen include ancient deciduous woodland, wetlands, species rich grassland and heather dominated upland heath.
There are several notable species in Torfaen, including:
- Around 20 UK priority species
- 136 species whose population levels are of concern
- 40 species of interest
What we’re doing
- The council declared a joint Climate and Nature emergency in September 2021. The Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan (opens in new tab) outlines a range of measures to protect and enhance local biodiversity and eco-systems
- Our County Plan includes a Well-being Objective to respond to the climate and nature emergency. Annual delivery plans outline how that is being achieved
- Our Green Infrastructure Strategy (opens in new tab) and Tree Strategy (opens in new tab) outlines how we plan to enhance and protect trees and green spaces
- Every three years we produce a report on how we have applied the Welsh Government’s Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty (opens in new tab)
- We have also produced a plan setting out how we will co-ordinate the implementation of the biodiversity duty across the council - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience Plan 2025 - 2030 (opens in new tab)
- We work closely with other organisations, including neighbouring local authorities, the Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Local Nature Partnership and the Gwent Green Grid Partnership
How you can help
- Let some of your garden go wilder and introducing wildflowers
- Avoid replacing green areas with hard surfaces that don’t soak up water
- Create holes in fencing to enable animals like hedgehogs to move around
- Grow your own fruit and vegetables
- Get involved with a community orchard project
- Record wildlife in your locality and share the information via the South-East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre online recording system (opens in new tab)