Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, insects and animals, ecosystems and habitats in an area.
Key habitats in Torfaen include:
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)