West of England leaders pledge to 'turn the tide' on nature's decline

West Country leaders have pledged to “turn the tide” on nature’s decline as part of regional growth plans.

The joint commitment was made by the West of England mayor, Helen Godwin, along with the heads of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire councils.

Speaking at Wild Summit - a new conference for the nature sector hosted at Bristol Beacon - Ms Godwin said environmental investment created “economic return” and was “among the many things” driving the region’s growth.

“As we turn the page in the West, and write our regional growth strategy, together we will back nature,” she said. “This is a smart investment in the prosperity, resilience, and wellbeing of communities across our area for years to come.”

The regional growth strategy will be publish