Somerset Council is urging residents to seize their final opportunity to guide the future of nature in the county.

The call in time for Earth Day, which is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.

April presents the last chance to submit responses to a public survey, which closes on April 30, centred on understanding how nature is valued in Somerset.

The responses will be used in the creation of Somerset's Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the LNRS is developed by local authorities across England.

Somerset Council, in collaboration with Somerset Local Nature Partnership, is spearheading the LNRS for Somerset.

The strategy serves as a unified vision for nature recovery as well as outlining priorities and opportunities.

It is designed to pinpoint locations most suitable for nature restoration and places where enhancing biodiversity could yield additional environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration, flood regulation, and access to nature-rich spaces for health and wellbeing.

Work is underway to evaluate Somerset's habitat types, where they occur, their condition, the pressures they face, desired outcomes and what actions are needed to achieve these outcomes.

Information on species and habitats is being pooled from numerous sources as part of the LNRS.

Wildlife specialists, government organisations, environmental charities, farmers, landowners and managers, businesses, groups, and communities have all been involved in shaping the LNRS.

Councillor Dixie Darch, executive member for environment and climate change, said: "Somerset has some of the most spectacular habitats and wildlife in the UK, but our natural environment faces urgent and significant challenges.

"The latest Somerset State of Nature Report demonstrates that we need to do much more to reverse the decline in nature and help Somerset’s wildlife to thrive.

"Each and every one of us benefits from nature, without it, we are lost.

"I encourage everyone to take part in the survey and make a positive difference for our beautiful county."

More than 500 responses have already been received from the public survey.

The council has thanked all who have already taken part and urges others to have their voice heard before the survey's closing date.

Compiled data will contribute to the draft strategy, which is set to be published for consultation in the coming autumn.