New Lincolnshire mayor 'must embrace nature'
BBCWildlife and conservation groups say it is "essential" that the new Lincolnshire mayor embraces nature and supports environmental improvement.
Groups including The Woodland Trust, National Trust, RSPB and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust issued the call to the mayoral candidates ahead of Thursday's election.
The organisations said the mayor must shape a "greener, more resilient future", including building climate resilience, cutting emissions and restoring wetlands and soils.
Caroline Killeavey, from National Trust, said: "It's about recognising the power of nature and the power of the environment to people's lives."
Paul Learoyd, chief executive of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said it was an important opportunity for Greater Lincolnshire.
"We hope the new mayor will embrace nature and see it as part of the solution to many of the issues we face as an area," he said.
Mr Learoyd said he hoped the mayor would also bring together areas such as food, farming and flooding.
He added: "This is an opportunity for the whole of Lincolnshire to work together and the Wildlife Trust has a history of working with local authorities from the Humber down to Gibraltar Point in the south of the county."
Ms Killeavey said the Sandilands Nature Reserve, which is under construction on the site of a former golf course, was a "great example" of how conservationists have worked closely with local authorities.
"National Trust's investment here, along with all the partners and local authorities, is going to make a massive difference to people's lives," she said.
"When this is completed in a few months everyone will have access to really good quality nature - this will benefit everything from people's health to the local economy."
She said she would be contacting the new mayor once elected to invite them down to Sandilands.
Candidates' views
Sally Horscroft, from the Green Party, said: "If we are to cut climate emissions and improve our environment, we must learn to work with nature", adding that it was vital to recognise the importance of nature to our well-being.
Independent candidate Marianne Overton said she had been a "staunch supporter" of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust for many years, and was strongly in favour of natural solutions wherever possible. She said she was also an advocate for "solar on roofs, not farmland".
Jason Stockwood, from Labour, said: "If elected, I will put protecting and enhancing our coast, countryside and natural environment at the heart of our region's future."
Rob Waltham, Conservative, said: "By balancing growth with green investment we can achieve our goals of protecting and enhancing nature and wildlife for our area."
He said his aim would be to plant more trees and create new nature reserves, along with off-road cycle routes.
The BBC has contacted the remaining candidates for their views.
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