A bid to ensure the natural habitat plays a key role in the future economic success of Suffolk and Norfolk has been launched.

Wild Anglia has been set up as an inclusive partnership and believes that the environment need not be seen as an impediment to economic growth. It says Norfolk and Suffolk should lead the way with “innovative and brave decisions”.

“Wild Anglia’s aim is to make nature stronger and more resilient across the two counties so that species and habitats will not only be conserved, but will thrive and expand.” said Richard Powell, regional director of the National Trust (NT) and chairman of Wild Anglia.

“It is now widely accepted at the highest levels that nature and the natural capital must be invested in and robust in order that it may continue to serve our society and our local economy into the future. That is what we want to do.”

Some members of Wild Anglia met together at NT Dunwich Cliffs recently to begin the work of writing the manifesto that it is hoped will become a blueprint for the rest of the UK.

Minsmere is seen as a great example of the economic influence ‘Wild Anglia’ has on the economy. Over 89,000 people visited the RSPB centre in the last financial year with many of them going on to visit and spend in other areas of New Anglia.

“We are delighted that Wild Anglia will strengthen and increase the natural wealth of Norfolk and Suffolk and to sustain nature wherever it is found,” said Powell who is a board member of the New Anglia Green Economy Pathfinder which is leading the work across Suffolk and Norfolk to highlight the importance of the ‘green’ economy.

“It will work alongside New Anglia and help to develop the Green Economy Manifesto which aims to help local businesses recognise and benefit from the two counties’ natural environment.”

Local Nature Partnerships are seeking to bring together a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations at a local level to create a vision and plan of action for the natural environment.

Working together under the Local Nature Partnership umbrella will achieve more that component organisations acting in isolation. The Wild Anglia’s Board met for the first time in November and includes a wide range of interests including the environment, business and health sectors.