With a widely acknowledged crisis in biodiversity and the natural world, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership (CIoSLNP) has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer.

The new CEO, Peter Marsh, will retain his responsibilities in Cornwall Council as Service Director for the environment, but will also take on the new role of Chief Executive Officer for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership.

Peter said: “I am delighted to take on this new role for the Local Nature Partnership. We are at a critical juncture in our history where leadership is required to put in place the actions required to repair and grow our natural places, and I intend to ensure that this new role is at the heart of that.”

Nature partnership chair, Lord Robin Teverson said: “We face a crisis in the natural world with a major decline in nature. It’s a challenge as big as climate change. And it is just as much a challenge in Cornwall and Scilly as it is in the tropics and the rainforests. Different animals and plants but still the same decline in nature

“That is why it’s so vital that Cornwall and Scilly’s Local Nature Partnership steps up its work to put that decline into reverse. If we fail then we will not have the insects to pollinate our crops, healthy soils to grow them, or sufficient trees to take carbon out of our atmosphere.

“The appointment of Peter as our first chief executive will give us that extra focus to drive our fight back for nature. It means we can work more closely with all our many partners in Cornwall and Scilly who have the same agenda.”

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership brings together environmental groups from across the two authorities to promote environmental growth, increase biodiversity, and promote nature. It is currently refreshing its Environmental Growth Strategy, and producing Cornwall’s Nature Recovery Plan in conjunction with Cornwall Council.

It has a diverse board membership that includes the RSPB, Cornwall Council, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, the Environment Agency, Natural England, and Cornwall and Scilly’s two Wildlife Trusts.