Recent emphasis on regional government has led to planning for biodiversity in the North West. A Biodiversity Audit of North West England was produced in 1999 detailing conservation issues for the key species and habitats of the North West region. The document helped identify priorities for the Local Biodiversity Action Plans throughout the North West including Cumbria's Biodiversity Action Plan.
The partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations who contributed to the Biodiversity Audit of North West England have now formed the North West Biodiversity Forum, which sets objectives, targets and indicators for regional biodiversity.