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Rother District Council made the declaration at a full council meeting on December 15.
It marks a formal commitment to boosting biodiversity and reversing the long-term decline in nature across the district.
The declaration follows a notice of motion proposed by Cllr Sue Prochak MBE and seconded by Cllr Kathryn Field.
The River Rother runs through the district (Image: Mark Duncan)
Cllr Prochak said: "I am delighted that the council adopted the Notice of Motion.
"We are now committed to embedding nature's recovery into all our strategic plans and decision-making processes in all our departments.
"We've pledged investment in nature-based climate solutions, setting clear recovery goals by 2030 across areas such as wildlife protection, planning, and community engagement."
The motion acknowledged the urgent need to address the declining state of nature.
The council has declared a 'nature emegency' (Image: Roy Gray)
It also noted the connection between the nature crisis and the climate emergency and the vital role of environmental protection in sustainable development.
Under the new resolution, the council will develop clear strategic targets for nature recovery by 2030 and integrate them into its existing climate work.
It will also collaborate with local communities, including underrepresented groups, to meet these targets, with progress monitored and reported through its Climate and Nature Emergency Steering Group.
The council previously declared a 'climate emergency' in 2019 (Image: RDC)
The council plans to build on previous environmental initiatives, including its carbon neutrality goal and recent tree-planting schemes.
Cllr Kathryn Field, portfolio holder for environment, said: "By declaring a nature emergency, Rother District Council has taken a decisive step towards reversing biodiversity loss and deepening its commitment to environmental resilience."
Rother District Council previously declared a climate emergency on September 16, 2019.
At the time, it pledged to use its powers "to make Rother District carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions."
A view of Pevensey Bay (Image: Oast House Archive)
The wider context reflects growing concerns about biodiversity loss across the UK.
According to the 2019 State of Nature Report, 41 per cent of UK species are in decline, and one in ten is threatened with extinction.
The report cited habitat loss as a main driver, with only five per cent of UK land managed for nature.
In addition to the nature emergency declaration, the council passed two further motions to support the rights of rivers and trees on September 15, 2025.
These are intended to enhance the protection of wildlife and natural habitats in the district.