AN action plan has been drawn up to conserve threatened wildlife and their habitats in Ryedale.
It focuses on protecting the district's landscapes and enviornmental quality, in particular sites of special scientific interest or important for nature conservation.
The draft plan, which has gone out for public consultation, has been approved by the authority's policy committee.
Susan Bragg, the council's countryside officer, said: "It is vital that we conserve habitats and species in Ryedale."
Some 13 habitat action plans have been drawn up, together with 19 species plans.
Among the wildlife to be protected is the increasingly rare diving beetle, the water violet, the greater water parsnip, baneberry, the brown hare and mayfly.
The plan also aims to protect such threatened wildlife as the otter and barn owl, and the ancient ash woodland.
Ms Bragg added: "If the action plan is not adopted, there is a greater risk that biodiversity within Ryedale will be lost and that opportunity for community involvement with nature conservation will be limited and financial opportunities to carry out the proposed plan, highly restricted"
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