The council has joined several other local authorities across the UK in recognising the urgent need to address declining biodiversity, it said.
The declaration is part of a broader plan to support and enhance ecosystems in collaboration with residents and stakeholders.
Waltham Forest is home to natural environments such as Walthamstow Wetlands and the Lea Valley.
Councillor Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for air quality and climate, said: “Our climate action plan has a clear focus on creating a greener, more resilient borough.”
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He highlighted the council’s past initiatives, including the creation of 45 pocket parks and parklets.
But he emphasised the need for further action to protect local wildlife and their habitats, saying “we must do much, much more”.
“We want to inspire residents to think about things they can do in their neighbourhoods and gardens to support local nature, where even a small intervention like mowing the lawn less often, establishing a bee friendly street on your doorstep, or joining a local litter picking group will go a long way to help.”
A significant part of the council’s strategy is the creation of a local nature recovery plan, which will put nature recovery as a strategic priority in new developments.
The council has urged residents to keep an eye out for species such as hoverflies, native amphibians like frogs, toads or newts, hedgehogs, and stag beetles, and to report any sightings.
