|
Who's doing what?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Association
of Local Government Ecologists
The Association of Local Government Ecologists represents professional
ecologists working in local government in the UK. In partnership
with others, ALGE supports and develops the nature conservation
work of local authorities.
The Association aims to:
• promote and develop good principles and practice of nature
conservation in local government
• provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas
on nature conservation
• provide regular advice on nature conservation to the local
authority associations
• provide advice to, and liaise with, other bodies working
on related matters
Website: www.alge.org.uk
|
|
|
|
Bristol Environmental
Records Centre
Established in 1974, BRERC is a ‘not for profit’ organisation
and is administered through Bristol City Council on behalf of Bristol
City, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North
East Somerset Councils, English Nature, Environment Agency and Avon
Wildlife Trust. There is a Steering Committee that agrees and oversees
the day to day running, policies and strategies of the Centre.
BRERC collects, stores and distributes environmental data concerning
the former Avon area. There are millions of records in paper format,
and over 825,000 available on a computerised database. All the data
at BRERC is carefully validated and verified so that we can be as
sure as is reasonably possible that the data we enter onto our systems
is accurate.
As well as data search enquiries for consultants, local authorities,
wildlife recorders and members of the public, BRERC provided data
is routinely used to screen planning applications by various local
authority departments and various organisations such as the Environment
Agency, Avon Wildlife Trust and English Nature. Between 15000 and
25000 planning applications are made each year in BRERC’s
region. The data is also used for contaminated land strategies,
pollution control, emergency planning, habitat and species management
and reporting to government on regional and national biodiversity
targets.
Website: www.brerc.org.uk
BTCV
in the SW is the regions largest organisation focused solely on
the support & delivery of conservation volunteering. Every year
we deliver over 15,000 workdays (a volunteer working on site for
a day) through our own projects. These projects include midweek
groups, weekend day projects and conservation working holidays and
are increasingly focused towards delivering biodiversity action
plans. We also run specialist programmes tailored towards involving
groups under represented in the sector, including the young, unemployed,
and people facing physical & mental health issues. Local groups
& communities are supported in conserving the biodiversity important
to them through our group’s association scheme (125 groups)
& people’s places/green futures award scheme (75 groups being
awarded a total of £571,000 by December 2003).
All this activity is underpinned by our training, which is nationally
accredited by Broxtowe College through the BTCV Institute for environmental
conservation. All our activities have the special "flavour" of enabling
the public to physically join in with biodiversity conservation
rather than simply view it as an activity undertaken by experts.
Website: www.btcv.org
|
|
|
|
Countryside Agency
Website: www.countryside.gov.uk
Defra
has primary policy responsibility for both the governments's responsibilities
under the Convention on Biodiversity and overall coordination of
the England Biodiversity Strategy. Biodiversity is one of the policies
of the Department's aim for sustainable development.
Defra also has policy responsibility for food and farming and
through environmentally sustainable and economically viable agriculture,
seeks to reduce the negative and enhance the positive effects of
agriculture on the environment. The conservation of biodiversity
is one of the core objectives of agri-environment scheme delivery.
Agri-environment schemes contribute very significant resources towards
the achievement of UK BAP Habitat and Species targets.
Agri-environment schemes are targeted to nationally important areas
(Seven in the SW: Cotswold Hills, South Wessex Downs, Somerset Levels
and Moors, Blackdown Hills, Exmoor, Dartmoor and West Penwith) and
Countryside Stewardship Schemes are available in the seven counties,
operating across the wider countryside. There are 8500 agri-environment
scheme agreements in the SW, covering over 15% of the agricultural
land in the region (1999).
Defra/RDS are fully committed to the actions and targets of the
UKBAP and the SW Regional Biodiversity Partnership. RDS Biodiversity
Coordinators for the Region and for each County have responsibility
to ensure agri-environment schemes are making an appropriate contribution
and that there is alignment between LBAP targets and regional and
national targets.
Biodiversity Coordinators:
Cornwall - Pat Lehain
Devon - Robin Webb
Dorset - James Phillips
Somerset - Liz McDonnell
Avon - John Martin
Gloucestershire - Phil Tolerton
Wiltshire - John Martin
Website: www.defra.gov.uk
|
|
|
| English Nature
is the Government funded body whose purpose is to promote the conservation
of England’s wildlife and natural features and their benefits
to people and society. English Nature supports positive management
on Sites of Special Scientific Interest through Management Agreements
and Wildlife Enhancement Scheme payments. In the South West we have
266 such schemes in place covering over 19 000 ha of land with annual
payments amounting to £1,404,334.
Priorities for English Nature at a Regional Level:
- Work with the regional partners to develop robust frameworks
for decision-making and actions that will achieve a sustainable
development framework with equal emphasis on the economy, environment
and social agenda.
- Demonstrate the importance of the natural environment to the
achievement of economic and social well being and promote actions
that join up these links.
- Secure effective protection of biodiversity in the regions.
- Provide data on biodiversity and the natural environment to
inform regional action.
- Work with regional partners to identify large projects where
we can cooperate to achieve sustainable actions.
Work delivery in the South West
There are 5 English Nature Area Teams servicing the South West (c,
130 staff) with regional management located in the Exeter office.
The Area Teams are based in Truro (Cornwall), Exeter (Devon), Taunton
& sub office Ledbury (Somerset and Gloucestershire), Devizes
(Wiltshire) and Wareham (Dorset). These are multi-disciplinary teams
providing a range of integrated regional and local services covering
rural, marine coastal, geology and urban habitats. They include:
- regulation (CROW, Habitats Directive);
- statutory advice for habitats, geology and species;
- SSSI support service (designation, management advice and management
agreements, monitoring);
- new service development for SSSI (including developing and trialling
new schemes such as the Traditional Breeds Incentive, Wiltshire
Interactive Grazing Initiative),
- strategic planning for nature conservation including implementation
of the England Biodiversity Strategy, strategic planning advice/influence
(RPG, RES, Local development plans etc),
- sectoral policy advice/influence,
- partnership funding and grants,
- access to nature (including disabled access) on the NNRs,
- volunteering,
- providing information (Internet, publications, interpretation
workshops, events), commissioning science and survey to support
service delivery,
- special landscape scale projects (such as Tomorrow's Heathland
Heritage, Wiltshire Interactive Grazing Project, Biodiversity
tourism, Goss Moor Rural Issues and Opportunities (LIFE), funding
leverage (Obj 1&2, HLF, Life etc).
Website: http://www.english-nature.org.uk/
|
|
|
| The
Environment Agency is the leading public body protecting
and improving the environment in England and Wales.
It is the Agency’s job to make sure that air, land and water
are looked after by everyone in today’s society, so that tomorrow’s
generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world. Our work includes
tackling flooding and pollution incidents, reducing industry’s
impacts on the environment, cleaning up rivers, coastal waters and
contaminated land, and improving wildlife habitats.
The Agency has special responsibility under the UK BAP for several
aquatic habitats and species. Here in the South West Region we focus
on water voles, native crayfish, three species of freshwater mussels,
river shingle beetles and two rare species of fish, the Allis and
Twaite shads. We also carry out work to protect and restore three
key habitats, chalk rivers, floodplain grazing marsh and saltmarshes.
The Agency works with a number of partners to secure the future
survival of these species in the South West, whether that is through
research, or by carrying out practical conservation measures on
the ground. The biodiversity partnership provides an important focus
for this work.
Website: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
|
|
|
Farming and
Wildlife Advisory Group
FWAG exists to provide farmers, landowners and their other clients
with the best opportunity for environmental gain through cost effective,
quality solutions.
FWAG has 66 local groups throughout England, Scotland and Wales,
with over 110 Farm Conservation Advisors out of a total staff of
169.
FWAG provides farmers and landowners with practical advice on making
adjustments to farm operations and enhancing farm features in order
to support wildlife, landscape, archaeology, access and other conservation
issues.
FWAG Advice is based on:
• a whole farm approach since all parts of the farm are important
for conservation
• tailor-made conservation plans designed to suit the farm
type, location and the farmer’s aspirations, commitment and
pocket
• a partnership with the farmer, conservation bodies, farming
organisations and government agencies
• zero/low cost management options where possible (conservation
need not be costly)
• identification of appropriate grant sources
• the understanding that conservation need not compromise
the farms commercial objectives
Website: www.fwag.org.uk
|
|
|
| Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is the Government Department responsible
for woodlands and forestry. Our mission statement is to protect
and expand England’s woodlands and forests and increase their
value to society and the environment through sustainable management.
Website: www.forestry.gov.uk
|
|
|
| Forest
Enterprise
Forest Enterprise was the agency set up in 1996 to manage the nation’s
forest estate. It ceased to exist as a single agency on March 31
2003 and three new agencies were created – one for England,
Scotland and Wales.
These three agencies will work as part of the Forestry Commission
in each of the countries to manage more that 1,000,000 hectares
of public land, of which around 800,000 hectares are forest and
woodland.
The main conservation project that is being developed in Peninsula
forest district is the Neroche Land heritage project. The Forestry
Commission is leading on the development of a large Heritage Lottery
Fund bid to restore the unique heritage landscape of the northern
Blackdown Hills (Note: the Neroche Project area follows the wooded
scarp slope of the Blackdown Hills from Culmstock Beacon to the
A358 Taunton to Ilminster road). Further details about this project
are available on the Blackdown Hills web site www.blackdown-hills.net
Website: www.forestry.gov.uk
|
|
|
| Government
Office South West
Government Office for the South West (GOSW) works with regional
partners and local people to help deliver the Government’s
central aims in the region – to achieve high and stable levels
of growth and employment, and build an inclusive and prosperous
society that can develop in a sustainable way.
GOSW also tackles issues that cut across the boundaries of more
than one Whitehall department and as part of central Government;
we also inform the development of departments’ policies from
a regional perspective.
GOSW is committed to sustainable development as a guiding principle
for all our work, whether delivered directly or through our regional
partners. Concern for the environment is an integral and fundamental
part of this commitment.
Website: www.gosw.gov.uk
|
|
|
Ministry
of Defence
The MOD (Defence Estates) is a corresponding member of the SW Regional
Biodiversity Partnership. A representative from the MOD attends
meetings when the agenda alters to specifc areas where they can
make a useful contribution.
Website: www.defence-estates.mod.uk
|
|
|
| National
Parks
Websites: www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
|
|
|
| National
Trust
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
|
|
|
|
The RSPB
has also been an active partner in the South West Biodiversity Partnership
since the early 1990s, engaging with other organisations to produce
the audit of important habitats and species in the South West in
1996, and the Regional Biodiversity Action Plan in 1997. The targets
and actions identified in the UK and Regional BAP have provided
us with an important tool to prioritise our work and resources across
the region, developing project work, reserve management and advisory
work to secure and expand existing species populations through the
protection and restoration of key habitats.
The Partnership also acts as a valuable forum to discuss issues
with other bodies at a regional level, and is a mechanism to co-ordinate,
influence and offer advice to policy makers, ensuring that biodiversity
is promoted and delivered through all regional initiatives/programmes
to achieve sustainable development in the South West.
Website: www.rspb.org
|
|
|
|
Somerset Environmental Records Centre
The Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) is the centre
of reference for all information relating to wildlife and biodiversity
in Somerset. It maintains an up-to-date record of sites, habitats
and species found in the county and makes the data available for
decision making, conservation, research, monitoring and education.
SERC is a partnership organisation working closely with the Somerset
Wildlife Trust, Somerset County Council, Somerset's District Councils,
English Nature, Environment Agency and the Exmoor National Park
Authority.
SERC's database holds over a million records of species, details
of over 5000 sites and over 10,000 records of habitats. Anyone can
access SERC's data subject to essential constraints on some sensitive
information.
SERC works with Local BAP lead organisations in Somerset, especially
on monitoring, and, alongside BRERC, represents the seven Local
Records Centres in SW England on the regional biodiversity partnership.
Website: www.somerc.com
|
|
|
Wessex
Water
Website: www.wessexwater.co.uk
|
|
|
| Wildlife
Trusts
The South West Wildlife Trusts is a jointly owned charitable company
operated by the eight Wildlife Trusts in the South West region:
Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly,
Somerset, Wiltshire.
It was formed to take forward regional projects and initiatives
and to influence regional policy development.
Collectively the South West Wildlife Trusts have 110,000 members,
300 staff, 3,700 volunteers, and 10 education centres. We manage
350 nature reserves covering almost 30,000 acres, and invest around
£10m a year in the region’s wildlife.
Our vision is to create a sustainable future for
wildlife and people throughout the South West.
Our mission is to ensure that wildlife throughout
the South West is plentiful, varied and has a secure future; that
people in the region have opportunities to enjoy, understand and
experience wildlife at first hand; and that everyone understands
that wildlife is essential for continued human existence.
Our Goals are:
• To develop and expand wildlife havens so that there are
large interconnected wildlife areas set within a South West that
is rich in wildlife
• To act as wildlife champions
• To encourage sustainable living
Rebuilding Biodiversity in the South West
A key focus of our work is to promote a policy of landscape scale
conservation across the region.
It is increasingly accepted that many protected habitats are not
truly viable in ecological terms as they are often too small, too
isolated and the land surrounding them is too hostile. The South
West Wildlife Trusts recognise that many priority habitats in the
region (including our own reserves) may fall into this category.
Rebuilding Biodiversity sets out to identify core area of habitat
capable of supporting self-sustaining wildlife populations –
ecologically functional areas that are large enough, linked enough
and representative enough to ensure that our biodiversity is robust
and can survive future challenge and change.
‘Rebuilding Biodiversity’ is in step with the generic
priorities identified in the South West Biodiversity Implementation
Plan. We hope this work will be supported, taken up and developed
by all the organisations that contribute their competence and goodwill
to the South West Biodiversity Partnership.
|
|
|
| The
Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland
conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has four key aims:-
- no further loss of ancient woodland
- restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods
- increasing new native woodland
- increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites
in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).
It has some 180 woods located in the South West region. Public access
to its sites is free.
Website: www.woodland-trust.org.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
