Starting from an Internet search for wild flower information to help my involvement in our local attempt to set up a nature reserve on a 4 acre field I have visited a number of web sites. The Wildlife Trusts have information on the NERC Act 2006 relevant to Local Councils; I found a book called " A year in the life of an English Meadow" set in Somerset; the Natural History Museum is useful for their data banks for plants; from there using a link to Plant Life UK I found info on their projects to rescue wild plants in danger of becoming extinct in the wild.
Plant Life UK makes interesting reading and here is a brief extract:
"Why conserve wild plants?Conserving wild plants in their natural habitats is about more than plants, wildlife and ecosystems – it is about people and our need for food, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live. Two thirds of the ‘services’ provided by nature to mankind are now in decline worldwide, and the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted."
They have a nature reserve in Somerset.
Their web site is here:
The UK Gov is also saying a lot about the environment in planning documents and proposals to revise planning law. Their White Paper on the subject can be found here:
Their ideas will have a great deal of relevance for wildlife in Somerset.
A BBC report shows that governments are becoming aware of the problems arising from the use of bio fuels. The report titled "EU rethinks bio fuels guidelines" can be found here:
The changes developing in agriculture world wide because bio fuel for cars has been seen as a help in dealing with green house gasses are now being reassessed.
There is a lot to see in these reports but a brief review is sufficient to get an overview of many developments in the way our wildlife is being both put under pressure and being recognised as important for our future.
