As you may recall I have been involved in helping to produce a Parish Plan for the Somerset Parish I live in.
A section of the plan is all about the countryside and wildlife in the 6 sq miles around Curry Rivel.
It includes part of the nationally important RSPB reserve called West Sedgemoor and other local nature reserves. For 2016 I hope we can capture some local enthusiasm for protecting / saving / rescuing biodiversity in our Parish.
Somerset Wildlife Trust has a big programme called Living Landscape but that is limited to several specific areas of the county. It would be great if we could add every parish to that programme by local volunteering action. Is that a practical reality or just a dream?
Please watch the video from Natural England
Showing posts with label Living Landscapes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Living Landscapes. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Conservative party conspiracy to sabotage climate change progress - Greenpeace UK
Conservative party conspiracy to sabotage climate change progress - Greenpeace UK
If your interested in wildlife and nature and the future of Somerset's wonderful countryside and not forgetting bio diversity then you must watch this!
If your interested in wildlife and nature and the future of Somerset's wonderful countryside and not forgetting bio diversity then you must watch this!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Nick Baker on Westhay nature reserve.
If you don't follow the Somerset Wildlife Trust on Facebook you are missing a treat. Here is a very recent posting with a video clip describing a nature reserve not far from where I live and which I only occasionally visit. Time and other interests make it difficult to keep in touch with the natural world around us but it's a shame if we don't try. Thanks to Jane for bringing it to our attention!
Viewing this video with Nick Baker taking us on a walk on the reserve is very well put together and gives us an insight into our own local natural world.
Here are links to the Trusts Facebook page and to the video clip
http://www.facebook.com/somersetwildlifetrust?
Friday, November 02, 2012
Eco- therapy! Richard Mabey explains.
There is an interesting comparison between this post and my last. In this post the message is the value of getting involved with nature. In my last post it was all about human beings being totally disconnected from nature in the pursuit of wealth, power and denigration of fellow human beings who dared to say no.
I am rapidly becoming a Richard Mabey fan. Although I've read some of his many books and articles and admired his literary skills nothing has connected with me as much as listening to a BBC video of a programme on BBC World Service.A friend sent me this photo taken in their garden. Its a common spider which can change its colour to suit its location.
If you are interested in nature or the conservation of wildlife in any way at all then I hope that listening to this programme you will find as I have done a new value, purpose and benefit in the pursuit of your interest.
Here is a link to the BBC programme recording :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00z9srx/Health_Check_Ecotherapy/
or use this URL
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00z9srx/Health_Check_Ecotherapy
I have in the last year or two attended a workshop arranged by Somerset Wildlife Trust with MIND on the subject of mental health but I dont recall it as being as relevant as this programme on Eco Therapy.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Planning law changes and wildlife.
I recently used the CPRE web site to send another letter to my MP on the question of planning changes.
Here is a copy of my letter.
Here is a copy of my letter.
I strongly support the CPRE campaign to
minimise the damage to our productive and beautiful countryside,
under Government proposals more than half of it would not be
adequately protected from development.
Green Belts, National Parks and Areas
of Outstanding Natural Beauty make up about 40% of the English
countryside. I welcome the commitment to retaining special
protections for these areas. But here in Somerset we are also
concerned about what the Wildlife Trust calls Living Landscapes. I
am concerned that the Government’s reforms to the planning system
through the National Planning Policy Framework will remove protection
for these important areas of the countryside. Currently, countryside
is protected for ‘its intrinsic character and beauty’ but its
also vital for its role in enabling the production of food,
maintaining the quality of the air we breath and the water we drink.
This policy of protecting the quality
of the open countryside has been in place for decades and has been
supported by successive governments during times of growth and
recession. It doesn’t prevent all development but it has helped
ensure that ordinary, though valuable, countryside is not
unnecessarily lost to speculative development.
For almost 20 years there has also been
a requirement that previously developed land – otherwise known as
brownfield land - should be developed before green fields. The
Government is also proposing to abandon this policy. Yet, a new
report commissioned by the Campaign to Protect Rural England,
Building on a Small Island, demonstrates that the supply of
previously developed land is actually increasing, including in high
demand areas, and that England has previously developed land suitable
for providing 1.5 million new homes. I know that some previously
developed sites can be important for wildlife but surely these can be
protected without scrapping the brownfield-first policy altogether?
Protecting the countryside and building
on previously developed land go hand in hand. Time is running out to
persuade the Government to think again. I gather that Ministers are
currently considering the final changes to be made to their new
planning policies.
Please raise my concerns with the
Planning Minister, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, and urge him to ensure that
the National Planning Policy Framework makes it absolutely clear that
the countryside as a whole needs continued protection, and that
building on previously developed sites first should remain an
important planning priority.
Yours sincerely
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Anger over plans to weaken EU wildlife protection | The Wildlife Trusts
Anger over plans to weaken EU wildlife protection | The Wildlife Trusts
The national organisation supporting the Wildlife Trusts around the counties has a web page( see above link) to communicate its views on important national issues. Somerset Wildlife Trust is very involved and we want to keep our MP's informed of our views. Please visit this web site to keep up to date on development
The national organisation supporting the Wildlife Trusts around the counties has a web page( see above link) to communicate its views on important national issues. Somerset Wildlife Trust is very involved and we want to keep our MP's informed of our views. Please visit this web site to keep up to date on development
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Campaign for the Protection of Rural England
There is unprecedented activity by all the major environmental groups, all saying much the same thing, all demanding the Government to think again about its planned changes to planning law.
So accepting a risk of boring my readers I am posting on this reference to the CPRE campaign. You might agree that it is of considerable interest to compare the approach adopted by the environmental groups. Its the sort of topic I could easily have come across in my Open University studies!
So here is the CPRE approach:
Click here to visit their web site.
or use this url.
http://www.cpre.org.uk/magazine/opinion/item/2561-icons-of-england-come-to-the-defence-of-the-countryside
Led by CPRE President Bill Bryson, 16 major public figures have issued the following joint statement urging the Government to rethink changes to the planning system which threaten the countryside:
"We urge ministers to listen to the deep concerns being expressed by people across the country".
"The NPPF marks a significant relaxation of protection for the majority of our countryside — so-called “ordinary countryside”. It also moves away from a “brownfield first” approach to development that has been in place since 1995."
"In the final stages of the government's public consultation on the draft NPPF, we urge ministers to listen to the deep concerns being expressed by people across the country and make substantial changes that will protect and enhance our extraordinary countryside for generations to come." Bill Bryson President, Campaign to Protect Rural England
I like the reference to the " ordinary countryside" which happens to fit nicely with views expressed so vividly by Richard Maybe in his books "Nature Cure" and "The Unofficial Countryside" .
So accepting a risk of boring my readers I am posting on this reference to the CPRE campaign. You might agree that it is of considerable interest to compare the approach adopted by the environmental groups. Its the sort of topic I could easily have come across in my Open University studies!
So here is the CPRE approach:
Click here to visit their web site.
or use this url.
http://www.cpre.org.uk/magazine/opinion/item/2561-icons-of-england-come-to-the-defence-of-the-countryside
Bill Bryson and friends stand up for the countryside
Led by CPRE President Bill Bryson, 16 major public figures have issued the following joint statement urging the Government to rethink changes to the planning system which threaten the countryside:
"We urge ministers to listen to the deep concerns being expressed by people across the country".
"The NPPF marks a significant relaxation of protection for the majority of our countryside — so-called “ordinary countryside”. It also moves away from a “brownfield first” approach to development that has been in place since 1995."
"In the final stages of the government's public consultation on the draft NPPF, we urge ministers to listen to the deep concerns being expressed by people across the country and make substantial changes that will protect and enhance our extraordinary countryside for generations to come." Bill Bryson President, Campaign to Protect Rural England
I like the reference to the " ordinary countryside" which happens to fit nicely with views expressed so vividly by Richard Maybe in his books "Nature Cure" and "The Unofficial Countryside" .
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Confused about Government Policy ?
I thought I would try to be non party political in my Blog but today it seems difficult to steer a neutral path through Govt statements.
In my last post I started to look at the new draft planning proposals and I more than ever hope they are draft and a long way from being final! Issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government. ( a Dept I am sure I've never heard off before and their web site doesn't look like a normal Govt site at all. Is there something fishy about this?)
Here is a link to the planning doc, click here
********************************************************************
Today by chance I came across a news statement by another department of the Govt. This time the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. Visit by clicking here..
The former (DCLG) says:
Clause 13. Under the sub heading:- "The presumption in favour of sustainable development".
"The Government is committed to ensuring that the planning system does everything it can to support sustainable economic growth. A positive planning system is essential because , without growth, a sustainable future can not be achieved."
Clause 14. "At the heart of the planning system is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through plan making and decision taking."
*********************************************************************
The latter statement ( DEFRA) issued on 19th Aug 2011says: "New strategy to save and protect England's Wildlife"
.
Launching Biodiversity 2020, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
"Our wildlife is not only something that we should value because its nice to look at. Nature underpins our very existence, giving us clean air to breath, clean water to drink and healthy food to eat.
This strategy sets out how we will stop the loss of species and habitats, so that this generation can be the first to leave our natural environment in a better state than they found it."
********************************************************************
I much prefer to follow the lead given by DEFRA than that by DCLG!
PS. I'll try to add some wildlife photos in my next Blog!
In my last post I started to look at the new draft planning proposals and I more than ever hope they are draft and a long way from being final! Issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government. ( a Dept I am sure I've never heard off before and their web site doesn't look like a normal Govt site at all. Is there something fishy about this?)
Here is a link to the planning doc, click here
********************************************************************
Today by chance I came across a news statement by another department of the Govt. This time the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. Visit by clicking here..
********************************************************************
Clause 13. Under the sub heading:- "The presumption in favour of sustainable development".
"The Government is committed to ensuring that the planning system does everything it can to support sustainable economic growth. A positive planning system is essential because , without growth, a sustainable future can not be achieved."
Clause 14. "At the heart of the planning system is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through plan making and decision taking."
*********************************************************************
The latter statement ( DEFRA) issued on 19th Aug 2011says: "New strategy to save and protect England's Wildlife"
.
Launching Biodiversity 2020, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
"Our wildlife is not only something that we should value because its nice to look at. Nature underpins our very existence, giving us clean air to breath, clean water to drink and healthy food to eat.
This strategy sets out how we will stop the loss of species and habitats, so that this generation can be the first to leave our natural environment in a better state than they found it."
********************************************************************
I much prefer to follow the lead given by DEFRA than that by DCLG!
PS. I'll try to add some wildlife photos in my next Blog!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
News update from Somerset Wildlife Trust
A regular feature of running our local Wildlife Group is to take part in meetings with SWT officers to review and comment on issues, plans and choices for future action.
Today's meeting looked at Business plans for 2012 and beyond and big hopes for a living landscape project to cover our Somerset urban area of Taunton.This is a new challenge for us and the local area group.The emphasis this time is to get the community fully involved at the start rather than work up a scheme and hope to implement it. Funding for such a project will be a major aspect of any plans and it will all take some time, probably years, to fully implement.
The Trust also has been working up schemes to get more involved with a living sea project on our northern coastline. Hinkly Point nuclear power station replacement must feature in any plans.
Amongst other matters was the Plantlife International project to "save our meadows" which is important for Somerset
As if that wasn't enough we also reviewed the Trusts understanding of the Big Society.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Old Mans Beard. Clematis vitalba
A local walk took us past a patch of Old Mans Beard rambling over a hedge. The afternoon winter sunshine created a memorable display in January.
As part of efforts to prepare a local guide to nearby Wildlife Trust nature reserves we drove to near Stoke St Mary to find the Thurlbeer Wood reserve. Approaching along narrow country lanes we found extensive displays of Old Mans Beard in the hedge rows.
These two photos were taken at the entrance to the Trusts Thurlbeer Wood reserve.
At the northern entrance to the wood is the display board.
It seems to have been an exceptional year for this clematis with views like these in many locations at least in South Somerset.
As you walk into the wood you find clearings such as the one in the photo below where the Hazel and other small trees have been cleared to make an open space
This reserve is an important and well managed entry in our reserves leaflet.
As part of efforts to prepare a local guide to nearby Wildlife Trust nature reserves we drove to near Stoke St Mary to find the Thurlbeer Wood reserve. Approaching along narrow country lanes we found extensive displays of Old Mans Beard in the hedge rows.
At the northern entrance to the wood is the display board.
As you walk into the wood you find clearings such as the one in the photo below where the Hazel and other small trees have been cleared to make an open space
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sustainable development.
Chris Baines was the main speaker and gave a very stimulating presentation on " green infrastructure".
Following my rather haphazard policy of blogging anything at all connected with the natural environment, otherwise known as wildlife, I am showing details of a conference. Its being run by a consultancy which I came across when they were part of the Somerset Wildlife Trust AGM two or three years ago. On that basis I think they are playing a useful part in helping to resolve 21 st century dilemmas. If you have been to one of their conferences I would like to hear from you. Such events cost money and probably only attract people working in the conservation world. Not me for instance, but it is good to see such work going on. As they say : "dialogue matters".
From: dialogue matters ltd
Natural Connections - achieving more with less across rural & urban landscapes
Date: Thurs 17th March 2011
Location: SOAS, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG
Green Infrastructure <> Natural Linkages &
lt;> Landscape Scale Change
lt;> Landscape Scale Change
This conference is about natural or semi natural networks that are managed, enhanced, created and designed to have multiple functions and deliver multiple benefits for people and nature. This thinking is at the heart of planning “Green infrastructure” for sustainable development in urban and rural areas, core to the best landscape scale projects,causing a rethink in river management and how best to manage protected landscapes and other areas. Benefits can include improved public health and quality of life, adaptation to climate change, economic regeneration and growth, functional wildlife links, flood control, recreation, and a host of other benefits. This agenda also looks set to be an important element of the Natural Environment White Paper. But with fewer resources to achieve all this, it has never been more relevant for public bodies, NGO’s, other interests and communities, to all work together to achieve more with less. Please join us on the 17th March 2011 to find out more about: § the latest news on the White Paper and other drivers § key concepts and evidence § approaches and methods that work § resources to help § inspiring success stories |
dialogue matters ltd
ecological and environmental stakeholder dialogue
designing <> facilitating <> training
ecological and environmental stakeholder dialogue
designing <> facilitating <> training
Email: admin@dialoguematters.co.uk
Tel: +44(0) 1233 813875
Friday, October 15, 2010
Natural Environment White Paper. My comments. No7
I've written up some comments for DEFRA based on the SWT paper (available on their web site linked here)
DEFRA discussion paper on the Natural Environment White Paper:
Comments based on suggestions from the Somerset Wildlife Trust and our local experiences.
1) Which parts of the natural environment matter most to you?
It is very important that the Government takes action to protect, restore, and proactively ensure the recovery of our natural environment, for people and wildlife.
The Government should recognise the uniqueness of Somerset’s rich natural environment, and appreciate that it matters to all of us. A healthy, wildlife-rich natural environment benefits us all, and is irreplaceable.
A large scale network of high quality habitats will allow wildlife to thrive in our county in town and village, along hedgerow and verge and through fields and gardens. We must include our coastal areas and our wonderful hills for all to enjoy. By making space for nature, we will enable our natural world to become more resilient to future climate change.
2) How do you feel you benefit from the natural environment?
Wildlife-rich landscapes and seas support our society and economy and recreational activities. A healthy, bio diverse environment provides us with a range of natural, life-supporting services, such as crop pollination, food production, flood prevention, clean air and water.
By restoring natural processes we all benefit – such as flood protection, carbon absorption, crop pollination and water filtration, so they can operate to their full potential for people and wildlife. All are fundamental to our health, well-being and a successful local economy.
3) How do you think we could improve the natural environment?
I support the Wildlife Trusts strategy based on a Living Landscape approach to nature, which should act as guiding principles in the development of the Natural Environment White Paper.
A comprehensive strategic framework for the natural environment is required to secure the health of our natural environment.
We should protect and enlarge ‘core’ wildlife-rich areas – value and conserve existing protected places such as Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) which lie at the heart of this new era for nature conservation. We should create more such areas which must not be allowed to be traded in or eroded.
We should put wildlife back on the map – map out priority areas for restoration on a landscape scale. Plan to create connections between core wildlife areas in the form of corridors and stepping stones, providing connectivity for wildlife across the landscape. Expand and buffer these areas and make the wider landscape more wildlife-friendly.
4) What would encourage you to get involved in protecting the natural environment?
People need access to nature on their doorstep: high quality natural spaces should be available in town and country to encourage access to, and action for, the natural environment.
Ensure there is wildlife everywhere and support educational initiatives to inspire every community to develop local solutions to the particular challenges for restoring nature in their area.
The Trusts are well placed to generate a new type of partnership to act together with central and local government, agencies, the private sector and voluntary bodies to inspire and enable cross-boundary co-operation in planning and delivering a new vision for nature.
David German.
Chair of the Heart of the Levels Area Group of the Somerset Wildlife Trust
15.10.10
Monday, August 23, 2010
Government consultation on the natural environment.
This might be one of the most important or at least most timely posts since this Blog started.
Our new coalition government has announced that it invites comment on a White Paper for the Natural Environment.
Click here to go to the Defra site where you can find your way to giving your comments on line.
You can see the Discussion paper issued on 26th July before you make your comments.
Here are some extracts from the Defra site ( 23.08.10)
Whether you live in a rural or an urban area, tell us your views by visiting our online survey and answering four short questions:
Our new coalition government has announced that it invites comment on a White Paper for the Natural Environment.
Click here to go to the Defra site where you can find your way to giving your comments on line.
You can see the Discussion paper issued on 26th July before you make your comments.
Here are some extracts from the Defra site ( 23.08.10)
Comment on our discussion paper
On 26 July 2010 we published our discussion paper “An invitation to shape the Nature of England”. We invite all comments and submissions from anyone with an interest in the Natural Environment White Paper.
What are your views on the natural environment?
If you live in England, tell us which parts of the natural environment matter most to you and how we can best protect and enhance them.Whether you live in a rural or an urban area, tell us your views by visiting our online survey and answering four short questions:
- Which parts of the natural environment matter most to you?
- How do you feel you benefit from the natural environment?
- How do you think we could improve the natural environment?
- What would encourage you to get involved in protecting the natural environment?
Friday, November 06, 2009
Butterfly Conservation, Large Blue
An enthusiastic visitor to Green Down to see the real thing! My photograph.
Photograph by "Somerset and Bristol Butterfly Conservation"
I shall be going along to the Annual General Meeting of the Somerset and Bristol Butterfly Conservation Group on Saturday.
Looking at their web site I found details of working parties for Jan and Feb at local reserves, generally clearing scrub. Here are some of the details.
Here is a link to the Groups web site to find out more about the Large Blue
Poldens Large Blue Action Group – Work parties January – February
Sunday 10th January, Walton Hill, volunteer work party to improve Large
Blue habitat, 10am – 3.30pm
Come and help clear scrub at Walton Hill to improve the site for the Large
Blue butterfly. There will be hot jacket potatoes and cakes. Please bring your
own drinks and any additional lunch and snacks required. Please wear strong
footwear and old clothes and bring work gloves if possible. Walton Hill is
south west of Street. Meet in the car park at 10am (Map reference:
ST46633505). Please contact Bernadette Noake (Butterfly Conservation:
01929 406004, 07960616320) or Shane Potts (07912 085603) for more
information and to let us know if you wish to attend.
Saturday 30th January, Collard Hill, volunteer work party to improve
Large Blue habitat, 10am – 3.30pm
Come and help improve the habitat at Collard Hill for the Large Blue butterfly.
There will be hot jacket potatoes and cakes. Please bring your own drinks and
any additional lunch and snacks required. Please wear strong footwear and
old clothes and bring work gloves if possible. Collard Hill is south of Street, on
the B3151. Meet in the car park opposite the Youth Hostel (Map reference:
ST48013451) at 10am. Please contact Bernadette Noake (Butterfly
Conservation: 01929 406004, 07960616320) or Rob Holden (National Trust:
07919392181) for more information and to let us know if you wish to attend.
Sunday 21st February – Lollover Hill, volunteer work party to improve
Large Blue habitat, 10am – 3.30pm
Come and help improve the habitat at Lollover Hill for the Large Blue butterfly.
There will be hot jacket potatoes and cakes. Please bring your own drinks and
any additional lunch and snacks required. Please wear strong footwear and
old clothes and bring work gloves if possible. Lollover Hill is near Dundon,
south of Street. There is limited parking on the road in Dundon. Follow the
public footpath and meet at Lollover Hill at 10am (Map reference: ST474325).
If you would like a map of the site please contact Bernadette Noake. For more
information and to let us know if you wish to attend please contact Bernadette
Noake (Butterfly Conservation: 01929 406004, 07960616320) or Shane Potts
(07912 085603).
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hedges and Verges --Somerset Wildlife Trust protest
I missed this news item shown on the SWT web site in September but as it's an important wildlife issue you might like to see it here. The full news report is on the SWT web site which you can see by clicking on the link below ( Somerset Wildlife Trust).
Somerset Wildlife Trust: "28 September 2009
Leave the roadsides and hedges alone!
This autumn, leave the roadsides and hedges alone! Today, Somerset Wildlife Trust is asking why Somerset Highways is damaging roadside wildlife?
Somerset Wildlife Trust members have reported that during September, Somerset Highways contractors have been over-flailing roadside verges, trees and hedgerows, damaging valuable wildlife habitat and leaving an unsightly mess.
Lisa Schneidau, SWT’s Leader of Living Landscapes, said: “This is the wrong time of year to cut hedges and roadside trees. It leaves no food for wildlife over the winter and damages wildlife habitat that is valuable for birds and small mammals"
Somerset Wildlife Trust: "28 September 2009
Leave the roadsides and hedges alone!
This autumn, leave the roadsides and hedges alone! Today, Somerset Wildlife Trust is asking why Somerset Highways is damaging roadside wildlife?
Somerset Wildlife Trust members have reported that during September, Somerset Highways contractors have been over-flailing roadside verges, trees and hedgerows, damaging valuable wildlife habitat and leaving an unsightly mess.
Lisa Schneidau, SWT’s Leader of Living Landscapes, said: “This is the wrong time of year to cut hedges and roadside trees. It leaves no food for wildlife over the winter and damages wildlife habitat that is valuable for birds and small mammals"
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Darwin
You may have seen some of the TV programmes on BBC on the subject of Charles Darwin.
If like me you are interested in learning more about the work of Darwin it may be a help to use this link to the OU / BBC series of programmes. You will be able to order the poster of The Tree of Life and register for emails to let you know about future events. It links in to the OU/ BBC even wider range of events and OU courses.
It includes programmes exploring the debate between the scientific and religious points of view on this subject.
Tomorrow , Sunday 8th, is this programme , see below, which looks at the work done on evolution in England and France at about the same time in history.
The Origins of The Origin
(Sunday Feature)
8 February, 9.30pm Radio 3
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Biodiversity
The Somerset Wildlife Trust has announced the publication of a new strategy document for Somerset.
The full document can be viewed and downloaded from the Wildlife Trusts web site, link here, or the County Councils web site. Link here.
Its quite a long 37 page document which seems very relevant to our local groups aims and objectives concerning wildlife particularly strategy Objective 8. Some highlights are shown below.
(From page 19)
Objective 8:
Enable community engagement with the natural environment and
biodiversity conservation
Current Challenges:
The relationship between the people of Somerset and our wildlife needs to be strengthened
if the natural environment and conservation are to become a part of everyday life for far more
people.
( From page 20)
Where we want to be in 2018:
For more people to have connected with wildlife, to have discovered the benefits that it can offer
and the ways in which they can help conserve it.
Key Actions:
8.1 Encourage all landowners to take biodiversity into account when managing their land.
8.2 Encourage landowners to take up access and educational visits option under the Higher Level
Stewardship scheme.
8.3 Declare suitable sites as Local Nature Reserves. Create and implement management plans
that focus on improving biodiversity value and sustainability, wildlife interpretation and
accessibility for all.
8.4 Explore the opportunities for disseminating local wildlife information. For example: Setting up
a dedicated Wildlife Information Service to provide expert responses to biodiversity enquiries;
organising road shows and practical activities in which people can participate and creating a
popular guide to exploring Somerset’s wildlife.
8.5 Facilitate and enable voluntary community biodiversity conservation projects and provide
support for local biodiversity champions. Develop the role of volunteers in the protection and
management of local sites.
8.6 Adopt Natural England’s Accessible Natural Green Space Standards - and ideally also the
Woodland Trust’s Access standards - as the minimum standard of accessible natural green
space to be achieved.
8.7 Include Local Biodiversity Action Plans within Sustainable Community Strategies.
This post is just a first reaction to the issue of this document which is supported by a long list of voluntary and local government organisations. It may provide an excellent basis from which to ask questions of our local councils to find out how they see themselves putting this thinking into practice.
The full document can be viewed and downloaded from the Wildlife Trusts web site, link here, or the County Councils web site. Link here.
Its quite a long 37 page document which seems very relevant to our local groups aims and objectives concerning wildlife particularly strategy Objective 8. Some highlights are shown below.
(From page 19)
Objective 8:
Enable community engagement with the natural environment and
biodiversity conservation
Current Challenges:
The relationship between the people of Somerset and our wildlife needs to be strengthened
if the natural environment and conservation are to become a part of everyday life for far more
people.
( From page 20)
Where we want to be in 2018:
For more people to have connected with wildlife, to have discovered the benefits that it can offer
and the ways in which they can help conserve it.
Key Actions:
8.1 Encourage all landowners to take biodiversity into account when managing their land.
8.2 Encourage landowners to take up access and educational visits option under the Higher Level
Stewardship scheme.
8.3 Declare suitable sites as Local Nature Reserves. Create and implement management plans
that focus on improving biodiversity value and sustainability, wildlife interpretation and
accessibility for all.
8.4 Explore the opportunities for disseminating local wildlife information. For example: Setting up
a dedicated Wildlife Information Service to provide expert responses to biodiversity enquiries;
organising road shows and practical activities in which people can participate and creating a
popular guide to exploring Somerset’s wildlife.
8.5 Facilitate and enable voluntary community biodiversity conservation projects and provide
support for local biodiversity champions. Develop the role of volunteers in the protection and
management of local sites.
8.6 Adopt Natural England’s Accessible Natural Green Space Standards - and ideally also the
Woodland Trust’s Access standards - as the minimum standard of accessible natural green
space to be achieved.
8.7 Include Local Biodiversity Action Plans within Sustainable Community Strategies.
This post is just a first reaction to the issue of this document which is supported by a long list of voluntary and local government organisations. It may provide an excellent basis from which to ask questions of our local councils to find out how they see themselves putting this thinking into practice.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Conservation, Biodiversity , Living Landscapes and the Ecosystem Approach.
Somerset Wildlife Trust and in deed all county wildlife trusts are pushing hard for funding to establish Living Landscape areas as the best and most effective way of protecting wildlife for the long term.
The SWT AGM heard a great deal about such efforts in Somerset and I have attended meetings on the subject to find out more about this significant development in conservation thinking. An important and quite technical aspect which underlies the way conservation is linked to biodiversity and ecosystems management is summarised in the notes included below.
This is my own summary of a presentation given by Diana Pound who runs a consultancy called:
The Ecosystem Approach
What is it all about?
Discussions with others about the Ecosystem Approach usually include whether or not it matters that so many different terms are being used – sometimes to mean the same thing and sometimes the same phrase is used to mean different things. The phrases being used include: Ecosystem Approach, ecosystems approach (lower case sometimes used deliberately to denote something different), ecosystem-based approach, ecosystem function approach, ecosystem services approach, and ecosystem thinking.
If this change in language means we are all starting to think more holistically then that can only be a good thing. If on the other hand, our casual use of these terms is confusing each other, watering down what they mean, resulting in us reinventing wheels, and missing out on realising that (particularly for the Ecosystem Approach) there are well-developed principles and guidance that could, when implemented, deliver good practice in management and genuine sustainability, then there is a problem.
The Ecosystem Approach The Ecosystem Approach has been adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as the main way of delivering genuine sustainability and the primary framework for action. It is defined as ’a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way’ (CBD).
To guide implementation the CBD has agreed 12 Ecosystem Approach principles and 5 points of Operational Guidance and provided implementation guides.
The 12 ecosystem approach principles are:
1. The objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of societal choice.
2. Management should be decentralised to the lowest appropriate level.
3. Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their activities on adjacent and other ecosystems.
4. Need to understand and manage the ecosystem in an economic context.
5. Conservation of ecosystem structure and function to provide ecosystem services should be a priority.
6. Ecosystem must be managed within the limits of their functioning.
7. The approach should be taken at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales.
8. Process and objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the long term.
9. Management must recognise that change is inevitable.
10. Seek the appropriate balance between integration, conservation and use of biodiversity.
11. Decision-making should consider all forms of relevant information (scientific, indigenous and local).
12. Involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific disciplines.
The 5 points of operational guidance are:
1. Focus on the relationship and processes within the ecosystem.
2. Enhance benefit sharing.
3. Use adaptive management practices.
4. Carry out management actions at the scale appropriate to the issue, with decentralisation to the lowest level appropriate.
5. Ensure intersectoral co-operation.
The 12 principles plus explanation can be seen at:
http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/principles.shtml;
The 5 points of operational guidance at:
http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/operational.shtml
Implementation Guides
Beginners: http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/sourcebook/beginner-guide.shtm;
Advanced: http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/sourcebook/advanced-guide.shtml .
The ecosystem services approach The ecosystem services approach has a focus on understanding and quantifying the services the natural environment provides for us, and then managing the environment so that the provision of these services is sustained over the long term.
The approach is defined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment as a way of “identifying, valuing and enhancing the goods and services that the ecosystem provides for us by conserving ecosystem structure and function in a way that ensures these services can be provided over the long term”.
Services include:
• Supporting services: The services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services including soil formation, photosynthesis, primary production, nutrient cycling and water cycling.
• Provisioning services: The products obtained from ecosystems, including food, fibre, fuel, genetic resources, biochemicals, natural medicines, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources and fresh water;
• Regulating services: The benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, including air quality regulation, climate regulation, water regulation, erosion regulation, water purification, disease regulation, pest regulation, pollination, natural hazard regulation;
• Cultural services: The non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation and aesthetic experiences – thereby taking account of landscape values;
In effect, this is a focus on Principle 5 of the 12 Ecosystem Approach principles.
Millennium Assessment
http://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.300.aspx.pdf
Ecosystem Services
http://www.ecosystemservices.org.uk/ecoserv.htm
The following terms are also used – working definitions are provided
ecosystem function:
Includes the following:
The flows of energy, nutrients, minerals, and water within a system.
The spatial and temporal processes which include connectivity and succession.
The sensitivity and resilience of the system.
The predator prey relationships, age structure of species, and whether or not all trophic levels are present and functional.
The effect of human interventions on ecosystem function arising from extracting and harvesting resources or disposing of waste.
The SWT AGM heard a great deal about such efforts in Somerset and I have attended meetings on the subject to find out more about this significant development in conservation thinking. An important and quite technical aspect which underlies the way conservation is linked to biodiversity and ecosystems management is summarised in the notes included below.
This is my own summary of a presentation given by Diana Pound who runs a consultancy called:
dialogue matters
The Ecosystem Approach
What is it all about?
Discussions with others about the Ecosystem Approach usually include whether or not it matters that so many different terms are being used – sometimes to mean the same thing and sometimes the same phrase is used to mean different things. The phrases being used include: Ecosystem Approach, ecosystems approach (lower case sometimes used deliberately to denote something different), ecosystem-based approach, ecosystem function approach, ecosystem services approach, and ecosystem thinking.
If this change in language means we are all starting to think more holistically then that can only be a good thing. If on the other hand, our casual use of these terms is confusing each other, watering down what they mean, resulting in us reinventing wheels, and missing out on realising that (particularly for the Ecosystem Approach) there are well-developed principles and guidance that could, when implemented, deliver good practice in management and genuine sustainability, then there is a problem.
The Ecosystem Approach The Ecosystem Approach has been adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as the main way of delivering genuine sustainability and the primary framework for action. It is defined as ’a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way’ (CBD).
To guide implementation the CBD has agreed 12 Ecosystem Approach principles and 5 points of Operational Guidance and provided implementation guides.
The 12 ecosystem approach principles are:
1. The objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of societal choice.
2. Management should be decentralised to the lowest appropriate level.
3. Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their activities on adjacent and other ecosystems.
4. Need to understand and manage the ecosystem in an economic context.
5. Conservation of ecosystem structure and function to provide ecosystem services should be a priority.
6. Ecosystem must be managed within the limits of their functioning.
7. The approach should be taken at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales.
8. Process and objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the long term.
9. Management must recognise that change is inevitable.
10. Seek the appropriate balance between integration, conservation and use of biodiversity.
11. Decision-making should consider all forms of relevant information (scientific, indigenous and local).
12. Involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific disciplines.
The 5 points of operational guidance are:
1. Focus on the relationship and processes within the ecosystem.
2. Enhance benefit sharing.
3. Use adaptive management practices.
4. Carry out management actions at the scale appropriate to the issue, with decentralisation to the lowest level appropriate.
5. Ensure intersectoral co-operation.
The 12 principles plus explanation can be seen at:
http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/principles.shtml;
The 5 points of operational guidance at:
http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/operational.shtml
Implementation Guides
Beginners: http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/sourcebook/beginner-guide.shtm;
Advanced: http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/sourcebook/advanced-guide.shtml .
The ecosystem services approach The ecosystem services approach has a focus on understanding and quantifying the services the natural environment provides for us, and then managing the environment so that the provision of these services is sustained over the long term.
The approach is defined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment as a way of “identifying, valuing and enhancing the goods and services that the ecosystem provides for us by conserving ecosystem structure and function in a way that ensures these services can be provided over the long term”.
Services include:
• Supporting services: The services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services including soil formation, photosynthesis, primary production, nutrient cycling and water cycling.
• Provisioning services: The products obtained from ecosystems, including food, fibre, fuel, genetic resources, biochemicals, natural medicines, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources and fresh water;
• Regulating services: The benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, including air quality regulation, climate regulation, water regulation, erosion regulation, water purification, disease regulation, pest regulation, pollination, natural hazard regulation;
• Cultural services: The non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation and aesthetic experiences – thereby taking account of landscape values;
In effect, this is a focus on Principle 5 of the 12 Ecosystem Approach principles.
Millennium Assessment
http://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.300.aspx.pdf
Ecosystem Services
http://www.ecosystemservices.org.uk/ecoserv.htm
The following terms are also used – working definitions are provided
ecosystem function:
Includes the following:
The flows of energy, nutrients, minerals, and water within a system.
The spatial and temporal processes which include connectivity and succession.
The sensitivity and resilience of the system.
The predator prey relationships, age structure of species, and whether or not all trophic levels are present and functional.
The effect of human interventions on ecosystem function arising from extracting and harvesting resources or disposing of waste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)