Government consultation on the natural environment. No 3

Having checked the references given in my last post I have extracted all the questions asked by Defra and listed in the Summary Doc which can be seen in full  here.

To make sure I read each question myself and respond I intend to post each one and make a comment as a preliminary reply to send in to Defra.

Question 1: What do we need to do to embed the true value of our natural resources in decision making at all levels?

 This is a hard one. What does it mean? Who is going to take the action implicit in the question?  The summary doc gives some guidance and says:

" whilst we have made important progress, we have also continued to see piecemeal degradation –
leading to an ongoing decline in the quality and sustainability of many of our natural assets. These pressures are different from those which we have successfully addressed and require new approaches and solutions.
The White Paper will need to address a range of overarching challenges for future policy on the natural  environment including:
• Climate change – both the challenge to the natural environment represented by climate change and the role of the natural environment in managing the impacts of climate change on people and business as  well as being the source of the renewable energy that will help us mitigate climate change.
• Demographic changes – not just global population growth but also key changes in patterns of
consumption at home and across the globe.
• Incremental impacts – all the apparently minor choices we make that lead to piecemeal degradation of  our natural environment and which together can lead to permanent damage to the natural systems we  all rely on."

My off the cuff answer:    The White Paper shall require every decision taken by all levels of Government to start by making a statement showing its assessment of the effect the decision will have on all aspects of the environment. This would need to cover all levels from Parish Councils all the way to the top of the tree.


Your comments welcome!?

Government consultation on the natural environment. No 2

I have been neglecting my Blog and as a short term answer I am copying a posting from the Somerset Wildlife Trust web site just to get things moving again! 
From the SWT Web site, link  here
The White Paper on the Natural Environment provides a real opportunity to lay the foundations of nature conservation for the 21st Century. In the build up to the General Election, The Wildlife Trusts called on the next Government to introduce a White Paper for Nature to identify the policy changes needed to restore our natural environment and ecosystems. Now it is time for you to play your part in nature’s recovery.

Act Now…. Your Support Could Make All The Difference

1. Complete the Government’s online survey ­- make sure you, your family and friends complete the Government’s online survey and comment on ‘An invitation to shape the nature of England’ by 30 October 2010.
2. Contact your MP ­- ask your MP to champion an ambitious White Paper to restore nature. Keep us in the loop.
3. Support us ­- join Somerset Wildlife Trust or make a donation to help us restore the natural environment.

A Recovery Plan for Nature in Somerset

Somerset Wildlife Trust has a vision for A Living Landscape. This is a recovery plan for nature to help create a resilient and healthy environment rich in wildlife and provide ecological security for people. Find out about our local Living Landscape projects.

Government Plea to Somerset Wildlife Trust Members

Caroline Spelman, Defra Secretary of State for the Environment, has recorded a video message for Wildlife Trust members inviting them to contribute to the White Paper discussion. Click here to view it.

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)

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:

1. Which parts of the natural environment matter most to you?
2. How do you feel you benefit from the natural environment?
3. How do you think we could improve the natural environment?
4. What would encourage you to get involved in protecting the natural environment?

The deadline for responses is 30 October 2010.

Jersey Tiger Moth

Jersey Tiger on Agapanthus in our garden

Just happened to notice this moth flying in the garden around 2pm in the sun on 10.08.10. In flight it looked a very orange butterfly. It obligingly stopped to rest on this lovely garden flower

Blog Problem

There appears to be a problem with the layout of my Blog. If anyone can think why it has suddenly changed its layout please let me know!

2nd Aug and I'm still trying to work out what happened and I still cant get the layout back to where it was a week ago. It may be because of the new templates and preview arrangements that something has changed and its all a bit puzzling. It doesn't seem to have happened to my other Blog.

Heart of the Levels Wildlife Watch Club - Picasa Web Albums

Our new Watch Club for children and their parents is running well now. We are continuing to promote it through local schools and expect the numbers attending to pick up after the summer holidays.

Here are a few photographs of our last session .



Heart of the Levels Wildlife Watch Club - Picasa Web Albums

Carl Sagan

Now here's a challenge for you.

Carl Sagan was a very distinguished and respected scientist. You can read up about his life and work on Wiki, which I have just done. What I found surprising was that he had spent a lot of time in using the media in all its forms to communicate about science. This included musical adventures, perhaps experiments might be nearer the mark!

This is in tune with our recent Arts and Wildlife Workshop which aimed to encourage a creative approach to wildlife. 

The challenge is to visit a Blog and view a You Tube clip in a recent post and to comment.  (Here is a  link )

Then if you want to find out more about the production of the video and about Carl Sagan you can go to this web site:

Symphony of Science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2020 Vision : For a wilder Britain

Is anyone involved in this project. Click on the link for more info



2020 Vision : For a wilder Britain

Latest Sightings

The photograph shows John with the rare moth during the field visit. See note below.


Click on this link to go to the Moth Group web site     Latest Sightings

This is a link to the Somerset Moth Group web site where they show a quite rare moth which was found and photographed by John Bebbington on a visit to Fivehead Arable Fields nature reserve. Its called a Celypha rosaceana. The same species ( perhaps even the same moth!!) was found in the field again yesterday during out Group vist to look at the arable "weeds".

Wildlife in Somerset

You will see from this brief report which I have just submitted for publication in the Trusts magazine that we have been quite busy. My Blog has been neglected as a consequence. Life of course continues to make its demands regardless of wildlife or blogging!
I hope to include a photo or two from some of these events eventually.

Heart of the Levels summer highlights.

 “International Year of Biodiversity  2010”

Now in our 5^th year our Group has staged some rewarding wildlife events. We enjoyed a great spring flower walk with a new leader in Beer Wood. Anne Bebbington opened our eyes to its wonderful woodland flora.

Our new Wildlife Watch Club opened in Hambridge.  Children will gain an enthusiastic introduction to wildlife through practical and fun activities.

On June 27 our third and most rewarding Arts and Wildlife Workshop so far engrossed 16 members for a day in Isle Abbotts. A walk along the River Isle for observation and ideas generated creative nature writing, stunning photographic images, painting and sketching.

Our Botany Study Group committed itself to continue for another year to develop our understanding of the structure and characteristics of wild flowers.

Anne and John Bebbington gave us a treat on 11th July by leading our visit to the Fivehead Arable Fields to find 22 special flowering plants many of which are becoming rare or even facing extinction.  It was very satisfying to know that we and the Ilminster Group had joined with many others to support the  management of this  important SSSI reserve.