Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership Partners’ News June 2008
Welcome to the June 2008 edition of the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership e-newsletter! SBP is an informal partnership of conservation organisations, statutory bodies, local authorities, businesses and not-for-profit organisations working throughout the county of Suffolk on behalf of wildlife. The UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan is delivered at a local level by members of the Partnership – for further information visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/Environment/Biodiversity. This new monthly newsletter is an effective way to highlight the biodiversity work of partners and to disseminate information about grants, workshops, events and biodiversity project opportunities.
PARTNERS NEWS Center Parcs awarded Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark for Landscape Management! Center Parcs Elevden Forest achieved the 2007 Wildlife Trusts’ ‘Biodiversity Benchmark for Landscape Management’. This is the first award for business to recognise continual biodiversity improvement. It was set up to support the UK Biodiversity Action Plan to help increase the contribution that businesses can make towards enhancing biodiversity. To find out more visit the Wildlife Trusts website. Center Parcs Elevden Forest has just published their 2007 Ecological Monitoring Studies report detailing actions on specific targets in the Center Parcs Biodiversity Action Plan. The village continues to be an important wildlife resource for the local area and has again increased its value for biodiversity. To find out more about biodiversity at the centre visit their website. River Stour eel and fish pass
Darren Tansley, Water for Wildlife Officer, Essex
Essex and Suffolk Wildlife Trusts’ Water for Wildlife projects are working with the Environment Agency to restore water flow through part of the River Stour currently bypassed by a Mill Race. The works, if agreed, will not only reinstate the original course along the Essex/Suffolk border, but also allow spawning eels and other fish to pass a flood control structure.
Contact: Gen Broad, SBP, c/o SBRC – Ipswich Museum, High St, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QH Tel: 01473 400251/264308, Mob: 0789 4885337, email:gen.broad@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
In addition, there will be new habitat for water voles and otters, both of which use this section of the river. Eels and water voles are both critically declining species but it is hoped that continued habitat enhancement work such as this, will aid attempts to increase their range and populations along what is one of our key East Anglian river catchments. Porpoise, dolphin and whale survey 2008 Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk are collaborating on a survey of marine mammals off the East Anglian coast. This project encourages the public to record sightings of harbour porpoises (a Biodiversity Action Plan species), dolphins and whales and to send the information to Seawatch Foundation who will enter details on their database. A report will be published by SBP at the end of the year detailing the results from Suffolk. The project has run very successfully in Essex in previous years; SPB is delighted to participate in the extended East Anglian survey. Leaflets are available at marinas, boatyards, chandleries and local authorities.
INFORMATION NERC Act (2006) Section 41 List - Habitats and Species of Principal Importance in England Defra has announced the publication of the list of "habitats and species of principal importance in England". Fifty-six habitats and 941 species of principal importance are included on the S41 list. The England Biodiversity List will be used to guide decision-makers such as public bodies, including local and regional authorities, in implementing their duty under section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 "to have regard" to the conservation of biodiversity in England, when carrying out their normal functions. The S41 List and further details can be found on the UK BAP website. Contact: Gavin Measures (Biodiversity, Plants & Fungi Team). Tel: 01733 455265. Marine Bill progress The draft Marine Bill was published for consultation on 3 April 2008. The deadline for comments is 26 June 2008. In addition, a Joint Committee has been set up to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill. The committee of 22 MPs and peers will make recommendations to government by 22 July 2008. Deadline for submissions 16 June. Details and issues to be scrutinised can be seen in the Defra ‘Access’ newsletter, issue 33 May 2008.
Contact: Gen Broad, SBP, c/o SBRC – Ipswich Museum, High St, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QH Tel: 01473 400251/264308, Mob: 0789 4885337, email:gen.broad@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
GRANTS Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund Natural England has announced the launch of a new Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund having secured £5 million for the next three years to fund projects run by voluntary conservation organisations. Funds will be available for projects that can demonstrate they will benefit BAP priority species and habitats in England through working at a landscape-scale, developing the evidence base, protecting the best sites, working in partnerships and being sustainable. Applications - 22 May to 18 July 2008. Awards announced early September. Minimum £25k per year, maximum £250k per year. Details available on website: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/grantsfunding/countdown.htm Contact: Trudie Mills (Biodiversity, Plants & Fungi Team), tel: 01733 455185. email: countdown2010@naturalengland.org.uk
JOB VACANCIES South Downs Joint Committee Countryside officer/ranger Based at Stanmer Park, Brighton Closing date: 13 June 2008 For an informal discussion ring Simon Culpin on 01273 625242. Further details: Tel: 01273 482025 (24 hour answerphone) Email: personnel.central@eastsussex.gov.uk Website: eastsussex.gov.uk/jobs and www.southdownsonline.org Essex Wildlife Trust • Ingrebourne Marshes Project Manager • Environmental Projects Manager • Ingrebourne Marshes Community Development Officer For further details contact Essex Wildlife Trust The Joan Elliot Visitor Centre, Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough, Colchester, CO5 7RZ Tel: 01621 862960 Fax: 01621 862990 e-mail: admin@essexwt.org.uk website: www.essexwt.org.uk
If you would like to share information on how your organisation is benefiting biodiversity in Suffolk, please send a brief article to Gen Broad, Suffolk Biodiversity Officer. Deadline for July newsletter: 30 June 2008.
Contact: Gen Broad, SBP, c/o SBRC – Ipswich Museum, High St, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QH Tel: 01473 400251/264308, Mob: 0789 4885337, email:gen.broad@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk