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Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP)
NBIS, as part of an improved service, is now undertaking habitat mapping projects which will feed into the Habitat Action Plan process. The Species of Conservation Concern sent out as part of our data enquiry service, contain a large proportion of BAP species. For more information on the BAP process, see below.
The history behind the BAP process:
In June 1992, 159 governments at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro signed the Convention of Biological Diversity. It came into force on 29 December 1993 and was the first treaty to provide a legal framework for biodiversity conservation. It called for the creation and enforcement of national strategies and action plans to conserve, protect and enhance biological diversity. In 1993 the UK government consulted with over three hundred organisations throughout the UK during a two-day seminar to debate the key issues raised at the Biodiversity Convention. From this was launched "Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan" in 1994. The report identified 59 broad activities for conservation work to take place over the next 20 years and a steering group was created to take the work forward. It established fundamental principles for future biodiversity conservation in the UK.
The most recent UK list of priority habitats and species was released in June 2007.
In order for the national priorities and targets to be met it was considered essential that action is taken at local level. The Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan, produced by the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership Steering Group, was officially launched in January 1999.This Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) is essential in ensuring action is taken at a local level to meet national priorities and targets. There are now currently Action Plans for 46 Species and 19 Habitats.
The Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan will evolve and in time will contain species and habitats of more regional and local significance. One of the strengths of the Biodiversity Action Plan process is that it enables conservation efforts to be prioritised, but precise data on both the historical or current Norfolk distribution and population trends for very few of these species have been properly established, documented or shared amongst the group partners to ensure a common denominator of understanding. This is important Norfolk conservation work to which the NBIS has devoted considerable time and attention in the last few years.
Biodiversity Partnership
The Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership was established in 1996 and brings together local authorities, statutory agencies and voluntary groups in pursuit of a shared vision - the conservation, enhancement and restoration of the county's biological diversity. NBIS has a crucial role to play in the development and implementation of the Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) – the county’s plan to maintain and enhance the biodiversity of Norfolk. The records and data provided by NBIS are not only important for the preparation of Species and Habitat Action Plans, but also, for the establishment of baselines, the assessment of trends, and the evaluation of progress.
FROM SPRINGWATCH TO GLOW-WORM WATCH
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Norfolk Bats and Roadside Mammals Survey
NEWSLETTER:
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EVENTS
5-6 June 2010 -Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Big Biodiversity Watch. @ NWT reserves across the county. For further information visit www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
19 June 2010 - Wild about Wymondham, Town Green Centre, Wymondham. For further information contact a.vroberts@talktalk.net
17-18 July 2010 - Non-native Species: Action Weekend. Various locations across Norfolk. For further information contact michael.sutton-croft@norfolk.gov.uk
09 September 2010 - Planning and Biodiversity Seminar, South Norfolk Council Offices, Long Stratton (tbc). For further information contact scott.perkin@norfolk.gov.uk
06 October 2010 (tbc) - Annual Biodiversity Forum: 'Economics and Biodiversity'. Abbey Conference Centre, Norwich. For further information contact scott.perkin@norfolk.gov.uk
09 October 2010 - Wild about Norfolk. Neatherd High School, Dereham. For further information contact Tessa Needham: needham_t@sky.com