October 2009 Newsletter
On the front line of conservation…
Together with the University of Brighton we are working on a substantial proposal for Darwin Initiative funding to develop biodiversity monitoring capacity in a reserve in the northwest Andean cloud forest of Ecuador.
Biocensus is a business with a strong conservation ethic, and consequently we aim to devote a significant portion of our resources to biodiversity conservation projects. Together with the University of Brighton we are working on a substantial proposal for Darwin Initiative funding to develop biodiversity monitoring capacity in a reserve in the northwest Andean cloud forest of Ecuador. This magnificent habitat is a biodiversity hotspot and a global conservation priority, as it is home to at least 9,000 species of vascular plants and 1,625 vertebrates, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Sadly less than one third of this habitat remains intact and even that is under continuing pressure from agriculture, forestry and mining interests.
As an initial step in August this year, our staff carried out a ‘scoping visit’ to the area, funded through a small grant secured from the Darwin Initiative, and supplemented by Biocensus. We met with members of community-run reserves at Santa Lucia and Junin, and agreed a plan to work with them to set up a biodiversity monitoring and training programme. Our proposal aims to implement long-term, community-led biodiversity monitoring, improved reserve management, and sustainable ecotourism. We believe this will help secure the future of these valuable areas, and act as a model that can be applied elsewhere.
If you would like to follow our efforts then please join our mailing list by emailing us at enquiries@biocensus.co.uk.
Brush up (or get started?) on your botanical surveying techniques
Biocensus has been running one day courses in Phase 1 habitat surveying since 2006, and now we have added a complimentary course on the identification of common grassland plants. Both courses, which involve classroom and field sessions, have been a resounding success. Further course details can be found on the Phase One Habitat Survey page.
Send us an email to book your place now.
This year participants on the Phase 1 course braved the ‘barbeque summer’ weather to complete an afternoon of hands-on habitat mapping at our field site, which offers a broad diversity of habitat types. On the grassland plant identification course we spent even longer in the field, visiting two locations where, with the help of our highly experienced tutor, we were able to identify a wide variety of species including pyramidal, fragrant and bee orchids. Our courses are suitable for complete beginners or those who wish to brush up on their existing knowledge.
This course is aimed at those who may be required to carry out Phase One surveys in relation to development, planning, countryside management, mitigation or conservation. A comprehensive introduction to the Phase One habitat survey approach and discussion of related techniques is followed by practical instruction in the field.
If you would like to follow our efforts then please join our mailing list by emailing us at enquiries@biocensus.co.uk.
New Badger Guidance from Natural England
In June 2009, Natural England published updated guidance on the interpretation of the terms ‘current use’ and ‘disturbance’ of badger setts under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
The implications of the new guidelines are explained in two forthcoming Biocensus courses ‘An Introduction to Badger Ecology and Management’, endorsed by the UK Badger Trust and ‘Wildlife and the Law: An Introduction to UK Wildlife Legislation’ .
Send us an email to book your place now.
The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 provides protection for badgers that includes prohibiting disturbance of setts in ‘current use’. However, what constitutes an offence depends very much on the definitions of ‘disturbance’ and ‘current use’, and these have been the subject of much debate.
The new guidance aims to better reflect the intentions of the Act, and differs substantially from previous guidelines published by English Nature. They are considerably less prescriptive in terms of the specific activities and distances from setts that would require a licence. This will provide much food for thought for those of us who advise on badger-related issues.
If you would like to know more about us then join our mailing list by emailing us at enquiries@biocensus.co.uk