In 1992, the UK signed an international conservation agreement (the Convention of
Biological Diversity) at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit. This led to the development
of a national biodiversity programme, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). The
strength of this programme lies in it being delivered at a local level by county Action
Plans, such as the Essex BAP.
County BAPs identify local priorities, so we can target action not only on national priority
species and habitats, such as otters and heathlands, but also on those of special local
importance. Examples of local BAP priorities in Essex are Fisher's Estuarine moth,
which is found only in Essex and one small site in Kent, and Sea Hog's Fennel, the food
plant of the caterpillar.
EBP has an active and comprehensive programme including research, awareness raising
and support for community wildlife projects based on BAP species and habitats
throughout Essex. We can provide practical assistance, funding and guidance in improving
habitats and conserving important species. Some of our recent work includes:
• Collaboration with the Environment Agency to establish sites of native white-
clawed crayfish populations in Uttlesford district.
• Support for Galleywood Parish Council in their successful bid for a £25 k
grant to enhance and manage village sites in a wildlife-friendly way.
• Provision of financial and technical support for Gt. Bardfield Parish Council
in their ambitious project to re-introduce oxlips to sites where they had once
flourished.
• Provision of advice, funding and practical assistance in removing silt and
clearing overhanging vegetation from Feering Community Centre pond in
Braintree and Sweetings Meadow in Uttlesford district.
• Provision of funding and management guidance for Southminster old orchard
volunteer group in Maldon and the creation of more than 20 school orchards
across the county.
• Reedbed restoration on Mersea Island.
Funding has become available in 2007 for several major projects, including £10 k for
important wet grassland restoration work at Witham, working with the Town Council
and the Environment Agency; and £5k for reedbed restoration at Marshgate Spring
Local Nature reserve working with Harlow Council.
The Essex BAP lists 28 species and 15 habitats: full details can be seen on our website
www.essexbiodiversity.org.uk. If your community would like advice in managing a
grassland site for wildflowers, protecting a small area of wetland or have ideas for other
projects which could benefit BAP species and habitats, please contact us. Larger scale
projects that perhaps cross parish boundaries are particularly valuable, providing a greater
variety of habitats, and therefore greater security, for our key species.
Contact: Gen Broad (Coordinator) or Mark Iley (Project Officer), Essex Biodiversity
Project, email: genevieveb@essexwt.org.uk or marki@essexwt.org.uk tel: 01621 862981
(Gen) or 01621 862975 (Mark).
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 53, May 2007
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