Welcome to the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership Newsletter.

In this message:

	Redditch Borough Council to sign Biodiversity Pledge
	£2 million funding boost for the Long Mynd
	Spotlight on . . . Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust
	Plea from The Grasslands Trust
	'Our Rivers' campaign
	Enjoying water in the Midlands
	Access to Nature grant awarded to National Trust
	Aggregates Levy grant awarded to local Wildlife Trust
	WMBP climate change seminar
	Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Biodiversity Grants
	Agri-environment schemes report

Redditch Borough Council to sign Biodiversity Pledge

Redditch Borough Council has committed to signing the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership's Biodiversity Pledge. The Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act, which came into force in England and Wales on 1st October 2006, states that ' every public authority must, in exercising its function, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity'. This duty affects over 900 public bodies including local authorities. In association with the West Midlands Local Government Association, the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership created the West Midlands Biodiversity Pledge to raise awareness of the new biodiversity duty.  The Pledge was specifically developed to encourage local authorities in the region to sign up to as a way of showing their commitment.

£2 million funding boost for the Long Mynd

The Long Mynd common, part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the largest Site of Special Scientific Interest in the West Midlands, is set to benefit from nearly £2 million of new funding over the next ten years. The sixteen active graziers of the Long Mynd have signed a new ten-year Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement with Natural England , to replace an expiring ten-year Environmentally Sensitive Area agreement. The HLS agreement will bring in more than £170,000 in annual management payments each year over the next ten years. A further £70,000 has been earmarked for the first three years of the agreement for some innovative and essential environmental projects to be delivered by the National Trust , which is the owner of the Long Mynd. The combined agreement pot will help to protect, restore and maintain key wildlife habitats, continuing to provide access for peace, fresh air and recreation. With the contrast of sheltered stream valleys and the upland wilderness of undulating heather, the Long Mynd attracts over 250,000 visitors a year who enjoy exploring the 30 miles of pathways.

Spotlight on . . . Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust

The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country is one of 47 local Wildlife Trusts working to make the United Kingdom a better place for people and wildlife. With almost 800,000 members, the Wildlife Trusts are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. Collectively they manage over 2,000 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares. Locally the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country works to conserve biodiversity, improve the environment and raise awareness and understanding of wildlife issues. Some of the activities that the Trust is involved in include: education - engaging with young people and schools through the delivery of National Curriculum-related work programmes and extended school activities; strategic conservation - monitoring and advising on plans and proposals, liaising with land managers on best practice for wildlife, undertaking biodiversity action, and managing an extensive database of the region's flora and fauna; and promotion - increasing the profile and awareness of urban biodiversity and sustainability through the organisation of events, and local and regional media exposure.

Plea from The Grasslands Trust

The Grasslands Trust has the opportunity to buy The Bury Farm , 77 hectares of unimproved meadows, limestone grassland, ancient orchards and hedgerows in Herefordshire. The land is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and was originally a grange farm of Leominster Abbey. Because of an inheritance issue the farm has to be sold, and the Grasslands Trust is very concerned that the farm will be absorbed into a neighbouring commercial estate - if this happens, the farm's wildlife value will quickly be lost. The Grasslands Trust already has the support and backing of Herefordshire Council , and the Trust is in the process of making a Stage One application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.  The Grasslands Trust is keen to develop a partnership of organisations to work on the project - if you support the Trust's proposals and are interested in getting involved, email a one-line quote of support to Lucy Cooper, Chief Executive of the Grasslands Trust at lucy.cooper@grasslands-trust.org 

'Our Rivers' campaign

Earlier this year a report revealed that three quarters of rivers in England and Wales are failing European targets on environmental quality. But in the majority of cases the Environment Agency’s official plans – due to be published this month - fail to set out action to tackle the problems, such as pollution from fertilisers and over-abstraction, which threaten river wildlife. The ‘Our Rivers’ campaign was set up by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the World Wildlife Fund UK, the Angling Trust and the Association of Rivers Trusts to help encourage people who know and care about their local river to fill the gaps in understanding. The Trent, Tame and Severn are just some of the rivers that have been adopted by local river groups as part of the campaign. “The need for action was clearly demonstrated only last month when untreated sewage and cyanide made its way into parts of the River Trent,” said Frank Lucas, the RSPB’s conservation team manager in the West Midlands. “What we need are strong plans that will help ensure that these vital ecosystems are safeguarded and restored back to health. But instead what we seem to be getting are plans that are visionless and lacking in ambition.”  

Enjoying water in the Midlands

The Environment Agency is holding a series of workshops in February in order to get a current picture of water-related sport and recreation in the Midlands, and to identify new places for people to enjoy water. The following workshops are being held in the West Midlands: Telford, 9th February; Birmingham, 10th February; and Hereford, 11th February. Places are limited so if you would like to attend, email your details along with your preferred workshop to: enjoying_water_in_the_midlands@environment-agency.gov.uk

Access to Nature grant awarded to National Trust

The National Trust has been awarded a grant from the Big Lottery Fund and Natural England Access to Nature fund. The Green Academies Project (GAP) aims to create new learning and personal development opportunities for disadvantaged young people from south Birmingham, through practical involvement with the natural environment on their doorstep. Working in partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and relevant local youth organisations and training providers, the project will equip young people with the skills, knowledge and vision needed to participate in the development and delivery of a Greenspaces Community Engagement and Learning Portfolio. The main focus of the community engagement activities will be at National Trust sites in south Birmingham, including the Clent Hills, Frankley Beeches and Earlswood Nature Reserve.

Aggregates Levy grant awarded to local Wildlife Trust

The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund has awarded a grant to the Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust to assist in funding a project to discover and gather evidence about the wildlife, biodiversity importance and value of aggregate sites in the Black Country. The Wildlife Trust, working with a range of partners including the Biodiversity and Geodiversity Partnerships, the Black Country Consortium and EcoRecord , will complete an audit of wildlife associated with aggregate sites by undertaking a desk study and new ecological survey work. The project will run to March 2011.
 

WMBP climate change seminar

The West Midlands Climate Change Adaptation Partnership and the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership held a successful seminar in November on climate change adaptation and biodiversity in the West Midlands. Click here to download speakers' presentations.  More information on Climate Change adaptation for biodiversity can be found on the WMBP web site.  Also the WMBP have produced an advice note for local authorities that can be downloaded.

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Biodiversity Grants

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has announced that it has changed the funding criteria for its biodiversity funding scheme . A total of £3 million in grants will be available until December 2010, for projects that develop a greater knowledge and understanding of certain habitats and their associated species. The Foundation will consider applications from research organisations, practical conservation charities and voluntary nature societies. Although there is no specified minimum or maximum grant amount per project, previous grants have ranged from £17,000 to £195,000. Applications can be submitted at any time.  

Agri-environment schemes report

Natural England has published a comprehensive analysis of agri-environment schemes, drawing on research from the entire 22-year history of the schemes. The report highlights how the schemes have brought together farmers and conservationists to fulfil the twin goals of caring for the natural environment and securing sustainable food production. Click here to download the report.