ege magazine - biodiversity & natural environment

A collaborative project, led by the East Malling Research Centre with funding from the European Commission, has published a guide on creating new native woodlands for wildlife in Kent and East Sussex. Particular emphasis is placed on the creation of new woodland for wildlife on agricultural land and transport corridors. The practical experiences of a number of organisations has been shared and supplemented by a comprehensive review of published literature on woodland creation and management and natural selection, In addition, extensive surveys of woodlands in Kent and East Sussex have provided real life examples of woodland design and management.

New biodiversity duty for public bodies

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:14:02 +0000

From 1 October 2006 all public sector bodies will have to consider biodiversity in the work they do. The new duty, under Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, aims is to raise the profile of biodiversity in England and Wales, eventually to a point where biodiversity issues become second nature to everyone making decisions in the public sector. Defra, in partnership with the Local Government Association, the Association of Local Government Ecologists, English Nature, the Countryside Council for Wales, Welsh Assembly and Wildlife and Countryside Link are working on developing guidance to assist those affected in fulfilling their responsibilities.

Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:09:46 +0000

www.ieem.org.uk/ecia/EcIA%20Approved%207%20July%2006.pdf
The UK Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management has published guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA). These guidelines, which are intended for ecologists, developers, planners, local and national planning authorities, environmental managers, statutory organisations, NGOs and local groups, provide a recommended procedure for the ecological component of Environmental Impact Assessment. They set new standards for the assessment of the ecological impact of projects and plans, so as to improve the consideration of the needs of biodiversity and thereby reduce the impacts of any development. The guidelines aim to: promote a scientifically rigorous and transparent approach to EcIA; provide a common framework to EcIA in order to promote better communication and closer cooperation between ecologists involved in EcIA; and provide decision-makers with relevant information about the ecological impacts associated with a project, positive and negative.

Planning for biodiversity and geological conservation: A guide to good practice

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 10:22:01 +0000

www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/843/PlanningforBiodiversityandGeologicalConservationAGuidetoGoodPractice_id1164843.pdf