Dear WBP Member, welcome to the March 2018 newsletter
Er mwyn gweld y cylchlythyr hwn yn Gymraeg, cliciwch yma
|
|
Loss of old trees threatens survival of wood-dependent beetles in Europe– IUCN Red List
|
|
|
Saproxylic beetles depend on dead and decaying wood for at least part of their lifecycle, and are involved in decomposition processes and the recycling of nutrients in natural ecosystems. They also provide an important food source for birds and mammals, and in some cases are active as pollinators. According to the report, almost a fifth (18%) of European saproxylic beetles assessed so far are at risk of extinction due to ongoing decline in large veteran trees across Europe.
The report recommends that conservation strategies for European saproxylic beetles with the highest risk of extinction should be developed and implemented, and that best habitat management practices be broadly adopted. Public awareness should also be raised about the importance of trees for saproxylic beetle conservation.
In Wales, Area Statement invertebrate accounts will highlight key saproxylic species and important sites. The National Trust (with specialist support from NRW) will undertake an evaluation of the current condition of the saproxylic invertebrate assemblage at Chirk Castle. NRW is also trying to determine the saproxylic invertebrate interest of the Welsh Wye Valley Woodlands, with a first survey completed by early April 2018 (NRW Evidence Report No. 245) and sampling continuing during the spring and summer months.
European Red List of saproxylic beetles 2018
Text based on IUCN source. Welsh context supplied by Mike Howe, NRW Invertebrate Ecologist
Iphthiminus italicus © Hervé Bouyon /IUCN
|
|
Guidance for Section 6 – The Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty Frequently Asked Questions
This Guidance has been produced by the Welsh Government to assist and support public authorities to comply with the Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems duty (the S6 duty) in the exercise of functions in relation to Wales, introduced by Section 6 under Part 1 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. Public authorities must have regard to this guidance and any other guidance given to it by the Welsh Ministers. This Guidance is based on Frequently Asked Questions and will be updated as necessary.
Note: A S6 Task and finish expert group has been established to assist public authorities in their duty to maintain and enhance biodiversity, and promote ecosystem resilience, by agreeing and providing best practice guidance and advice
|
|
|
NRW have released their corporate plan 'Managing today’s natural resources for tomorrow’s generations. Our Corporate Plan to 2022’
The corporate plan sets out what NRW intends to do up to 2022 to work towards achieving it's Well-being Objectives and the sustainable management of natural resources in Wales. They are NRW's high level plans, below these will sit operational plans such as NRW natural resource plans and medium term service plans.
The sections in the corporate plan are taken directly from the well-being objectives NRW produced in 2017. They are:
1. Champion the Welsh environment and the sustainable management of Wales’ natural resources
2. Ensure land and water in Wales is managed sustainably and in an integrated way
3. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems
4. Reduce the risk to people and communities from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution
5. Help people live healthier and more fulfilled lives
6. Promote successful and responsible business, using natural resources without damaging them
7. Develop NRW into an excellent organisation, delivering first-class customer service
You can read the full NRW corporate plan on the NRW website
Image © Visit Wales
|
|
Policy Update
Updates this month: New date for NRAP meeting; WG Vision for land management post Brexit
|
|
|
Next Steps on Nature Recovery
A Nature Recovery Action Plan Implementation Group has been established to steer and drive the delivery and implementation of the Nature Recovery Action Plan at a local and national level. The group met for the first time on the 3rd August 2017. The focus of the first meeting was to confirm the role of the group and set its initial priorities. The group has a wide membership from Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, NGO’s and other public and private sector organisations.
Task and finish expert groups will be commissioned by the NRAP Implementation group to take forward specific tasks. The immediate task and finish expert groups were agreed and will be focused on:
- Future land use
- Reviewing and updating Part II of the NRAP
- Section 7 list criteria (an existing group)
- Section 6 guidance
- Evidence Gaps project
- Restoration and resilience
- Planning and biodiversity
- WBP conference
- Invasive Non-native Species (this is an existing group with an ongoing need due to specific INNS strategies and drivers and as such will remain as a working group)
The Implementation group will take feedback from these groups and provide recommendations to Welsh Government Ministers and NRW, especially regarding Area Statements, Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act and the CBD target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2020.
Focus in the coming months will be on the establishment of the task and finish expert groups.
The next NRAP Implementation group meeting will take place on April 18th in Merthyr Tydfil
Key legislation and strategies Environment (Wales) Act 2016
For further details on the Environment (Wales) Act and a list of supporting documents click here.
Natural Resources Policy
The publication of the first statutory Natural Resources Policy by Welsh Government has taken place.
The focus of the NRP is the sustainable management of Wales’ natural resources, to maximise their contribution to achieving goals within the Well-being of Future Generations Act. The policy sets out three National Priorities. These are:
- Delivering nature-based solutions
- Increasing renewable energy and resource efficiency
- Taking a place-based approach
Next Steps
The Natural Resources Policy sets the context for Area Statements, which will be produced by Natural Resources Wales, ensuring that the national priorities for sustainable management of natural resources inform the approach to local delivery.
The State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) 2016
The SoNaRR report was launched in October 2016. A summary report and the full report, glossary and annexes are available to download.
The report sets out the state of Wales’ natural resources. It assesses the extent to which natural resources in Wales are being sustainably managed, and recommends a proactive approach to building resilience.
NRW want to hear from you if you could assist them in developing future SoNaRRs.
Please contact NRW at sonarr@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
For details on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act click here
The office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales have produced a report 'Well-being in Wales: Planning today for a better tomorrow’ highlighting the challenges and opportunities for the future, driven by the need to change the way we deliver public services in Wales following the publication of 19 well-being assessments published by the 19 Public Services Boards across Wales.
Future Generations Framework
The Future Generations Framework has been created to support the public sector and others in Wales to deliver projects and infrastructure fit for the future. Using this framework will help projects to be developed in an integrated and collaborative way, based on what people need and supporting the well-being of communities today as well as in the long-term. This is the first version of the framework and we will continue to develop and create updated versions based on feedback from users. If you have read or used the Framework, please send your feedback to us via contactus@futuregenerations.wales
Future Generations Commissioner: Policy Priorities and Future Plans
Six priority areas have been identified which the FGC believes will address the root causes of problems facing future generations and help achieve the best multiple outcomes. They relate to two broad themes:
(1) Creating the right infrastructure for future generations within which the focus will be:
- Housing stock
- Energy generation and efficiency
- Transport planning
(2) Equipping people for the future within which the focus will be:
- Skills
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Alternative models for improving health and well-being - often called 'social prescribing'
Key Future Generations documents: future plans, annual report, and ‘Well-being in Wales: Planning today for a better tomorrow’ report
Nature Recovery Action Plan
For further details outlining the aims of the NRAP and an explanation of its constituent parts please visit the Welsh Government website
Pollinators Taskforce update
The Pollinators Taskforce met on the 23rd March in Newtown. Action points from the meeting will be available on the WBP website. The Action Plan for Pollinators in Wales Stocktake is currently been undertaken between Welsh Government and the Pollinators Task Force.
To contribute to the work of the Pollinator Group in Wales, and for further details of the groups' activities please contact Bio.Diversity@gov.wales or visit the Pollinator section on the WBP website.
EU initiative on pollinators consultation
The consultation aims to collect views on the decline of pollinators in order to inform the development of an EU initiative on pollinators. The questionnaire covers the causes and consequences of pollinator declines, potential mitigation measures and the EU dimension to the problem.
Vision for land management in Wales post Brexit
WG Environment Secretary Lesley Griffiths has outlined five core principles that underpin the vision for a new Welsh land management policy.They are:
- We need to keep farmers on the land. Welsh land must be managed by those who know it.
- We need to ensure our agricultural sector can be prosperous and resilient in a post-Brexit future, whatever that may be.
- Our new policy should centre on Welsh land delivering public goods for all the people of Wales.
- Our system of support should be accessible to all. That means giving farmers the opportunity to continue to make a living from the land.
- We must not turn our backs on food production. Where sustainable production is viable, we must help our farmers compete in a global marketplace.
Further details on the Welsh Government website
|
|
|
Can you help us count pollinators?
Insects pollinate almost 90% of the world’s flowering plants, but there is concern that pollinators are declining. The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme has been set up to gather evidence to inform research and conservation of the insects that provide such an important service.
You can help by carrying out a FIT Count (Flower-Insect Timed Count). Simply find a patch of one of our target types of flower and spend ten minutes counting all the insects that visit the flowers. We ask you to identify insects to group level (bumblebee, solitary bee, hoverfly, beetle etc.), and if you can’t find one of our target flowers nearby you can use another flowering plant.
FIT Counts can be done at any time between the beginning of April and the end of September, as long as the weather is warm and not too windy. Regular counts at the same place (once a month or once a week etc.) are particularly useful, but one-off counts are needed as well, at any location.
All the information you need to join in the FIT Counts can be found here, including a recording form and guides to help you identify the flowers and insect groups:
www.ceh.ac.uk/pollinator-monitoring
See also our video guide at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuTiPEJI8rQ
Anyone can take part in the FIT Count, at any location where there are flowers and insects, so please do spread the word!
Text from CEH source
|
|
People, Ponds and Water Project Summary report
|
|
|
The People, Ponds and Water project run by Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT) has ended with a with a special event in Chester. The project will shortly be publishing the State of Pond Nature report. The report will share all the evidence FHT hold to push for changes in policy and practice to protect our freshwater wildlife.
In the meantime, FHT has published a summary report with some of the headlines and numbers from the project. For example, over 15,000 volunteers helped gather data on the health of our freshwater habitats. Volunteers were critical for the project delivery and submitted 8,500 individual wildlife records from over 3,300 ponds!
Text modified from FHT source
Image © FHT
|
|
|
MCS has updated its online 'Good Fish Guide' with some exciting new additions to its green rated ‘Best Choice’ list. Megrim from Rockall, Northern North Sea and West of Scotland; North Sea line and trap-caught or UK farmed turbot; line-caught pollack from the Celtic Sea; lemon sole, seine netted from the North Sea and eastern English Channel and queen scallop, traditionally caught in the Fal Estuary in Cornwall, are all now on the Good Fish Guide green-rated Best Choice List.
You can download the 'Good Fish Guide' and the 'Good Fish Ap on the MCS website along with other resources to allow you to make sustainable choices when buying and consuming seafood.
Did you know:
In the UK we eat 486,000 tonnes of seafood a year, which is 8.2kg per person
Over 3,000 sq km of our seabed is now protected from bottom-towed gear
An estimated £1.1 billion is spent on fish and chips every year in the UK
Text based on MCS source
|
|
This month, the spring equinox means longer days ahead with hopefully warmer days to follow. Spring migrants - chiffchaff, sand martin and wheatear are arriving and woodland flowers are beginning their build up to a spectacular display peaking in April and May. As well as enjoying Wales' nature you can help contribute to our knowledge of species and habitats by taking part in a survey.
If you would like to highlight a survey not listed here, please get in touch If you want to enjoy something more energetic, why not volunteer and enjoy in the outdoors in a social environment.
|
|
|
BeeWalk is the national recording scheme run by Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) to monitor the abundance of bumblebees across the UK. The survey would be impossible without volunteers, who once a month between March and October, walk a fixed route of their choosing (generally, though not necessarily, about a mile long) identify and count the bumblebees and send us their records.
The information collected by BeeWalk volunteers is integral to monitoring how bumblebee populations change through time, and will allow BBCT to detect early warning signs of population declines. All data collected will contribute to important long-term monitoring of bumblebee population changes in response to changes in land-use and climate change and, ultimately, to informing how we manage the countryside.
For more information and to sign up see www.beewalk.org.uk or email beewalk@bumblebeeconservation.org
BBCT have a variety of resources on their website to get started with identification http://bit.ly/1FWqw2r and you can also post photos to their partner website BeeWatch http://bit.ly/beewatch for help with identifying a bumblebee.
Text and image sourced from BBCT
|
|
PondNet Spawn Survey Wales 1st Feb - 31st May
Freshwater habitats Trust would like your help in reporting frog and toad spawn in your local or garden pond. You can do your bit by taking part in the PondNet Survey Wales. The results will help map out the distribution of frogs and toads in Wales. The survey runs form 1st Feb to 31st May.
The Big Seaweed Search!
Seaweeds are important. They form habitats, creating shelter and providing food for an immense diversity of marine organisms and also support fish nurseries and commercial fisheries. You can help MCS by signing up for your Big Seaweed Search guide and you'll be contributing to vital research by having fun and exploring your local rocky shore.
OPAL Surveys
Why not take part in an OPAL survey? The OPAL Air Survey can be done at any time of year and by taking part in the OPAL Air Survey you can find out about air quality near you and help OPAL scientists answer important questions about the impacts of air quality across the UK. Handy guides include field notebook, lichen and tree identification sheets. Resources are also available in Welsh.
The OPAL Data Explorer has recently launched allowing you to visualise environmental data submitted by OPAL participants for all current OPAL Surveys
This is our Year of the Sea
In 2018 we’re celebrating Wales’ outstanding coastline, and inviting visitors to discover new epic experiences all around our shores, with special events and attractions throughout the year.
Nature’s calendar 2018
Frogspawn © Hannah Shaw/FHT
Blue tit © BTO
|
|
Join the Hunt for Amazing Oil Beetles in Wales
|
|
|
Buglife need your help to boost our records for oil beetles in Wales!
Buglife’s UK wide oil beetle hunt is helping us to understand and conserve these impressive and intriguing insects.
We have five species of oil beetle in the UK, three of which can be found here in Wales.
Now is the ideal time to look for the Black oil beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), the Violet oil beetle (Meloe violaceus) as well as the rarer Rugged oil beetle (Meloe rugosus). Check footpaths when you are walking through fields, heathland, coastal areas or woodland where they can be found looking for mates and nesting sites, and feeding on path-side flowers.
If you find an oil beetle, take photographs from above which clearly show the top of the thorax (mid-section) to identify the species using our online identification guide. Then submit your record using the recording form on our website. You can submit a record even if you do not know the species.
Text sourced from Buglife
Black oil beetle © Phil Roxby /Buglife
|
|
|
Species of the month is a feature brought to you in collaboration with the Local Environmental Record Centres in Wales. You can submit recordings of the featured species or any species (no matter how common) to one of the four Local Environmental Record Centres - each covering a specific area in Wales. To view which LERC covers your geographical location click here
Species of the Month: Brimstone Butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni
A welcome harbinger of spring, this bright yellow butterfly is one of the earliest to appear from hibernation. In fact only the males are bright yellow, with the females being a muted cream colour. They can be spotted on the wing from early March (sometimes even earlier).
This species can be found throughout the SEWBReC area; you can view the Welsh distribution of Brimstone on Aderyn here. More information about the Brimstone can be found on the Butterfly Conservation website.
Text modified from SEWBReC source
Brimstone @ Jonathan Evans
|
|
EU initiative on pollinators consultation
The consultation aims to collect views on the decline of pollinators in order to inform the development of an EU initiative on pollinators. The questionnaire covers the causes and consequences of pollinator declines, potential mitigation measures and the EU dimension to the problem.
Consultation closing date: 5 April
NRW Shooting Review Consultation
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is asking people to comment on its proposals about shooting on its land.
Consultation link
Consultation closing date: 25th April
Planning Policy Wales – Edition 10 consultation
In light of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, we are proposing to revise Planning Policy Wales (PPW).
Consultation link
Consultation closing date: 18th May
|
|
Biodiversity News
Biodiversity News 77 has now been uploaded onto the JNCC website, and is available to view here
Past editions of Biodiversity News can be seen here
Articles highlighting projects from Wales are especially welcome.
Articles should be around 1-2 sides of A4 with pictures attached in the email. You can submit articles to: biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk
|
|
|
Wales Bat Workers’ Day 2018
14th April Llandrindod Wells
The day is aimed at anyone with an interest in bats and it will also provide a good opportunity for meeting with others who are involved with bat work.
NBN Atlas Wales Stakeholder Engagement Day
25th April National Library, Aberystwyth
This is an open invitation to anyone in the biodiversity community in Wales who would like to learn more about, and contribute to the development of, the NBN Atlas Wales.
The NBN Atlas Wales is an online biodiversity data portal that is freely available to use.
We want your input to help the NBN Atlas Wales become a really powerful and useful tool. Come along to learn more about the Atlas, and to give your feedback on how we can make it better. The day will consist of demos, presentations, and workshop-style group discussions, and will give you plenty of opportunity to learn about the NBN Atlas Wales, as well as allowing you to be part of the on-going discussions to help us improve the site.
The day is open to all, both experienced and novice users of the NBN Atlas Wales. We just ask that you have familiarised yourself with the site ahead of the day.
Details available on the NBN website
International Day for Biodiversity 22nd May
This year's IDB theme will be: "Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity".
Further details at the IDB website
Wales Nature Week 2- 10 June
Annual celebration of nature in Wales. Further details to follow
Beyond the Coast 2018 – 26 & 27 June
2018 sees the tenth anniversary of the first Marine Protected Area designated in UK offshore waters. To mark this milestone JNCC are hosting Beyond the Coast, a conference on the future of our offshore marine environment.
WBP Conference 2018
Diary date - 19th and 20th September, National Museum Wales, Cardiff
Further details to follow.
Year of the Sea
In 2018 we’re celebrating Wales’ outstanding coastline, and inviting visitors to discover new epic experiences all around our shores, with special events and attractions throughout the year.
This is our Year of the Sea
Nature’s calendar 2018
Image © Sean McHugh
|
|
|
Aberystwyth University
Lifelong Learning Courses in ecology
Denmark Farm
A range of courses are available at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre.
Lantra Courses
Funding for Countryside Skills
Are you a smallholder, volunteer or contractor working in environmental conservation in Wales? If so, then funding support is available to develop your countryside skills. 25% funding (up to £60) is available. For further details please call 01982 552 646.
LANTRA homepage
Plas Tan y Bwlch
Professional training courses including habitat management courses.
Ecology Courses at Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
WTSWW offer a range of training courses for the trainee and amateur ecologist
Image © Open Air Laboratories (OPAL)
www.opalexplorenature.org
|
|
Natural Heritage Senior Project Officer, Monmouthshire
Gwent Wildlife Trust is seeking to recruit a full-time Senior Project Officer, for a fixed 3-year contract, as part of the Living Levels Partnership Scheme (RSPB led) on the Gwent Levels, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Closing date: Thursday 5th April
Link: http://www.gwentwildlife.org/jobs/natural-heritage-senior-project-officer
Wildlife Trust Living Seas Engagement Officer roles
Post based at the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ Living Seas team at the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC), New Quay and the other post at North Wales Wildlife Trust, Bangor.
Wildlife Trust South & West Wales –full job description and application form is available here
North Wales Wildlife Trust - A full job description and application form is available here
The deadline for both applications is 9am 11th April.
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Wales Conservation Officer
Closing date: 18th April
Outreach Officer west Wales
Closing date: 18th April
Actif Woods Publicity Co-ordinator and Admin Assistant, Machynlleth
|
|
|
NRW Funding Newsletter
Current funding update compiled by Natural Resources Wales and available on the NRW website
PTES Annual Conservation Insight Grants
People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) Conservation Insight Grants are for projects focusing on endangered species for up to two years. Grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 per annum for up to two years, with a maximum total of £20,000, are available. Applications deadline is 20 April 2018
Glastir Woodland Creation
Glastir Woodland Creation provides financial support for new planting. Financial support is also available for planting trees in areas that continue to be grazed as part of an Agroforestry system.
Deadline: 6 April 2018
Greggs Foundation environment grant
Grants of up to £2,000 and concentrate on helping existing not for profit organisations to deliver new projects.
Who can apply?
Any not for profit organisation can apply, preference will be given to small, locally based and community led organisations with a turnover not in excess of £300,000 per annum. Schools are also encouraged to apply providing the project is accessible to the community outside of school hours. For further details visit the website
Tesco Community Funding administered by Groundwork
Grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 are available for open space improvements that benefit the community. Eligible projects include spaces such as pocket parks, school grounds, allotments, sports facilities, woodland walks and community gardens. For further details visit the website. Sign up to the e-newsletter to ensure you receive notifications.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund HLF Cymru offer workshops which focus on different funding programmes so you'll need to decide which is most relevant to you. You don't need a project idea to attend - just come along and find out more. The Funding Support Workshops are a great opportunity to find out about our funding, learn about our outcomes, get tips on how to make a good application and network with other organisations from your area. You will also meet the development team for HLF Cymru.
Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water Funding
Water Framework Directive Funding Scheme
The scheme provides financial contributions for groups to undertake projects which they can demonstrate will deliver improvements to either inland, ground or coastal waters. The projects in turn help implement the objectives of the European Union’s Water Framework Directive in Welsh Water’s operating area intended to drive up water quality.
Applicants must;
• describe how their proposal relates to Dŵr Cymru operations or assets;
• they may be directly related to reducing the impacts / effects of the operation of assets or discharges,
• or involve ‘upstream’ or other work that could reduce the burden or risk of improvements being required at Dŵr Cymru assets.
Invasive Non-Native Species Funding Scheme
This fund aims to curb the growth and spread of invasive non-native species which pose a threat to indigenous plants and animals. A total of £60,000 is being made available for projects which will enable the company to support local groups to take action to prevent, reduce, eradicate or manage the risk of non-native species.
For further information about both funds please go to the following link
Image Bug House Forest Farm, Cardiff © Sean McHugh
|
|
|
|
|
