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Page 1: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Cynth Napper

Community Officer

Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum

www.oncf.org.uk

Page 2: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

NERC Act 2006Parish Council Duties

• ‘Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity’

Page 3: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

What is the Act’s purpose?

1. Clarify and consolidate existing biodiversity commitments - e.g.– PPS9 Biodiversity and geological conservation– EIA’s, & SEA’s

2. Make biodiversity a natural consideration in your policy and decision making processes

3. Highlight the role of biodiversity in underpinning sustainable local communities

4. Raise the awareness and profile of biodiversity within your community

Page 4: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is a term for the variety of life and the natural processes of which living things are a part. This includes all living organisms and the genetic differences between them and the communities in which they occur.

Page 5: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Why should we ‘have regard for’ biodiversity?

Because we are all, even in the developed world, 100% dependent on other species for our survival:

• Plants/Animals – Domesticated/Wild: food, clothing, shelter, fuel, oxygen, climate control, medicine

• Genetic resource • Economic value – growing, trading• Ecosystem services – bees, floodplains, soil• Aesthetic and Moral

Page 6: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Threats to Oxfordshire’s Biodiversity

• Infrastructural Development (including housing)

• Land Management

• Climate Change

• Introduced species

• Pollution

Page 7: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Implications of the NERC Act

Through your normal duties it is hoped that parish councillors will promote:

• Recording and maintenance of the existing biodiversity resource within your parish

• Enhancement of local biodiversity • Restoration of what has been lost• Recreation of links between habitats within

the parish where/when possible

Page 8: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

When to consider biodiversity - 1

• When commenting on planning applications• - will this harm or benefit wildlife?• When preparing your Parish Plan• - what opportunities are there?• When employing contractors• - do they work in wildlife-friendly ways• You are allowed to create bylaws• - A new Local Nature Reserve?

Page 9: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

When to consider biodiversity - 2

• When you are managing land• Are we considering wildlife as well as people?• When commenting on district policy and plans

(Local Area Agreements, community strategies, transport, housing, procurement, waste…)

• We know our parish best and care about it the most – are we giving our opinions clearly, and to the right people?

Page 10: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Support for councillors• Local environment group – species baseline• Environmental sub-committee• Individual recorders in the parish/TVERC• Parish plan• Parish conservation plan• BBOWT guidance on S40 of the NERC Act

at www.bbowt.org.uk• Advice and contacts through ONCF

Page 11: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Rebuilding Biodiversity in Oxfordshire

Page 12: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Target Areas

• 36 target areas for conservation action

• Landowners are being supported to access agri-environment funds

• Communities are being supported

Page 13: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .
Page 14: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .
Page 15: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Support for councillors

• In Conservation Target Areas: Book a visit by an ecologist (50/50) through ONCF

Page 16: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Ways to help your native wildlife

• Require your contractors to sign up to consider your wildlife and obey the law

• Be less tidy! Save money• Relax mowing regimes in communal spaces• Create wood habitat piles• Encourage people to record and monitor species in

the parish –birds, botany, butterflies; mammals; trees, … - to help fight unwanted development

• Use TVERC’s free database for information on your local species

Page 17: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

……..

• Create a wildflower meadow

• Create a new pond where appropriate

• Put up bird, bat and bee boxes in communal spaces

• Plant native hedgerows, trees and shrubs

• Remove invasive species

Page 18: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .
Page 19: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

• Photo of Himalayan balsam

Page 20: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

More ideas…

• Celebrate your local wildlife

• Most importantly – your example will help to make your community understand that the conservation of biodiversity, both for our future and for our children’s uncertain future is everyone’s responsibility

Page 21: Cynth Napper Community Officer Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum .

Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum

www.oncf.org.uk

[email protected]


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