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Biodiversity at top of agenda
- By Chief Editor
- Published 14 Apr 2008
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Many public bodies are actively pursuing positive initiatives to promote biodiversity on their land, buildings, and in encouraging others in response to a new biodiversity duty placed upon them by national government.
This was the outcome of a seminar organised by Herefordshire Council at the Courtyard Theatre which was attended by representatives from many public organisations in Herefordshire and partners working with them.
Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: “We as a council must lead by example and ensure we are 'walking our talk'. Herefordshire has a high quality environment and it is important that we protect and enhance it. Knowing what others are doing can inspire us to broaden our activities in this area of the council’s responsibilities, this event has given us much food for thought.”
The event was sponsored by Natural England and Councillor Jarvis added: “We are grateful to Natural England for sponsoring the day and are pleased to work with them in particular as partners. Speakers at the event showed us what could be done in relation to highway l
and, parks and gardens and other land owned by public authorities.”
Other issues covered at the event include what can be done by parish councils, the links between biodiversity and health, and works within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Speakers included Conor Kretsch form the CoHab Initiative based in Galway, Geoff Richards from the Highways Agency (South West), representatives from Wildlife Trusts, Chris Jones from Telford & Wrekin Council, North Wales Police, Bill Bloxsome (Conservation Manager, Herefordshire Council) and the event was chaired by Michael Hainge, Director of Environment, Herefordshire Council.
The event was called to promote a new duty placed on public authorities by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC) for public authorities to promote biodiversity conservation.
The new legislation requires that “every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity”. In addition there will be an International Biodiversity day, which will be held on Thursday May 22, and Herefordshire Council is planning a series of guided walks and displays to promote this issue further.
This was the outcome of a seminar organised by Herefordshire Council at the Courtyard Theatre which was attended by representatives from many public organisations in Herefordshire and partners working with them.
Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: “We as a council must lead by example and ensure we are 'walking our talk'. Herefordshire has a high quality environment and it is important that we protect and enhance it. Knowing what others are doing can inspire us to broaden our activities in this area of the council’s responsibilities, this event has given us much food for thought.”
The event was sponsored by Natural England and Councillor Jarvis added: “We are grateful to Natural England for sponsoring the day and are pleased to work with them in particular as partners. Speakers at the event showed us what could be done in relation to highway l
Other issues covered at the event include what can be done by parish councils, the links between biodiversity and health, and works within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Speakers included Conor Kretsch form the CoHab Initiative based in Galway, Geoff Richards from the Highways Agency (South West), representatives from Wildlife Trusts, Chris Jones from Telford & Wrekin Council, North Wales Police, Bill Bloxsome (Conservation Manager, Herefordshire Council) and the event was chaired by Michael Hainge, Director of Environment, Herefordshire Council.
The event was called to promote a new duty placed on public authorities by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC) for public authorities to promote biodiversity conservation.
The new legislation requires that “every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity”. In addition there will be an International Biodiversity day, which will be held on Thursday May 22, and Herefordshire Council is planning a series of guided walks and displays to promote this issue further.