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Standing Up for
Wildlife
For many years the Wildlife Trust has recognised that whilst it is critically important to conserve our valuable and scarce species of plants and animals in our nature reserves, we also need to try to conserve and augment wildlife in the wider countryside if populations are to survive in the long term. The potential impacts of climate change make it even more critical that important habitats should be extended, buffered and linked to allow wildlife to migrate and to ensure that populations are robust enough to survive the inevitable changes. As a result we are always keen to talk to landowners near our Reserves about possible habitat enhancement work on their land and we offer free advice on entry into agri-environment schemes. We are also focusing effort on developing comprehensive landscape-scale improvements on two areas of the County where there is high potential to manage, restore and re-create priority habitats: the Trent Valley between North Muskham and Laneham (“The Trent Holmes Project Area”) and the area of Sherwood sandlands around Mansfield, Clipstone and Rainworth (“the Rainworth Complex area”). We are currently working with partner organisations, landowners and others to develop exciting habitat projects in these areas. If you own land in this area and would like to talk to us about potential grants for conservation projects or if you live locally and have ideas for nature conservation projects in your community, please do contact Janice Bradley on 0115 958 8242.
The Wildlife Trust is a major landowner in Nottinghamshire with an estate covering over 2000 acres. For more than 40 years we have managed sites ranging from wildflower meadows to heathland and ancient woodlands. Whilst nature reserves and other protected sites are very important, for wildlife to thrive it is vital that the wider countryside is managed in ways that encourage and promote biodiversity. We provide free advice on: • Creation and maintenance of field margins. • Establishing and managing hedgerows. • Wetland creation and management. • Simple management practices to benefit wildlife. • Timing of operations to benefit wildlife. • Provision of foraging opportunities and nesting habitat for farmland birds. • Grassland management and creation • Woodland management and creation • Heathland management and creation Barn owls and bats: Bats have National and European protection throughout the year, and barn owls are specially protected when breeding. Both can occur in farm buildings. We can help you stay within the law as well as offer advice on nesting boxes to encourage these species to roost and breed on your land. Agri-environment schemes: We provide advice on the completion of Environmental Stewardship Scheme and England Woodland Grant Scheme applications, and can also advise you on the best options for your land to integrate wildlife conservation with your farming regimes. Farmland Birds: Two simple and effective ways to help farmland birds are supplementary winter feeding and the provision of nest boxes. Through our bed and Breakfast for Farmland Birds scheme, we can provide subsidised feed hoppers and boxes and advice on where to site them. Hedgerows: Hedgerows are a valuable source of food and shelter for a variety of birds, mammals and insects. The Wildlife Trust can offer you management tips to make sure your hedgerows maintain and increase their wildlife value. Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) Sometimes called Wildlife Sites, SINC is a non-statutory designation that recognises important habitats with scarce fauna and flora and provides greater protection from development. At present there are approximately 1,400 in Nottinghamshire including all types of habitat with high biodiversity quality. SINCs have historically been notified mainly because of their plants, but are now being selected for birds, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and moths. Agri-environment schemes must target appropriate management of SINCs and NWT can advise on appropriate management for SINC designations. For further information on SINC designation contact: Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre (NBGRC), Nottingham Natural History Museum, Wollaton Park, Nottingham NG8 2AE. Tel: 0115 915 3909
Working with Local Authorities We work closely with many Local Authorities on many aspects of conservation work in addition to planning and development control matters:
Influencing Local, Regional and National Policy The threats facing wildlife are ever increasing, particularly those relating to development and climate change. A key element of reducing the harm inflicted on the natural world is through maintaining active involvement within the planning system and working in partnership with key decision makers. The Wildlife Trust is closely involved with the development of Regional planning. Influencing Policy Decisions The framework for planning decisions made today was laid down over the last 50 years. Documents such as Local Development Frameworks, Mineral and Waste Local Plans and Regional Spatial Strategies all influence development for many years ahead. Until now policy has not always been effective in conserving our natural heritage and as a result Nottinghamshire has a high record of biodiversity loss. Thankfully, planning authorities are increasingly recognising the need to safeguard what remains of our natural environment. Documents now include stipulations that emphasis “protection and enhancement” of wildlife and its habitats. However, the current system is very complex and lacks checks and balances. As a result the Wildlife Trust must remain vigilant to ensure policies are applied correctly and laws upheld. We are currently working on an exciting partnership project with Mansfield District Council to develop a Green Infrastructure Strategy to inform the preparation of their Local development Framework. This will hopefully ensure that biodiversity and important areas of green space for wildlife and people are protected and enhanced through the planning process. Preventing Immediate Threats Across the County we monitor planning applications for threats to wildlife habitats. With the help and assistance of our Local Groups and individual members we assess over 10,000 applications per year. Out of these we submit detailed responses to roughly 600 with positive results for wildlife secured in over 90 percent of cases. In addition to monitoring applications we offer advice to planners and developers on how to reduce the impact on wildlife and mitigate any unavoidable damage. Advice and Training Key decision makers call on the expertise of the Wildlife Trust to offer advice, support and training on their responsibilities and statutory duties regarding wildlife and green space. In addition, land owners, both public and private, request practical advice on how best to manage their land for the benefit of wildlife and the environment. Further Help If you require further assistance regarding individual concerns, there are several avenues available to help meet your needs. Please contact our conservation team for more information.
We campaign tirelessly for wildlife, protecting threatened habitats like wildflower meadows and rare species such as otters and water voles. We work to influence government policy and local decisions affecting the future of wildlife and the quality of our environment. We work to secure positive gains by linking, extending and restoring important habitats. The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust serves as the first line of defence for wild species and habitats in the County. No other organisation does more to ensure that fragile and threatened habitats are protected from insensitive and damaging development, and that key decision makers consider the needs of wildlife. The threats facing wildlife are ever increasing, particularly from development pressure and climate change.
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| The Wildlife Trusts | registered charity no. 224168R |
Protecting wildlife for the future |
