The Process of Action Planning

‘WILDthings’, the Biodiversity Action Plan Process for the Bath & North East Somerset area, is moving into its second phase. This will focus on the implementation of a series of species and habitat action plans designed to contribute to the 2010 Global Biodiversity Challenge.

This challenge is to halt the loss of biodiversity – a massive challenge that needs action at every level of society.

The background

WILDthings is the biodiversity action plan process for the Bath & North East Somerset area. This is a global process that began back in 1992 when over 150 heads of state, including the UK government, signed the Biodiversity Convention. This came about in response to global declines of biodiversity, and committed those who signed up to put plans in place to safeguard and protect the biodiversity of their territories. This has lead to the development of the 2010 Global Challenge to halt the loss of biodiversity. Within the UK the Biodiversity Convention has led to the production of National and Local biodiversity action plans and partnerships. The intention is to focus limited resources on those elements of our wildlife that are of greatest conservation concern, and to work together across all sectors of society efficiently, to both prevent and reverse national and local declines in biodiversity.

Phase one of WILDthings was launched back in November 2000 as part of this global process. The intentions were:

• to establish a working partnership for a local biodiversity action process
• to identify the most pressing issues affecting wildlife in the Bath & North East Somerset area
• to identify key species and habitats of greatest conservation concern – our Priority Species and Habitats
• to develop and launch flag-ship conservation projects and
• to identify a series of actions plans to help protect and safeguard key species and habitats.

This first phase is now complete, and it is time to focus activity on contributing WILDthings achievements:

Phase 1

• WILDthings partnership established
• Biodiversity issues identified through topic based action plans
• Website launched
• List of Priority Species and Habitats established
• Dormouse surveys
• Three Flagship projects launched – Batscapes; Wildspaces; Youth Web
• First tranche of Species and Habitat Action plans launched
• Designation of a series of Roadside Nature Reserves
• Great crested newt surveys
• Water vole and crayfish surveys

Compiling the list of Priority Species and Habitats in Bath & North East Somerset has been a key WILDthings achievement. These are key species and habitats of particular importance to the Bath & North East Somerset area. They are essential components of local biodiversity. All of the species on the list are either of international, national or local conservation concern. Our shortlist of Priority Species and Habitats is drawn from this list. Individual species and habitat action plans will be prepared for all shortlist species and habitats as resources allow.