Biodiversity partnership

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) addresses biodiversity decline at the international level. It was signed by 150 nations at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, with each signatory pledging to conserve biodiversity.

In line with the requirements of the Convention, the UK prepared a national Biodiversity Action Plan in 1994 (the UK BAP), which has been followed up by various subsequent publications. Following on from the CBD, the European Union set itself the ambitious target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 in 2001. A subsequent EC meeting in 2004 agreed priorities, targets and implementation arrangements to meet the 2010 goal. Under the UK BAP,a detailed biodiversity action planning process has been developed, and 65 habitats and 1149 species have been listed as priorities for conservation action - more information can be found at www.ukbap.org.uk. In order to help implement the UKBAP, as well as deliver actions for biodiversity features of local importance, the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) process has been developed across the country.

The Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group

In Nottinghamshire, the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) partnership, known as the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group (the ‘Notts BAG’), encompasses over 50 diverse organisations. Production of the LBAP involved collaboration between a wide range of local and national organisations, and a public consultation. Published in 1998, it was one of the first LBAPs to be completed, and has been adopted by all Local Authorities operating in Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire County Council itself played an instrumental role in setting up the LBAP, and continues to be a key partner, hosting the Biodiversity Officer, who co-ordinates the work of the partnership. The LBAP provides a framework for work on nature conservation in the county, identifying priorities and setting targets in order to measure progress. It contains lists of habitats and species of conservation concern, along with targeted action plans – Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) and Species Action Plans (SAPs). Partners have a series of agreed responsibilities under each action plan, as well as under the generic actions for biodiversity. The LBAP is updated and added to as implementation progresses and knowledge improves, and all HAPs and SAPs, as well as other information, can be found on the Notts BAG website at www.nottsbag.org.uk.