Shropshire is valued for its beautiful countryside and wealth of wildlife by both residents and visitors. This precious 'biodiversity' is in great need of careful protection and constant management. The numbers of even once common species such as song thrushes and cowslips have declined dramatically over recent years. If our children are to have the same chances to enjoy the natural world as we have, we must take action to stop these declines and promote biodiversity.
The Shropshire Biodiversity Partnership (SBP) was formed to help coordinate conservation work and produce the Shropshire Biodiversity Action Plan. Nearly 170 individuals are currently involved, including representatives of 71 organisations such as the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Natural England, and the Forestry Commission, as well as Shropshire Council. New partners are actively encouraged to join.
In 1996, Shropshire became the first county in the country to produce a Biodiversity Strategy Biodiversity Challenge: An Agenda for Conservation in the UK – The Shropshire response. Five years later the Shropshire Biodiversity Action Plan was devised. This has provided the framework for action to protect the wild habitats and species that together make up Shropshire’s rich and diverse landscape.
Launched in 2002, the Shropshire Biodiversity Action Plan (SBAP) provided a detailed outline of the work necessary for the conservation of 34 species and 15 habitats. The plan was updated in 2005/6, and is now updated on a rolling basis, keeping pace with the changing face of biodiversity conservation, both locally and nationally.
Rrecent publications, such as the 'Making Space for Nature' report and the Natural Environment White Paper called for broad changes in the way biodiversity conservation is delivered in the UK.The SBP is looking to restructure and revise the SBAP to reflect this new approach. It is anticipated that a new plan will be available before the end of the 2011/12 financial year.
Natural Shropshire, the website of the Shropshire Biodiversity Partnership, holds the current SBAP and also gives further information on BAP habitats and species, and on the work of SBP. The Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) is the online reporting system for the SBAP, and provides progress reports for specific actions and targets. It also gives an up to date picture of what has been achieved.
Links to all these websites are provided on this page.
If you require a printed copy of the Shropshire BAP, please contact us for more details.