ESSEX BIODIVERSITY PROJECT –

Would you like to see your local village green managed to benefit wildflowers, help to restore an old traditional orchard to health or get the village pond cleared to benefit great crested newts? If so, perhaps Essex Biodiversity project can help.

Essex Biodiversity Project (EBP) aims to protect key species and habitats throughout the county by taking positive action. We are a partnership of more than 40 organisations working together to protect, conserve and enhance the variety of wildlife species and habitats in Essex. This is achieved through the implementation of the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). The Essex BAP lists 28 key species and 15 habitats special to Essex including dormice, bats, oxlips, black poplars, great crested newts, old orchards, ancient woodlands, brownfield sites, and lowland grassland. The full list can be seen on our website www.essexbiodiversity.org.uk.

Partners of the Project include local authorities, parish councils, statutory authorities and other conservation organisations. This means we can draw on the expertise and resources of a wide variety of organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Essex Field Club, the RSPB, East of England Apples and Orchards Project, Essex Bat Group and the National Trust.

EBP has an active and comprehensive programme including research, awareness raising and support for community wildlife projects based on BAP species and habitats throughout Essex. We can provide practical assistance, funding and guidance in improving habitats and conserving important species. Some of our recent work includes:

Provision of funding and management guidance for Southminster old orchard volunteer group in Maldon and the creation of more than 20 school orchards across the county. Support for Galleywood Parish Council in their successful bid for a £25 k grant to enhance and manage village sites in a wildlife-friendly way. Provision of financial and technical support for Gt. Bardfield Parish Council in their project to re-introduce oxlips to sites where they had once flourished. Provision of advice, funding and practical assistance in removing silt and clearing overhanging vegetation from Feering Community Centre pond in Braintree and Sweetings Meadow in Uttlesford district.

In 2007, we are excited to be starting some new projects which include important wet grassland restoration work at Witham, working with the Town Council and the Environment Agency, and reedbed restoration at Marshgate Spring Local Nature reserve working with Harlow Council.

Essex Biodiversity Project depends on local knowledge to identify suitable projects to support. Funding often becomes available at short notice so if we have projects ‘on the shelf’ and ready to submit, we can more easily help local groups apply for funding and thus to maintain and enhance biodiversity within their parish. We are also keen to identify the locations of important BAP habitats in Braintree district. In particular, we are interested to know about areas of lowland grassland, small areas of ancient woodland, woodland pasture, old orchards, veteran trees and brownfield sites.

Please help Essex wildlife by sharing your valuable local knowledge with us and perhaps developing a wildlife project for your parish!

Contact: Essex Biodiversity Project, Abbotts Hall Farm, Gt. Wigborough, Colchester, CO5 8NU. Genevieve Broad Coordinator email: genevieveb@essexwt.org.uk, tel: 01621 862981. Mark Iley Project Officer email marki@essexwt.org.uk, tel: 01621 862975.