Partners
The following organisations are partners of Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group.
Click on the link below for more details of the organisation:
Country Landowners Association
Groundwork Ashfield and Mansfield
Groundwork Newark and Sherwood
Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre
Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottinghamshire Federation of Womens’ Institutes
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Sherwood Forest Community Rangers
Ashfield District Council
Bassetlaw District Council
Bestwood Country Park
Bestwood Country Park, managed by Nottinghamshire County Council and is located on the northern fringe of Nottingham has an incredible variety of different wildlife habitats. From Mill Lakes, teeming with water birds, to meadows full of wildflowers, from ancient oak woodland to a reclaimed pit tip the 700 acres covered by the park has a landscape which reflects the varied history of Nottinghamshire itself. The park has many miles of footpaths to enjoy, some of the best bird watching in the county, and the Rangers lead a programme of fun and educational events throughout the year.
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/countryparks/bestwoodcp.htm
Birklands Ringing Group
British Waterways (East Midlands)
British Waterways is a public corporation, with a government remit to promote and accommodate conservation and regeneration, maintain and enhance leisure, recreation, tourism and educational opportunities for the general public, and facilitate waterway transport. BW works in partnership with other organisations to conserve the waterways' heritage and environment, and maximise the quality of the waterways and the surrounding amenities, as well as working towards our own Biodiversity Action Plan for each waterway. BW is national lead partner for two aquatic plant species: Grass-wrack pondweed and Floating water-plantain. While there are no records for these on BW waterways in Nottinghamshire, we welcome contact from other organisations regarding conservation and management of these species, and can draw on expertise elsewhere in the country. In Nottinghamshire, British Waterways manages the Grantham, Erewash, Notts-Beeston and Chesterfield canals, and is the navigation authority for the Rivers Trent and Soar.
Broxtowe Borough Council
BTCV
BTCV is the UK’s leading practical conservation charity. BTCV connects people with place, builds healthy, sustainable communities, and increases people’s life skills. It aims to create a better environment where people from all cultures feel valued, included and involved. BTCV supports 140,000 volunteers a year taking hands-on action to improve their urban and rural environments and a Community Network supports local groups. BTCV offers regular conservation tasks, UK and International conservation holidays, the BTCV Green Gym®, training opportunities and an on-line shop making products and services available to all.
For information on how to volunteer with BTCV or to find out how your group could benefit from the BTCV Community Network, please call us on: (0115) 931 3316 or visit our web site.
nottinghamshire@btcv.org.uk
www.btcv.org
Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly Conservation is a British charity devoted to saving butterflies, moths and their habitats. We now have over 30 regional branches covering the whole of the UK, which carry out the vital local conservation tasks. The branches are backed by a central organisation responsible for co-ordination, fund-raising, research and national policy matters. We have offices in England, Scotland and Wales from which staff operate to help stimulate and guide local and national action. Butterfly Conservation's purpose is to secure a lasting future for all native butterflies, moths and their habitats within the UK. Our ultimate goal is to help restore a balanced countryside with butterflies and other wildlife restored to the profusion that they, and we, once enjoyed.
www.butterfly-conservation.org
Center Parcs
Country Landowners Association
The CLA was founded almost one hundred years ago to protect the interests of owners of rural land in England and Wales. Today, our membership encompasses the full diversity of land, property and business and it is this experience and expertise which enables us to fight hard for a thriving rural economy.
DEFRA
DEFRA, The Government Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, works for the essentials of life - water, food, air, land, people, animals and plants.
Environment Agency
A better place for you. We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place - for you, and for future generations.
Contact us:
Enquiries: 08708 506 506
Enquiries: (non-UK calls): 00 44 1709 389 201
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Incident hotline: 0800 807060
Forest Enterprise
Forest Enterprise was the agency set up in 1996 to manage the nation’s forest estate. It ceased to exist as a single agency on March 31 2003 and three new agencies were created – one each for England, Scotland and Wales. These three agencies work as part of the Forestry Commission in each of the countries to manage more than 1,000,000 hectares of public land, of which around 800,000 hectares are forest and woodland.
Friends of Moor Pond Wood
FWAG
Nottinghamshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) has many years of experience in delivering conservation and environmental advice to Nottinghamshire farmers. Nottinghamshire FWAG is part of a national charitable organisation; the county group is managed by a steering committee of local farmers and conservation organisations. The group employs a full time Farm Conservation Adviser.
FWAG exists to provide farmers, landowners and our other clients with the best opportunity for environmental gain through cost effective, quality solutions. FWAG provides farmers and landowners with practical advice on making adjustments to farm operations and enhancing farm features in order to support wildlife, landscape, archaeology, access and other conservation issues.
Gedling Borough Council
Greenwood Community Forest
Greenwood is Nottinghamshire’s Community Forest, and with a working partnership is transforming the local landscape to make it a greener and healthier place to be - creating green spaces around towns for recreation and sport, providing new habitats for wildlife, making outdoor classrooms for environmental education and much more on the doorsteps of over a million people living in and around the towns of Nottinghamshire.
One of twelve Community Forests in England, Greenwood Community Forest is creating a multi-purpose forest consisting of woodland, farmland, open spaces and settlements in Nottinghamshire. Specific aims of the organisation include:
- Increasing woodland cover
- Conserving and enhancing biodiversity
- Increasing and improving access to the countryside for recreation and commuting
- Increasing community involvement through participation, education and activities
Greenwood covers 161 square miles of west Nottinghamshire from Mansfield in the north to Nottingham in the south and from Eastwood in the west to Farnsfield in the east. It joins historic Sherwood Forest in the Northeast and curves round to Attenborough in the southwest.
There are many opportunities for volunteering in Greenwood, Nottinghamshire’s Community Forest. Visit our website at www.greenwoodforest.org.uk/volunteeringopportunities, or request a Friends of Greenwood Directory of Volunteering Opportunities for further information.
Funding is available for community tree planting events from September to February each year. If you are a community group with an idea for a project please contact us and we will try to help with funding if possible. The newly published Community Woodland Handbook is a great resource for groups who are, or want to be involved in woodlands and green spaces.
Telephone: 01623 827322
E.Mail: greenwood@nottscc.gov.uk
Website: www.greenwoodforest.org.uk
Groundwork Ashfield and Mansfield
Groundwork is a leading environmental regeneration charity making sustainable development a reality in communities in the UK which are in need of investment and support.
Groundwork Creswell
Groundwork is a leading environmental regeneration charity making sustainable development a reality in communities in the UK which are in need of investment and support.
Groundwork Greater Nottingham
Groundwork is a leading environmental regeneration charity making sustainable development a reality in communities in the UK which are in need of investment and support.
Groundwork Newark and Sherwood
Groundwork is a leading environmental regeneration charity making sustainable development a reality in communities in the UK which are in need of investment and support.
Mansfield District Council
Mansfield has a wealth of open spaces, being responsible for 9 Local Nature Reserves, 2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 14 parks, a number of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and many other areas of open space important for biodiversity. Mansfield District Council is a key partner in the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group. The partnership provides Mansfield the opportunity to work together with key organisations to help protect and enhance wildlife in Mansfield District through awareness raising, reporting and managing of habitats and species.
www.mansfield.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=748
National Biodiversity Network
The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) is a project to build the UK's first network of biodiversity information. It is a new and innovative way of sharing wildlife information in the UK and is building tools to make this information accessible in a digitised and exchangeable form. By providing easy access to the information people need about wildlife, wise and informed decisions can be made to ensure our natural environment is diverse, rich and sustainable now and for future generations.
The NBN Gateway is a website that aims to simplify the job of sharing and using this information. This site allows you to view distribution maps and download UK wildlife data by using a variety of interactive tools.
National Farmers Union
The National Farmers' Union represents the farmers and growers of England and Wales. Its central objective is to promote successful and socially responsible agriculture and horticulture, while ensuring the long term viability of rural communities. We have been at the forefront of farming and rural issues for nearly one hundred years. We are not affiliated to any political party and have a completely democratic structure. The NFU is the largest farming organisation in the UK, representing around three quarters of the full time commercial farmers of England and Wales.
National Trust
The National Trust is a registered charity that cares for over 248,000 hectares (612,000 acres) of beautiful countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus almost 600 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings and gardens of outstanding interest and importance. Most of these properties are held in perpetuity and so their future protection is secure. The vast majority are open to visitors and we are constantly looking at ways in which we can improve public access and on-site facilities.
Natural England
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas.
Natural England's objective is to conserve and enhance England’s natural environment - including the landscape, biodiversity, geology and soils, natural resources, cultural heritage and other features of the built and natural environment.
Many areas of England are protected in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other designated areas, and the condition of our very best wildlife sites is slowly improving. However, many of our landscapes are continuing to lose their ecological richness and their distinctive character.
The natural environment is a provider of a wide range of environmental services, including clean water and air, healthy food, recreation and inspiration. However, in many areas the natural environment is in poor condition, reducing the quality of these environmental services.
Ensuring that future generations can enjoy England’s rich geology, landscapes and biodiversity means that we must significantly improve the protection and management of what we have today. Improving the condition of the natural environment is required to ensure that everyone benefits from the services it provides.
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Naturescape
Naturescape wild flower farm produces numerous native species of wildflowers and grasses, seed collections, meadows, lawns, climbers, wild rose plants, shrubs, trees, hedge plants, pond, marsh, bulbs, corms and more. Visit the farm to view the plants and the many forms of wildlife they attract or order plants & seeds year round through the website:
Newark and Sherwood DC
North Notts Bat Group
The main aim of the North Notts Bat group is to promote a better understanding of bats by the public. The group is very active in North Nottinghamshire. During the year we assist roost owners with 'batty' problems, conduct guided bat walks, give illustrated talks to numerous groups and associations, attend shows and exhibitions as well as interact with other bat groups neighbouring our county.
North Notts Ringing Group
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham City Council is an all-purpose unitary authority providing all local government services within the City of Nottingham administrative district and working with other organisations to make
Nottingham a better place in which to live, work, visit and invest.
We are responsible for and manage many varied areas of greenspace from heathland to river corridors. Our Nature Conservation Team can provide advice about managing habitats for biodiversity, and opportunities for volunteering. Advice about biodiversity and development is provided by the Council's planning section.
Nottingham Trent University
Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre
In order to make decisions about biodiversity action, information is needed about the flora, fauna and habitats. This type of information is held in record centres throughout the UK. Nottinghamshire's datasets are kept at the Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Record Centre at Wollaton Hall. Visit their web site to find out more.
Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers
Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers began life as the Trent Valley Birdwatchers in 1935 and evolved into the ornothological society for Nottinghamshire, changing its name in the 1970s to reflect the county-wide nature of its activities. Its Recorder acts as the repository of bird records for the county and produces both monthly summaries in the society newsletter, and an annual review of the birds recorded each year. The latter is published in the Annual Report of the society, which appears towards the end of each subsequent year. Although many members of ‘Notts Birders’ are primarily interested in individual birdwatching, indoor meetings and field trips (both local and further afield) are held for the more socially inclined. Members also participate in national and regional surveys, and, in association with the British Trust for Ornithology, are currently undertaking a massive exercise to map the distribution and abundance of Nottinghamshire’s breeding and wintering birds. The long term aim is to produce a new county avifauna, probably in about 2012.
Nottinghamshire County Council
Looking after Nottinghamshire’s environment and working to protect it for future generations is a key commitment for the County Council. The maintenance and improvement of our countryside is an important feature of the work we do, which ranges from designing large restoration schemes to commenting on the nature conservation impacts of planning applications. We were instrumental in setting up the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group; we remain an active member of the group and have formally adopted the plan, using it as the basis for our nature conservation work.
Nottinghamshire Federation of Womens’ Institutes
As a voluntary organisation of around 4500 members located mostly in rural areas, the Women’s Institute in Nottinghamshire can play an important role in providing information about the current state of the countryside and its wildlife. Our main role is in raising awareness about issues of current concern and encouraging our membership to participate in suitable activities. A unique feature of the Womens’ Institute is the resolution process: any concerns a WI member may have can be formulated into a resolution and, once passed by the AGM of the National Federation of Women's Institutes will provide a mandate for action. This is an effective way of turning concerns (often of an individual) into effective campaigns (supported by 200,000 WI members) and allowing WI members to raise awareness and support similar causes of other organisations.
In2005, one of the resolutions concerns reducing waste and conserving resources in support of sustainability, but in the past there have been many others related to conservation. One of the very
early WI resolutions in 1921 was to support the principles of the Plumage Bill. It was hoped that not only would this stop birds being killed for fashion accessories but it would also counteract the effect that wholesale slaughter of such birds would have on the ecosystem generally. The WI was involved in supporting biodiversity from its very start!
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
The mission of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is to conserve and enhance the county’s wildlife and habitats for future generations.
We are the County’s largest environmental charity, run by local people for the benefit of local wildlife and we now have over 8,000 members. We are also a member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts which has over 530,000 members across the UK.
One of our key roles is in influencing government policy and decision making regarding species protection and their habitats but we also take a hands on approach to wildlife conservation and now manage over 60 nature reserves across Nottinghamshire. In addition to managing our own land we liaise with farmers and other landowners, sharing our expertise and providing advice about how to protect and encourage wildlife.
In order to protect wildlife it is crucial to have up to date knowledge of what wildlife we have and where it lives. As a result, the Wildlife Trust takes an active role in surveying and recording wildlife at sites across the County. The Wildlife Trust is also dedicated to raising awareness about the environment and sustainable development so that everyone can play a role in making the county a better place to live for both people and wildlife. We also work with schools and other groups to inspire appreciation of the wonder and complexity of the natural world, bringing them closer to their natural environment whilst provoking a sense of ownership and desire to protect it.
As a voluntary organisation the efforts of volunteers are key to our success and there are many ways in which people can get involved ranging from office based administration to practical work on nature reserves. We also have a network of active Local Members’ Groups who help to co-ordinate volunteer efforts around the County. Local activities include walks, talks, fundraising events and monitoring local sites to ensure that wildlife habitats are not damaged or destroyed.
For further details about the work of the Wildlife Trust and how you can help us do more to protect wildlife in your area call 0115 958 8242 or visit our web site.
www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/nottinghamshire
On Trent
The OnTrent Initiative is a partnership project involving a wide range of public, voluntary and commercial organisations. The project is working to secure a sustainable balance between the natural and historic heritage, agriculture, commercial activity and development along the River Trent. The OnTrent Initiative encourages everyone who's work, business or enjoyment relies on or influences the Trent to get involved.
RSPB
The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife, helping to create a better world for us all.
Rufford Country Park
Located near Ollerton, on the edge of historic Sherwood Forest, this 150 acre park is one of Nottinghamshire’s most popular visitor attractions. At the heart of the park are the picturesque remains of a 12th century Cistercian monastery and later country house. Around them lie gardens, meadow and woodland. Around 650,000 visits to the park are made to Rufford Park each year, by local people, school groups, tourists, coach parties and community groups. We welcome involvement by local people and visitors who want to get involved in the work of the park. Why not find out more about volunteering? Helpers at park events are always welcome.
Ring the Ranger team for a chat:
Tel: 01623 822944 ext 222/223 or
E-mail: john.clegg@nottscc.gov.uk
See Nottinghamshire County Council’s website for more information:
Rushcliffe Barn Owl Project
The Rushcliffe Barn Owl Project aims to conserve and increase the population of barn owls in Rushcliffe by:
- Discovering the size and distribution of the existing population.
- Increasing awareness of the needs of the barn owl through advice.
- Encouraging sympathetic management of feeding and breeding habitats.
- Providing artificial breeding sites in suitable locations.
Rushcliffe Borough Council
Nature conservation has been identified as a priority for Rushcliffe residents.
Examples of ongoing projects in Rushcliffe include:
- Nature Conservation Strategy
- Rushcliffe Barn Owl Project
- Rushcliffe Pond Survey
For more see Rushcliffe Borough Council’s nature conservation pages.
Rushcliffe Country Park
Set in the beautiful south Nottinghamshire countryside - about half a mile south of Ruddington - Rushcliffe Country Park is an ideal place to get away from it all. With a network of over 8 kilometres of footpaths, grassland, conservation and landscaped areas, the park is excellent for walking, jogging, cycling, spotting wildlife and exercising your dog. Rushcliffe Country Park is built on the site of a former Ministry of Defence Depot which was used for storing decommissioned weapons. The design and reclamation of the present site was completed by Nottinghamshire County Council in 1993, since when the park has been managed by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Severn Trent Water
At Severn Trent Water we are committed to protecting and improving the environment in everything we do. A key plank in our environmental policy is the protection of our native wildlife and habitats. As a significant landowner, Severn Trent Water introduced a Biodiversity Action Plan in 1999, which sets out our plans and strategy for protecting the natural environment. We work in partnership with many environmental organisations, such as the RSPB, English Nature and the local Wildlife Trusts, to ensure that we preserve and improve the environment both for today and for the future.
Sherwood Forest Trust
Sherwood Forest is known throughout the world as the home of legends. Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest are an essential part of our national heritage and the name conjures visions of mighty oaks and wild forest glades for millions of people throughout the world. The Sherwood Forest Trust is co-ordinating a programme of restoration of large areas of characteristic Sherwood Forest habitats and landscapes whilst improving public appreciation, understanding and involvement. For more information, see our web site.
Sherwood Forest Community Rangers
Sherwood Forest Community Rangers work with local people to increase understanding of the Forest’s important natural and cultural heritage and enable their active involvement in caring for their countryside to enhance their sense of pride and ownership.
Sherwood Forest Country Park
Sherwood Forest Country Park welcomes around 500,000 visitors each year, ranging from local residents to overseas tourists, from special needs groups to school outings. We welcome volunteers prepared to help out with the work of the park, for example, by helping as a marshall at seasonal events, or lending a hand with litter picking. Please contact the Rangers for more details:
Tel: 01623 823202 or
E-mail: sherwood.forest@nottscc.gov.uk
See Nottinghamshire County Council’s website for more information.
South Notts Bat Group
The South Notts Bat Group, together with the North Notts Bat Group, are dedicated to the conservation of Nottinghamshire's bats. The work of the group is wide ranging and includes recording bat distribution, surveying roost sites, giving talks on bat conservation, organising batwalks, caring for injured bats and arranging training for members of the group to work towards their roost visitor’s licence.
Bats are one of the most misunderstood groups of animals on the planet and are often treated with fear and superstition. It is hoped that through the work of the South Notts Bat Group people are able to learn more about this fascinating group of creatures and appreciate their nature conservation value.
South Notts Ringing Group
Sustainable Agronomy
Sustrans
Trent Rivers Trust
The Trent Rivers Trust aims to protect the environment and diversity of the River Trent and its tributaries and to encourage any improvement in the same by action and research.
To date we have devoted our efforts to one major project, which is to establish a self-sustaining population of Atlantic Salmon to the River Trent and its tributaries. This is to be achieved by stocking the river in various and appropriate locations with any juvenile stage as is deemed appropriate for the time and location. To find ways of getting fish passage over or around obstructions by the construction of fish passes or installing fish ladders. A qualification on the installation of fish ladders is that they should, wherever possible, be appropriate for the use of as many species as possible.