Introduction
What is the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership?
Established in 1997, the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership or CrBP brings together over forty organisations, groups and individuals to work collectively towards a common vision of ‘a Cheshire region richer in Wildlife by 2020’. The members of the CrBP are listed in the Partners section. Members of the partnership contribute voluntary time and funding to forward biodiversity actions, research, wildlife recording and practical conservation works to help safeguard the future of the Cheshire region’s wildlife.
What does the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership do?
The partnership, made up of statutory and non-statutory organisations, work alongside businesses, community groups, local experts and wildlife enthusiasts to deliver the Cheshire region Biodiversity Action Plan (CrBP). A Terms of Reference has been drafted to outline the roles within the Partnership. Members of the CrBP meet regularly to share best practice and to initiate, fund and deliver conservation projects. Written in 1997 the CrBP currently contains 73 action plans for our most vulnerable species and habitats.
How does the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership make a difference?
The Cheshire region Biodiversity Manager works on behalf of the partnership to coordinate and promote delivery of biodiversity actions through the Business Plan and Communications Plan and Biodiversity Action Groups. The detailed delivery of the plans is set out in the Delivery Matrix. The plans are structured to deliver seven Core Services set by DEFRA. Selected members of the CrBP form a Steering Group who meet quarterly to monitor progress towards achieving biodiversity action plan targets against each of the core services.
The CrBP is tasked with delivering these Core Services:
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Establishing and maintaining a broad partnership
To establishing and maintain a broad biodiversity partnership by engaging all relevant sectors. As far as possible, ensure that all relevant sectors are engaged in the local biodiversity partnership.
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Delivering Biodiversity Action Plan regionally / locally
To deliver local biodiversity objectives with SMART targets for habitats and species, taking into account national and regional BAP targets and linking with social and economic themes. To work with the partnership to agree a range of projects to deliver the regional biodiversity objectives and targets.
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Fundraising for BAP delivery
To develop and implement the fund-raising strategy for BAP delivery, for national and local sources of external funding in support of projects and to sustain the funding for the Local biodiversity service in the long term. To maintain an overview of LBAP funding within the Greater Manchester area and work with other sub-regions and regionally on collaborative funding bids.
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Reporting and monitoring
To report and monitor progress through using the Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) for the implementation and delivery of actions initiated regionally.
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Integrating BAP into policy (local or regional)
To integrate biodiversity objectives into relevant sub-regional policies, programmes and strategies. Proactively support local authorities so they are better able to deliver biodiversity locally and promote the inclusion of biodiversity into Community Strategies and other local plans.
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Promoting BAP
To promote BAP locally through developing a communications plan with partners to raise awareness in support of biodiversity. Working to increase engagement of local businesses and communities in the BAP process.
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Representation
To work with partners at regional and national levels of the BAP process. Ensuring the LBAP partnership is represented on the regional biodiversity forum and other relevant regional and national meetings.
What are Biodiversity Action Groups?
Members of the partnership also join forces with species and habitat experts to form Biodiversity Action Groups. Action groups meet regularly to share best practice and monitor progress towards targets for specific species and/or habitats. Action groups often coordinate volunteer effort and initiate their own survey work and some groups raise funding for projects. Anyone can join or form an action group- look for details on the relevant species or habitat action plan.
How can I contact the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership?
For general enquiries we can be contacted via the Cheshire region Biodiversity Manager on 01948 820 728 or email [email protected].
For specific enquiries regarding a particular habitat or species you will find the contact details of local and national experts and representatives at the end of each action plan.
To contact a partner organisation please use the details on the relevant page in the Partners section.