‘Countdown- a decade on’

2007 Conference

The fourth conference hosted by the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership (CrBP) took place on 24th February at Tatton Park. Attended by over 130 delegates the conference celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Cheshire region Biodiversity Action Plan. Written in 1997 the plan helps secure the future of over 50 species and 20 habitats considered vulnerable or declining nationally and in the region.

The conference was timed to coincide with the release of the UKBAP target review, which will be followed by a thorough review of our local plan. A series of presentations considering biodiversity conservation past, present and future proceeded a local produce lunch and a series of thought provoking workshops.

The conference was chaired by Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, Chris Mahon who gave an overview of local biodiversity action plan delivery followed by presentations covering the UKBAP targets review, barn owl conservation and the future of biodiversity conservation proposed by Anne Brenchley, Natural England. Ruth Needham, a guest speaker from the OnTrent Partnership also provided an inspiring insight into successful landscape scale conservation in the East Midlands.

The afternoon workshops provided an opportunity to explore some key successful projects in more detail from organisations such as Chester Zoo, The National Trust, Manchester Airport, Cheshire County Council and the RSPB. Around 60 delegates also enjoyed two guided walks around the Tatton Park grounds identifying winter birds and considering the use of Deer in managing large estates. Two new monitoring and recording systems were demonstrated. The Record Online Data Entry System (RODIS) allows anyone to submit species records quickly and easily whilst the Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) captures actions, threats and trends.

The conference marks the start of hopefully at least another ten years of successful conservation projects and partnership working in the county to help achieve our target of a ‘Cheshire region richer in Wildlife by 2020’.

The conference was free to delegates thanks to the generosity of CrBP members. A particular thank you goes to Awards for All, Chester Zoo, Forestry Commission, The Woodland Trust and Macclesfield Borough Council for their donations.