Biodiversity Projects
Public Awareness
Purpose
To increase understanding of biodiversity and the need to take action to conserve it.
Education and Awareness:
Action
11. Increase general understanding of biodiversity through the production of information materials.
11.1 Explain the value of biodiversity to everyone
Background
The long term future of biodiversity depends on ordinary people valuing it and taking action to conserve it. This will only happen if there is a good understanding of biodiversity within the community. This project is intended to raise the level of understanding using a variety of media.
Action
- The BAP will provide a core of information about biodiversity in the borough. This will be published in paper format and on the council's website making it accessible to a wide audience
- Produce articles for Fareham Today and other publications
- Produce information leaflets featuring different aspects of the borough's biodiversity.
- Integrate biodiversity into the Countryside Ranger Service's programme of walks and talks.
- Organise an event based around Fareham's biodiversity
Timescale
- The draft BAP is being put onto the website as it is developed
- Walks and talks - the programme for 2004 will be compiled in autumn 2003
- Produce an article on Wildlife Friendly Gardening in the Spring 2004 edition of Fareham Today
- Organise a biodiversity day in May/June 2004 (Whit holiday)
Wildlife Friendly Gardening
Purpose
To achieve improvements for urban wildlife and enable a wide range of people to participate in biodiversity action.
Community Involvement:
Action
9. Encourage the community to become actively involved in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in the borough.
Background
Gardens are the places where people are most likely to encounter wildlife. They are also the most convenient location for the majority of people to take action. Unfortunately many garden practices, in particular the use of herbicides and pesticides, are damaging to wildlife. This project will introduce people to wildlife friendly gardening practices and encourage them to adopt these practices in their gardens. Linking the project to Fareham in Bloom will provide a means of raising awareness of the importance of wildlife friendly gardening and of highlighting the achievements of participants.
Action
- Establish a wildlife friendly gardening category in the Fareham in Bloom competition.
- Produce information leaflets on beneficial gardening practices.
- Produce identification charts for wildlife likely to be found in gardens.
- Establish a demonstration garden.
- Include an article in Fareham Today; An introduction to Wildlife Gardening.
Timescale
- 2004 - establish Fareham in Bloom category
- Winter 2003/2004 - best practice gardening advice and identification leaflets
- 2004 - Demonstration garden, to run in conjunction with Fareham in Bloom.
Community Hedgerow Survey
Purpose
To increase knowledge of the extent, variety and condition of hedgerows in the borough.
Community Involvement:
Action
9. Encourage the community to become actively involved in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in the borough.
9.2 Organising community surveys of individual species and local habitats.
Background
Hedgerows are an important feature of the landscape of the borough. They are also important features for biodiversity with ancient hedges in particular supporting a wide range of plants and animals. In some intensive agricultural or urban areas they may be the only refuge for wildlife.
Management of hedgerows can be critical in determining the level of wildlife they are able to support. Unfortunately some modern hedgerow management practices can damage the wildlife value of hedges. Often, the hedges are cut too frequently or at the wrong time of year removing cover for nesting birds and preventing the production of fruits. Similarly a lack of management can allow a hedge to become overgrown and gappy again reducing its wildlife value.
A first step towards improving the management of hedges is to find out where hedges are located and what condition they are in.
Action
- Produce an information leaflet about hedges
- Produce a simple survey card
- Enlist the support of interested groups and individuals
- Undertake a survey
Timescale
2004
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