News and events

Biodiversity News Issue 44 Winter edition (998 KB) has just been published. Includes news on regional and national biodiversity projects plus features on reedbeds, orchards, veteran trees and much more... See page 16 for article on Suffolk's Little Ouse Headwaters Project.
 
'Rich crops and more from ancient orchards'
EADT 12 Jan 2009
A survey of Suffolk's old and traditional orchards is due to start early in 2009. There may be around 1,000 left from the 6,000 in existence during the 1920s and the survey aims to map these before leading into a larger project to restore some of our wonderful old orchards. Partners include Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and independent consultant Paul Read. View the East Anglian Daily Times article here (PDF 1MB). We are looking for volunteer surveyors (training provided), so if you're interested please contact Gen Broad on 01473 264308, email gen.broad@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk

4th Annual Planning and Biodiversity Seminar
11 September 2008

The annual seminar on Planning and Biodiversity was a great success with more than 50 participants representing the majority of Norfolk and Suffolk Local Authorities, the Biological Record Centres, conservation organisations and statutory authorities such as the Environment Agency.

The aims of the seminar were to provide an overview of the latest national developments and best practice for incorporating biodiversity into planning including the 1 App standard application form and the new validation process.

Presentations were given with enthusiasm and sparkle, entertaining and challenging the audience. We learnt about the new ALGE Biodiversity Planning Toolkit and the role of Natural England with regard to Protected Species and Development Control.

The two biological record centres demonstrated how fundamental their services are to the development control process and the two Wildlife Trusts explained their role in the planning process.

Lessons were shared from the recent introduction of the 1 App process and the Validation Checklist to Suffolk and we heard about the innovative and successful move by Mid-Bedfordshire Council to introduce a Green Roof tax.

To read summaries of the presentations and access all the links for events, planning portals and more, download the proceedings here (PDF 209 Kb). 
 

Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership Newsletters

The Partnership now has a regular newsletter highlighting the biodiversity work of partners and providing information about grants, conferences, project opportunities and events. The newsletter contents are shown under the title, click on the title itself to see the full newsletter. The next newsletter is due at the end of April 2009.

February 2009 (281 Kb)
Floating pennywort on the River Waveney, Suffolk County Council's roadside nature reserve cut and collect scheme, Landseer Park (Ipswich) update, A Living Landscape for Suffolk's dormice, Water Framework Directive consultation, butterfly survey, Suffolk crayfish 'ark' project, tree sparrows, RSPB reserve mammals, planning update, Focus on Local Authorities plus biodiversity information, What's On and SPB update.

December 2008 (PDF 365 Kb)
Stag beetle dispersal, Otters & stillwater fisheries guidance, Heathland restoration at Tiger Hill LNR, Wet woodland in the Waveney valley, Beachwatch in Suffolk, From landfill to larks Ipswich Borough rangers, Is pillwort losing the fight at Lound?, Suffolk hedgerow survey, Planning update, focus on Habitat Working Groups, information, What's on, SBP information.

September 2008 (PDF 356 Kb)
Bats at Ickworth Park, The Deer Initiative, Suffolk Traditional Orchard survey, Stag beetles, Lound Lakes reserve, Barnby Broad restoration.

July 2008 (PDF 165 Kb)
Silver-studded blue butterfly re-introduction at Blaxhall Common, News from Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley, Hunting for the Scarlet malachite beetle in Suffolk, Elveden Estate and Natural England partnership, Suffolk hedgerow survey, Underground electricity lines at Blythburgh marshes, Corton Woods project award, Ponds and great crested newts.

June 2008 (PDF 152 Kb)
Elveden Center Parcs and Biodiversity Benchmark Award, River Stour eel and fish pass, 2008 East Anglian marine mammal leaflet.

Marine mammals
In May 2008, Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership joined forces with the Norfolk Partnership and Essex Biodiversity Project (EBP) to launch a regional survey of our East Anglian marine mammals. This continues the work of the successful Essex project which has run for several years. Further information about previous survey results can be found on the EBP website.

To find out which marine mammals may be seen off the Suffolk coast, download the 2008 leaflet  here (PDF 264 Kb).