Documents relating to Biodiversity in England are available here as downloadable html, or as PDF files which require a free Acrobat reader. Others have been archived to minimise download times and may be unzipped using WinZip.


Other documents have to be purchased and the details are available including ISBN codes and addresses to write to.



Refreshing the Biodiversity Partnership in England - Notes of a workshop held on 1 March 2007
This is a note of a workshop chaired by Barry Gardiner, Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs on 1 March 2007 with the objectives of (1) exploring the ecosystem approach as the guiding principle for future action planning, to help place site and species conservation in a more dynamic context to meet challenges including climate change and (2) streamlining the bureaucracy surrounding the BAP in England.



Wildlife Attraction: Visitor Expenditure Model
Attractions designed to protect our wildlife and enable people to learn about and enjoy UK biodiversity, are increasingly being asked to estimate the contribution that they are making to their local communities. The difficulty, however, is that in order to justify public sector support and/or protection from alternative land uses, this contribution is often required to be expressed in monetary terms. The most tangible monetary activity stimulated by wildlife is its role in encouraging visitors – both holidaymakers and day-trippers – into a locality to spend time and money. The extent to which a wildlife attraction can claim to have stimulated visitor expenditure in a locality depends on the type(s) of visitor and the characteristics of the attraction. Moreover, the extent to which this expenditure then remains within, and circulates around, a local economy depends on the characteristics of the local economy in question. Estimating the economic impact of visitors can be a costly exercise, involving extensive visitor surveys and trained economic expertise.

The 'Wildlife Attraction: Visitor Expenditure Model' however provides a tool for estimating the economic impact generated by tourists visiting a given attraction. It is not a substitute for the detailed survey work and economic analysis described above, but does provide a starting point or benchmark for estimating the impact of visitors to wildlife attractions.

A User Guide explains the principles of the model and how it should be used. It also provides guidance for improving the robustness of information fed into the model, through, for example effective design of visitor surveys and interpretation of the subsequent results. A further paper sets out the core assumptions that underpin the model.

The economic impacts that the model seeks to estimate are only one of the many benefits that wildlife sites bring to both residents and the population of the UK. Sites also provide protection for certain species, a basis for learning and education, support social groups and are a source of enjoyment for visitors. It is important that the significance of these roles is also given consideration, and that the economic impacts are not seen as the only measure of benefit. The model is intended to assist in calculating the net difference that the sites make specifically to visitor expenditure.

Disclaimer
This model provides a tool for estimating the economic impact generated by tourists visiting a given wildlife attraction. It is not a substitute for detailed survey work and economic analysis. None of the contributors, sponsors, administrators, or anyone else connected with this model can be responsible for, or credited with, the information and results generated by the model.

Wildlife Attraction: Visitor Expenditure Model
Format: Microsoft Excel
Availability: Free Download
User Guide
Availability: Free Download
Format: Acrobat
Core assumptions that underpin the model
Availability: Free Download
Format: Acrobat

Your region, your nature   Make the links - benefit from your biodiversity. Natural Regions - the infinite value of biodiversity. Every region has its own regional biodiversity partnership or forum. Why not work together with your regional biodiversity service to help meet the challenge of building a sustainable future for your area?


Natural Partners - a report from the England Biodiversity Group, celebrates the achievements of Local Biodiversity Partnerships. The report highlights the benefits of local action for biodiversity (the rich variety of life) and how it benefits people, as well as wildlife.

Over 100 local partnerships have been formed throughout England and involve a broad range of partners; from local authorities, conservation agencies and charities, to landowners, educational institutes and businesses. A wide variety of volunteers and community groups are also engaged in putting the plans into action and 'Natural Partners' highlights local success stories.

Author: England Biodiversity Group
Publisher: The Wildlife Trusts on behalf of the England Biodiversity Group
ISBN: 0902484 931
Availability: Free Download
Format: Acrobat

Millennium Biodiversity Report (MBR) - Sustaining the variety of life: 5 years of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

Author: UK Biodiversity Group
Publisher: DETR
ISBN:
Availability: Free Download
Format: Acrobat

Part 1 (625K)
Part 2 (553K)
Part 3 (651K)
Part 4 (962K)
Part 5 (1043K)
Part 6 (727K)
Part 7 (92K)
Cover (134K)

Delivering Biodiversity Through Community Strategies - Local Biodiversity Action Plans must underpin Community Strategies to ensure that local authorities consider biodiversity central to all decision and policy making. Many LBAP Partnerships find it difficult to engage in the Community Strategies process. Evidence shows that across England and Wales some groups are significantly influencing the priorities and therefore the action, targets and indicators in Community Strategies. Our aim is to share this information with the biodiversity community, encouraging and supporting further involvement across both countries.

Format: Acrobat

Case Study 1 - Cardiff
Case Study 2 - Herefordshire
Case Study 3 - Nottinghamshire
Case Study 4 - Cheshire
Case Study 5 - Staffordshire
Case Study 6 - Kent