parish wildlife map toolkit - basingstoke...the parish wildlife map toolkit delegating project tasks...

The Parish Wildlife Map Toolkit

How To Make A Wildlife Map

Illustrations by www.gregpoole.co.uk

Contents

1. Introduction ..............................................................3

• WhatisaParishWildlifeMap? ..................................................................... 4• WhymakeaParishWildlifeMap? ................................................................ 4• WhatexperiencedoIneedtomakeaWildlifeMap? ................................. 5• Whoshouldbeinvolvedintheproject? ...................................................... 5• Whenisthebesttimetodoasurvey? ......................................................... 5• HowlongwillittaketocompleteaWildlifeMap? .................................... 5

2. How to make a Parish Wildlife Map .......................6

• You’llfinditeasierwithateam .................................................................... 6• Delegatingprojecttasks ................................................................................ 7• Gatheringbackgroundinformation ............................................................. 7• Wheretofindusefulresources ..................................................................... 7

o LocalEnvironmentalRecordCentres .............................................. 8o LocalBiodiversityActionPlans ........................................................ 8o Online Mapping ............................................................................... 9o OS Maps ............................................................................................ 10o Old parish records ............................................................................ 10o Photography ..................................................................................... 10o Access rights ..................................................................................... 11

• ExampleParishWildlifeMaps ....................................................................... 12• CreatingaBaselinemap ................................................................................ 17• CreatingIdentificationkeys .......................................................................... 17• Creatingrecordsheets ................................................................................... 17• Doingthesurvey ............................................................................................ 18• Drawingthefinalmap .................................................................................. 18• We’vemadeaParishWildlifeMap–whatnow? ........................................ 19

3. Optional future projects ..........................................20

4. Record Sheets ...........................................................22

5. Useful contacts .........................................................24

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1. Introduction

Thank you for considering making a Parish Wildlife Map.

We hope this Parish Wildlife Map Toolkit will inspire you into action,reachingtothegreatoutdoors,meetingnewpeopleandlearningmoreaboutthefantasticwildlifetobefoundinyour parish.

Inthisbooklet,you’llfindsimpleinstructionsonhowtomakeaWildlifeMap,whatyoursurveyandfindingscanaccomplishandhowyourmapcansupportthewelfareofyourlocalspecies and habitats.

Meadows,woodlands,hedgerows,ponds,riversandotherwetlands are constantly changing, year by year, decade by decade.WithguidancefromtheParishWildlifeMapToolkit,you’llbeabletomakealastingrecordofthewildlifethat’saroundyoutoday.BymakingaParishWildlifeMap,yoursurveyandresearchcanbeusedasareferencenotonlyforcurrentconservationworkbutalsoasalastinglegacyforgenerationstocome.

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1. Introduction

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What is a Parish Wildlife Map?

A Parish Wildlife Map is a graphical representationofsomeofthekeyhabitats and species within your parishboundary,createdfromacombinationofbackgroundmaterialsandsurveys.

Howmuchinformationisshownon a Parish Wildlife Map and how detailedthatinformationiswilldependonthecircumstances.Youmayhavealimitedamountoftime,youmayonlywanttofocusononearea,forexamplewoodlands,oryoumayhaveaspecificpurposesuchasinformingbuilding and planning decision-makers.AllthesefactorsaffectthefinallookofaParishWildlifeMap.

Why make a Parish Wildlife Map?

Someareasofyourparishmaynothavebeenmappedinspecificdetailandsomeareasmayhavebeenmappedseveralyearsago but are now in need of an update.Somemapsarepronetoinaccuraciesandhumanerror,whichmayonlybediscoveredthroughanewsurvey.

Thoughnotalwaysobvious,yourenvironmentisinconstantchangeandtherecordsyoumakecouldbeinvaluableindiscoveringtransformationstoyourlocalarea that are happening without

anyonerealising–bothgoodchanges and bad!

Therearedifferenttypesofmapsandsurveyscoveringdifferentaspectsoftheenvironment.Yourparishmaybemissingkeywildlifeinformationinareassuchashedgerows, ponds and woodland or a particular wildlife species. YoumayalsowishtouseaParishWildlifeMapaspartofevidencecollectionwithinaCommunityLedPlanning process.

Sometypesofsurveysaremoredifficulttocompletethanothersandmayneedexperthelp,butfor the purposes of this toolkit, a Parish Wildlife Map can be created byanyonewithanenthusiasmtoorganiseasmallteam,dosomebackgroundresearchandmostimportantlyhavethewillingnesstogetoutdoorsandstartmapping!

Community Led Planning is a step-by-step structured process, taken on by local communityactivists,tocreateavisionforacommunityandanactionplantoachieveit.Theresultingvisioncoversthesocial,economic,environmentalandculturalwell-beingofeveryoneinthecommunity.ContactyourlocalruralcommunitycouncilforadviceandguidancethroughActionwithCommunitiesinRuralEngland(ACRE).

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1. Introduction

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What experience do I need to make a Wildlife Map?

Don’tworry-youdon’tneedtobe a professional ecologist or an expertinwildlifeidentification.NeitherdoyouhavetobeatrainedCartographer!Themostimportantthingistohaveanenthusiasmandinterestinyourlocalwildlifeandenvironment.This Toolkit will show you how to go about creating a Parish WildlifeMapfromstarttofinishaswellasideasforfutureconservationprojects.

Who should be involved in the project?

Werecommendyouaimtobringtogetheragroupofsixormorepeople.Eachpersoncancontributeatdifferentlevelsbutby spreading out the workload you’llbeabletocovermoregroundinashorteramountoftime.

When is the best time to do a survey?

Youcanstartplanningyourprojectatanytimeoftheyear,butsomehabitatsandspeciesare best studied during particular seasons. Hedgerows, grassland, ponds,riversandlakesare

best studied during spring and summer.Woodlandscanbestudiedinspring,summerandautumn.Gardensurveyscanbecompletedallyearround.

How long will it take to complete a Wildlife Map?

Theamountoftimetakenonthesurveywilldependonhowmanypeopleyoucangetinvolved,howwideanareayouwanttocoverandtowhatlevelofdetailyouplantoresearch.Whynotfigureouthowmuchtimepeoplecangivetotheprojectfirstandthendecideonthekindofmapyou’dliketoproduce?You’llneedtoplantimefordoingtheinitialbackgroundresearch,andtimesurveyingyourchosenoutdoorlocations.Lastlyyou’llneedtimetocompileallthegathereddatatogetherintoaconciseformat.

AftercompletingyourfirstParish Wildlife Map you or your colleaguesmayfindyourselfinspired to do other related wildlifeactivitiesandconservationwork.Youcanreadsuggestionsforfutureprojectslateroninthebooklet.

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You’ll find it easier with a team

CreatingaParishWildlifeMapwillnotonlyprovideusefulinformationtoyourcommunitybutitcanalsobeanenjoyableget-togetherformembersofyourparish.Themorepeoplewhojoininwillmeanmoretypesofskillsareavailabletotheproject.Somepeoplemaybekeennaturalists,goodphotographers or knowledgeable aboutthelocalarea–allofwhichwillbe a great help. People without prior wildlifeknowledgeorexperiencecanstilltakepart–themostimportantthingistheirenthusiasmtogetinvolved.

Herearesomesuggestedwaystogainsupport for your Wildlife Map.

Wordofmouththroughfriends•andfamily

Write to the local press or parish •magazine

Createleafletsandpostersina•localshop,churchorvillagehall

Talktopeopleateventssuchas•specialist wildlife talks, annual fetesandfarmersmarkets

Makearequestatyournextparish•councilmeeting

Writeasimplequestionnaire•which you could door drop locally

Below is a list of groups you could consider contacting for help:

TheParishCouncil•

Landownersandtenantfarmers•

ParochialChurchCouncil•

Recreationgroupse.g.Walkingor•gardening

Women’sInstitute•

Retirementclubs•

Local history group•

Localconservationvolunteer•group

Localbiodiversitysociety•

Scouts and guides or other youth •groups

Local Wildlife Trust•

BiodiversityCentres•

Schools•

If you think the creation of your Wildlife Map will need funding or public liability insurance, you could trytolinkitintoanexistinggroupsuchastheParishCouncil,Women’sInstituteorScouts.Theirexistingpublicliabilityinsurancecouldcoveryourprojectatnoextracost.Youmayalsofinditeasiertoraisefundsthroughanexistingestablishedgrouprather than on your own.

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2. How to make a Parish Wildlife Map

2. How to make a Parish Wildlife Map

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Delegating project tasks

In order to create interest in your project,trytobeclearaboutyouraimsandobjectives,whatworkwouldbeinvolvedandyourdesiredoutcomes.Trytokeepitsimpleandinteresting.Youcanalwaysembarkonmorecomplicatedsurveysatalaterdate.

Herearesomeaspectsoftheprojectyoumaywanttodelegatetodifferentmembersofyourteam:

Organisation of group •meetings

Storage of data and records•

Background research•

Planningtimelines•

Traininginsurveyingand•wildlifeidentification

CreatingtheRecordsheets•

CreatingIdentificationkeys•

Supervisingtheoutdoor•surveys

CompilingthefinalWildlife•Map

Displayingandpublishingthe•Wildlife Map

Gathering background information

Beforeyoujumpheadfirstintoanewwildlifesurvey,you’llneedtoequipyourselfwithasmuchrelevantbackgroundinformationas you think is necessary. This willsaveyoufromduplicatingsomeoneelse’swork,itwillmakeyoursurveymoreusefulanditmayalsoprovideyouwithideasforsurveysyouhadn’tpreviouslyconsidered.

Where to find useful resources

Backgroundinformationcanbegatheredfromeachofthefollowing areas:

Local Environmental Record 1. Centres

Local Biodiversity Action Plans2.

Online Mapping3.

OS Maps4.

Old parish records5.

Photography6.

Access rights7.

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Local Environmental 1. Record Centres

ALocalEnvironmentalRecordCentreisthefirstandpossiblythebestplacetogetbackgroundinformationonlocal habitat, species and geological data. Many borough and county councilshavespecialiseddepartments,suchaslandscape,conservationorcountrysidemanagementdepartments,thatcollateanddistributebiodiversityinformation.LocalEnvironmentalRecordCentres,county councils and local authorities are all possible sources of local Wildlifeinformation.Muchoftheirbiodiversityinformationcanbeaccessed by the general public.

Herearesomesuggestedquestions you could ask your Local EnvironmentalRecordCentreofficer:

Whatsurveysdoyoualreadyhave•forourparish?

Doyouhaveanytarget-species•distributionsthatmayneedcross-referencing?

CanItakecopiesofrelevantmaps,•surveysandotherrecordsthatmaybeofuse?

Doyouhaveanysuggestionsof•ways I can contribute to your records?

Doesourparishhaveany‘Sitesof•SpecialScientificInterest’or‘LocalWildlifeSites’?

Whatisourparish’s‘Landscape•character’description?

2. Local Biodiversity Action Plans

MostcountieswillhaveaLocalBiodiversityActionPlaninitiativeavailableontheInternet.Fromthisdocumentyou’llbeabletoseeplansformanykeyhabitatssuchashedgerows and grasslands, and for speciessuchaswatervole.

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How to make a Parish Wildlife Map

Landscape Character is a distinct, recognisable and consistentpatternofelementsinthelandscapethatmakesonelandscapedifferentfromanother. Landscape character isthatwhichmakesanareaunique. A Landscape Character Assessment(LCA)canserveasaframeworkfordecision-makingthatrespectslocaldistinctiveness.

Biodiversity Action Plan. (BAP)Thisisaninternationallyrecognizedprogrammeaddressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems.MostcountieswillhaveaLocalBiodiversityActionPlan showing local plans for key habitats and species. ContactyournearestLocalEnvironmentalCentretofindoutmoreaboutyourcounty’sBiodiversityActionPlan.

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3. Online Mapping

Natural England has produced a useful online database that can instantly show you Nature Reserves,SitesofSpecialScientificInterest,BiodiversityActionPlanhabitatsandAgri-Environmentschemeswithinyourparish.ManyAgri-Environmentschemesencourage landowners to undertakeconservationwork,forexample,maintainingspecies-richhedgerows,andtheymayindicateareasofhighecologicalvaluethatcould be useful in planning your Wildlife Map.

NaturalEngland’sdatabaseofmapscanbefoundat www.natureonthemap.org.uk

‘Magic’isaweb-basedinteractivemapthatbringstogetherinformationonkeyenvironmentalschemesanddesignationsinoneplace.YoucanaccessMagic’sinteractivemapsat www.magic.gov.uk

Google Earth is a free application thatletsyouviewsatelliteimagery,maps,terrainand3Dbuildings.ThelatestGoogleEarthfeatureshistoricalimageryfromaroundtheglobewhichallowsuserstotraversebackintimeandstudyearlierstagesofageographical place.

TodownloadthelatestGoogleEarth application go to:www.earth.google.co.uk

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Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). An SSSI is an area which is of special nature conservationvalue.SSSIsaredesignated across the UK by Natural England and they are givensomeprotectionbylaw.TofindoutwheretheSSSIsareinyourareapleasevisit www.naturalengland.org.uk .

Local Wildlife Site (LWS). A Local Wildlife Site is considered tobeofcountysignificancefor wildlife but these sites are not protected by law. A Local WildlifeSitewill,however,be taken into account in the planningsystem.Contactyourlocalauthoritytofindoutabout possible Local Wildlife Sites in your area.

Agri-environment schemes aregovernment-fundedprogrammesthatrewardfarmersforenvironmentallysensitivelandmanagement.Theyprovidefundingtofarmersandlandmanagerstofarminawaythatsupportsbiodiversity,enhancesthelandscape,andimprovesthequality of water, air and soil.

AnalternativetoGoogleEarthisacomputerapplicationcalledWorld Wind. This is a free, open source globalmapdevelopedbyNASAandtheopensourcecommunityforuseonpersonalcomputers.

To download the latest World Wind application go to:www.worldwind.arc.nasa.gov

Pleasebearinmindcopyrightandlicensing laws when using any of these online Mapping tools.

4. OS Maps

Tofindyourparish’sboundaries,you’llneedtolookona1:25,000or1:10,000OrdnanceSurvey(OS)Map.TheOSmapsareparticularlyusefulas they shows key features such as fieldboundaries,rightsofwayandbroadhabitats.SomeoralloftheseelementsmaybeaddedtoyourBaselinemap,thoughdon’tassumethatallthefeaturesontheOSmapareentirelycorrect.Apartofyourjobin creating a Parish Wildlife Map will betodouble-check(or‘ground-truth’)theOrdnanceSurveymaps.

Pleaseremembertoobeycopyrightand licensing laws when using OrdnanceSurveyMaps.

5. Old parish records

InadditiontomodernOSmaps,oldparishmapsandoldOSmaps(pre1900)mayprovidevaluableinformation.Oldmapsmayshowlostofkeyhabitatsoncemoreprevalentincountryside such as ponds and hedge boundaries.Oldrecordsmayshowareasofrelevancetotheculturalidentityoftheparish,suchastumuli(burialmounds),medievalfieldsystemsorotherhistoricalsites.

6. Photography

Acombinationofoldandnewphotographymayalsoshowup interesting changes to the environment.Whynottakenewphotographsfromthesamespotastheoriginalsandcomparethedifferences?Ifyouhavethetimeandthepatienceyoumaywanttodoyourownfixedpointphotography,visuallydocumentingtheseasonalchangestoawildlifesiteoveroneortwoyears.

Aerialphotographscanalsobeveryuseful.YoumaybeabletofindsurveyphotosthattheCountyCouncilhastaken, or if you need new aerial photographs why not see if a local flyingclubcouldbepersuadedtotakeaphotographerupforaflightaroundyourparish?

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7. Access rights

Before you set about doing any newsurveysit’simportanttodiscoverthelocalpublicrightsofway network. Many of the areas youmaywishtosurveycanbeseenfromroadsandpublicpaths.Butifyouneedaccesstoprivatelyownedland,youmustfirstgetpermissionfromthelandowner–pleasedon’tgoontoprivatelandwithoutpermission.The1:25,000OSmapsshowthepublicrightsof way, but if in doubt check with your local authority or ask the landownerspermission.

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Baseline Map. A Baseline Map, sometimescalledaBasemaporOutlinemap,showsthemainoutlinesofroads,rightsofway,fieldboundariesandkey landscape features such as rocks, grassland, woodland, riversandlakes.

Identification key. This is aprintedorcomputer-aideddevicethataidstheidentificationofbiologicalentities, such as trees, plants, animalsandinsects.

A Parish Wildlife Map is a graphical representation of someofthekeyhabitatsandspecies within your parish boundary,createdfromacombinationofbackgroundmaterialsandsurveys.

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Example Parish Boundary Map

Map reproducedbyHampshire and Isle ofWightWildlifeTrust (Ordnance Survey licence no. 100015632) with thepermission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, CrownCopyright 2010. Unauthorised reproduction infringesCopyrightandmayleadtoprosecutionorcivilproceedings.

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Example Parish Habitat Types Map


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Example Parish Landscape Character Map


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Example Parish Historic Landscape Types Map


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Example Designated Wildlife Sites Map


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Creating a Baseline map

Youshouldcontactyourlocallibrary,localbiodiversityofficeror local wildlife trust to see if you can obtain a copy of a Baseline mapthatcouldbecomethestarting point for your Parish Wildlife Map.

Alternatively,youcancreateaBaselinemapfrominformationfound on a 1:25,000 Ordnance Surveymap.ItisadvisabletomakeaBaselinemapfromacopyor part-copy of the OS Map rather than the original. This will be useful if you need to enlarge the mapandfocusinonaparticularareaofinterest.Italsogivesyou the chance to draw only the features you require, such asroads,rightsofwayandfieldboundaries.

Creating Identification Keys

Noteveryoneinyourteamwillbeawildlifeexpert,soitwillbehelpfultohandoutIdentificationkeysrelevanttothetasksathand.TherearelotsofIdentificationbooksavailabletopurchaseas well as plenty of illustrated IdentificationkeysontheInternet.Tomakethingseasierforyourteam,youmaywanttocompileasimplerandmorecondensedIdentificationkeyforyourparticularsurvey.

The following page shows anexampleofthesortofIdentificationkeythatcouldbephotocopied and distributed to themembersofyourgroup.

Don’tforgetthatifsomeonein your group is unsure of a particularfindingtheycanalwaystake a snapshot photograph for identificationatalaterdate.

Creating record sheets

Recordsheetshelppeopleinthefieldtorecordtheirfindingsina structured way. When all the datafromthesurveysarecollatedtogether it will be easier to create meaningfulstatistics.

Recordsheetscancoverspecificareas like garden wildlife, grassland, wetland, hedgerows orwoodland.Theycanalsocoverpersonal questionnaires such as a ‘SustainableLiving’survey,whichcanbeusedtocollectinformationfromlocalresidents.

AtthebackofthisToolkityou’llfindsomeexamplerecordsheets,which you can photocopy for your ownsurveysoruseasaguideforcreating questionnaires better suitedtoyourproject’saims.

Making a survey

You’vedoneallyourbackgroundreading, prepared your Baseline map,photocopiedrecordsheetsandcollatedIdentificationkeys.Allthat’sleft to do now is to get outdoors and startyournewsurvey!

Here’saquickchecklistofitemsyoumayneedwhilemakingasurvey.

RecordSheets•

Baselinemaps•

OS Map 1:25,000•

Identificationkeys•

Camera•

Clipboards•

Pens and coloured pencils•

Ifyouneedtowalkacrossprivately-ownedland,don’tforgettogetpermissionfromtheLandowner.

PleasefollowtheCountryCodeatalltimes.Keepdogsundercontrolandalwaysmakesuregatesareclosed behind you. Please do not pick wildflowersordropanylitter.

Andlastbutnotleast–remembertohavefun!

Drawing the final map

Thefinishedmapormapsshouldclearly show all the habitats and speciesyouhavediscovered,andincludeasymbolidentificationkey.You’llwanttoidentifythemainhabitats within the parish such as woodland, grassland, hedgerows andrivers.Youcanaddinformationfromtheenvironmentalsurveysandbackgroundmaterialyoucollectedinany way you feel is appropriate.

Youmayalsowanttoshowonthemapwhichhabitatsandspeciesare of local interest and which of regional interest. If you are creating morethanonemapthentrytokeepthemappingschemeconsistentthroughout.

ForthefinalParishWildlifeMapyouandyourteammemberscanchoosefromarangeofformats.Somesuggestedwaystodisplayyourfindingsare:

AstandardOS-outlineA3mapof•habitats and species

Aseriesoflargermapsthat•indicate habitats and species, for use on display boards

AseriesofsmallerscaleoutlineA4•mapsthatprovidehigh-leveldetail

Awebsitewithimages,•information,linksanddownloadabledocuments

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We’ve made a Parish Wildlife Map – what now?

YoushouldsubmitacopyofyourfinalParishWildlifeMaptotheyourlocalWildlifeTrustandyourlocalbiodiversityofficer.Afterthisyoucouldorganiseanyofthefollowingactivities:

Put up a special display, such as at your local library, church or •communitycentre.

Publishyourfinishedworkontoawebsite.•

Holdaneventtoinviteresidentstohearaboutyourproject•

Giveapresentationatneighbouringparishes.•

Startaseriesoftalksfromvisitingexpertsthatlinktoanyprotected•speciesfoundduringthesurveys.

Linkthemaptoaparishplanorvillagedesignstatement.•

Developanactionplantofollowupnewideasthathavesprungup•duringtheproductionofthewildlifemap.

ApproachtheParishCouncilforadditionalfunding.•

Makeplanstoimprovebiodiversity.Forexample,mappedhedgescould•help identify where new hedge planting could link habitats.

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AftercompletingyourfirstParishWildlifeMapyouandyourteammayfindyourselfinspiredtodootherwildlifeactivitiesorconservationwork. Here are a few ideas for what youcandonext.

Wildlife garden survey

Gardenscanprovideimportantsources of food and shelter for wildlife, especially in urban areas andinareasofarablefarmland.Yourgroupmayfinditinterestingtoundertake a garden wildlife study to seewhichspeciesarevisitingwhichgardens in your area and at what timesoftheyear.Agardensurveycouldalsobeagoodwayofinvolvinglotsofpeopleinyourprojectsincearecordsheetcanbefilledinwithoutevenleavingthehouse!

Thereisatemplateforagardenwildlife record sheet at the back of thistoolkit.Youcanphotocopyitandgiveittoeveryoneinyourcommunitywho would like to take part.

‘Sustainable Living’ survey

ASustainableLivingsurveycouldhelpencourageyourcommunitytoliveinamoreenvironmentallyfriendlyway.Thissurveycannotonlyprovidestatisticaldataaboutyourcommunitybutmayalsohelppeopletothinkmorecarefullyabouttheirownenergyusage,transportarrangements,waterusage, waste disposal and recycling.

ASustainableLivingRecordsheetcanbe found at the back of this booklet. Youcanphotocopyitandgiveacopytoeveryoneinyourcommunitywhomaybeinterestedintakingpart.

Specific species survey

The following protected species are oftenassociatedwithconservationsites and usually require special surveys:

Bats•

GreatCrestedNewts•

Reptiles•

Badgers•

Water Voles•

Otters•

White-clawedCrayfish•

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3. Optional future projects

3. Optional future projects

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Protectedspeciessurveysusuallyrequireprofessionalexpertiseand special training. Please ask your local Wildlife Trust if you interestedinanyofthesespecificspeciessurveys.

Specific habitat survey

Ifyou’reinspiredtoengageinmorecomplexhabitatsurveysthenyoumaywanttoknowhowtododetailedsurveyson Woodland, Hedgerows, Grasslands,WetlandandOrchardhabitats.Thesesurveysusuallyrequire professional help and special training. Please ask your localWildlifeTrustformoreinformationaboutspecifichabitatsurveys.

Churchyard survey

Churchyardshavemanyhabitatsthatcanbemanagedsympatheticallyforwildlife,suchas:

Areasofmanagedgrass•cuttingforwildflowersandinsects

Wallsandgravestoneswith•lichensandmosses

Patches of woodland, hedges •and shrubs

Introduction of log piles and •compostheaps

Nestingboxeserectedfor•birds and bats

Thenational‘LivingChurchyardsandCemeteries’schemeencourageslocalcommunitiestogetinvolvedinthemanagementof their churchyards for the benefitofwildlifeandvisitors.Whynotfindoutifachurchyardinyourareahasawildlifeschemealreadyinplace? Formoredetailssee www.ecen.org/oldsite/ch&cons.htm

Improve a recreation ground

Somelocalauthoritiesarebecominginterestedinmanagingtheir parks and recreation groundsinamorewildlife-friendlyway.Whynotfindoutwhat your local council is doing for wildlife in parks, and perhaps makesomerecommendations?

Litter clean-ups

Litter and other debris frequently tarnish beautiful stretches of countryside. As well as being an eye-sore, litter can also cause harmtolocalwildlife.Partakingin organised clean-ups is a fun waytoexplorethecountrysideand eradicate litter in the process. Pleaserememberthatanylitterclean-ups should be done in co-operation with the countryside serviceandapprovalfromyourlocal authority.

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4. Record Sheets

GARDEN WILDLIFE RECORD SHEET

Quarterinwhichyouarerecording(pleasetick)

Jan - Mar Jul - Sep

Apr - Jun Oct-Dec

Isyourgardensmall,mediumorlarge? ______________________________

Whichofthefollowingfeaturesdoyouhaveinyourgarden(pleasetick):

trees pond hedge compostheap flowerbed lawn

other please state here _________________________________________

Doyouuseanychemicals(likepesticidesorweedkillers)inyourgarden?__________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Ifyoubuycompost,doyoumakesureitispeat-free? ____________________________________

Whichofthefollowinghaveyouseeninyourgarden(duringthisquarter)

frogs grass snakes bats newts slowworms hedgehog toads badgers foxes

Pleaselistanybutterflies,orotherinsects,thatyouhaveseen:

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Otherwildlife(N.B.turnoverforlistofbirds)

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Tickanyofthefollowingthatyouprovideforbirdsinyourgarden:

food water nestboxes

Arethereanybirdsnestinginyourgarden?(pleasesaywhichspecies)

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Recording the wildlife you see and providing us with the information allows the continual monitoring of species found in our parish.

Species: ______________________________________________________________________________ Numberseen: _________________________________________________________________________ Locationname: _______________________________________________________________________

Gridreference(orpostcode): ___________________________________________________________ Date:_________________________________________________________________________________

Comments/description: ________________________________________________________________

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SUSTAINABLE LIVING RECORD SHEET

How sustainable is your lifestyle?

Haveyoufittedanylow-energylightbulbsinyourhouse? Yes No

Doesyourhousehavedouble-glazing? Yes No

DoyouleaveyourTVorotherappliancesonstand-by Yes No forlongperiodsoftime?

Isyourloftinsulated? Yes No

Howmanycarsaretherebelongingtoyourhousehold?

How often do you (pleasetick)

everyday severaltimesa week

once or twice a week

occasionally never

makeajourneybycar?

makeajourneyoflessthanamilebycar?

makeajourneybypublictransport?

makeajourneyonfoot?

makeajourneybybike?

Arethereanychangesthatcouldbemadethatwouldencourageyoutousepublictransport,cycleorwalkmore?

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Doyouhaveawater-buttorcontainertocollectrainwaterforuseinthegarden? Yes No

Whichofthefollowingmaterialsdoyourecycleonaregularbasis?(pleasetick)

paper glass textiles aluminiumcans steel cans plastic

Doyoumakeyourowncompost?Yes No

Ifnot,isthereareason?(e.g.lackofspace)

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Useful Contacts for Parish Conservation Planning

Subject Organisation Reference/Contact

Amphibiansandreptiles. The Herpetological ConservationTrust www.narrs.org.uk

Amphibiansandreptiles. Froglife www.froglife.org

Archaeology CouncilforBritishArchaeology

www.britarch.ac.uk

[email protected]

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty–NorthWessex.

NorthWessexDownsAONB

www.northwessexdowns.org.uk

Bees ThebumblebeeconservationTrust www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk

BiodiversityConservation The Berkshire Nature ConservationForum www.berksbap.org

BiodiversityConservation,national and local. UKBiodiversityAction

Plans(BAPs).www.ukbap.org.uk

Birds The British Trust for OrnithologyPlus Bird Atlas

www.bto.org

www.bto.org/birdatlas

Birds RSPB www.rspb.org.uk

Breathing Places BBC www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces

Bugs Buglife www.buglife.org.uk

ButterfliesandMoths ButterflyConservation www.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk

CanalsandRivers BritishWaterways–SouthWestdivision

www.britishwaterways.co.uk

01452 318000 [email protected]

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5. Useful Contacts

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ConservationinBerkshire. British Trust for ConservationVolunteers(BTCV)

www2.btcv.org.uk/display/btcv_home

Designatedsites English Heritage www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.19322

English Heritage English Heritage [email protected]

CommonGround CommonGround www.commonground.org.uk

Environment TheEnvironmentAgency

www.environment-agency.gov.uk GeneralEnquiries:08708506506

Environmentaleducation FieldStudiesCouncil www.field-studies-council.org

Fungus The Association of BritishFungusGroups www.abfg.org

Geology RIGS

www.ukrigs.org.ukContactforlocalgroup:01993814147 LesleyDunlopuk.geocities.com/[email protected]

Hampshire

HampshireBiodiversityInformationCentre

www.hampshirebiodiversity.org.uk

Hampshire

TheEnvironmentCentre,Southampton

www.environmentcentre.com

HampshireHampshireCCCountrysideService

www.hants.gov.uk/countryside

Hedgerows UKBiodiversityActionPlan www.ukbap.org.uk

HistoricEnvironmentLocalManagement(HELM)

[email protected]

Mammals TheMammalSociety www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal

25

Mapping

Multi-Agency GeographicInformationfortheCountryside(MAGIC)

www.magic.gov.uk

Maps of natural features Nature on the Map www.natureonthemap.org.uk

National Trust National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Natural EnglandNatural England. BerkshireOffice,Reading

www.naturalengland.org.uk

Tel: 0118 958 [email protected]

Orchards CommonGround www.england-in-particular.info/orchards/o-index.html

Plants Floralocale www.floralocale.org

Plants FlowerFarms www.flowerfarms.co.uk

Plants Plantlife www.plantlife.org.uk

Records BerkshireRecordsOffice www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk

Records ThamesValleyEnvironmentRecordsCentre

www.tverc.org

SustainableCommunities GroundworkSouthEast www.groundwork-se.org.uk

Sustainable energy EnergySavingsTrust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Sustainable energy TV Energy www.tvenergy.org

Sustainable Technology Centreforsustainabletechnology www.cat.org.uk

Trees TheTreeCouncil www.treecouncil.org.uk

26

Useful Contacts

The

Pari

sh W

ildlif

e M

ap T

oo

lkit

Trees AncientTreeForum www.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum

Volunteering BTCV www.btcv.org.uk

Wildlife Wild About Britain www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk

Wildlife Wildfile www.mylinkspage.com/wildfile.html

Woodlands ForestryCommission www.forestry.gov.uk

Woodlands The Woodland Trust www.woodland-trust.org.uk

27

Inside this Toolkit you’ll find everything you need to know to about making a Parish Wildlife Map. We’ll show you how to gather support for your project, where to find useful resources, how to make a survey and how to create and display your finished Wildlife Map.

Apdfversionofthetoolkitisavailable fromthefollowingorganisations.

North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyDenfordManor,LowerDenford,HungerfordBerkshireRG170UN

Tel: 01488 [email protected]

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust BeechcroftHouse,VicarageLane,Curdridge,HampshireSO322DP

Tel: 01489 774400 [email protected]

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife TrustTheLodge,1ArmstrongRoad,Littlemore,Oxford,OX44XT


Wiltshire Wildlife Trust ElmTreeCourt,LongStreetDevizes,WiltshireSN101NJ

Tel: 01380 725670www.wiltshirewildlife.org

Community Council for Berkshire27 Eldon Square Reading,BerkshireRG14DP

Tel: 0118 9612000www.actionforall.org.uk/com-plan

Community FirstWyndhams,St.Joseph’sPlaceDevizes,WiltshireSN101DD

Tel: 01380 [email protected]. communityfirst.org.uk

Community Action HampshireBeaconsfieldHouseAndoverRoadWinchester SO22 6AT

Tel: 01962 854971www.action.hants.org.uk

ACRE - Action with Communities in Rural EnglandSomerfordCourt,SomerfordRoadCirencester,GloucestershireGL71TW


Oxfordshire community council

JerichoFarm,Worton

WitneyOX294SZ

Tel: 01865 883488 www.oxonrcc.org.uk

Illustrationsbywww.gregpoole.co.uk-nottobeusedorcopiedwithoutpermission.

ThankstoNorthWessexDownsAONBSustainableDevelopmentFund,HampshireCountyCouncilandBasingstoke

andDeaneBoroughCouncilforfundingtheproductionofthistoolkit.ThankstoOvertonBiodiversitySociety

forpilotingthetoolkitandtheirhelpfulcommentsin

makingitasuser-friendlyaspossible.

Printed on 100% recycled paperCopywritingandGraphicDesignbyFlyingKite

http://www.flyingkite.co.uk

parish wildlife map toolkit - basingstoke...the parish wildlife map toolkit delegating project tasks...

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