Page 10 - BBOWT Annual Review 2017-18

Value nature by

ben e f itsexplaining its

Communicating the value of nature sows the seeds
for nature’s recovery. People are more inclined
to act in the interests of wildlife if they recognise
their dependence on the natural environment
and all that it provides.

D uring the General Election we sought a commitment from
prospective MPs to act for nature. Forty commented on what
they would do to secure further protections, including Prime
Minister Theresa May. Our event on Oxford’s Port Meadow to put
‘Nature Back into the Heart of the Election’saw party representatives
speak of the need for legislation on clean air, water and habitats
for wildlife.

By lobbying MPs we can encourage parliament to legislate for Less visible is the work of our Senior Biodiversity and Planning
wildlife’s recovery. Work in this area encouraged five new pledges Officers and their volunteers, who tirelessly review thousands of
from MPs and Ministers for the environment, backing the GreenerUK planning applications and documents, and engage and influence
coalition’s call to establish the UK as a world leader in environmental decision-makers. The public may not see this side of our work but it
protection post Brexit. Meetings with several MPs led the way to is crucial to limiting the impact of new development and ensuring
significant amendments to the UK Withdrawal Bill to retain and it results in the best possible outcomes for wildlife. The benefits to
wildlife are very real.
enforce environmental legislation.
Over the last six years BBOWT has campaigned passionately to
BBOWT’s Nature Matters newsletter launched at the reduce the impacts of the High Speed Two (HS2) railway on wildlife.
start of the year to inform influencers and decision- Our reports, petitions and appearances before Parliamentary
makers about the work we do. Nature Matters will Select Committees secured a number of compromises, including
go out at least twice a year to councillors, local a promise to address shortfalls in the amount of wildlife
parties and NGOs, planning officers, clinical compensation and a commitment for 30m wide Green Bridges
commissioning groups and where the line passes through the Bernwood Forest.
relevant partnership groups.
Attention now turns to the proposed Oxford to Cambridge
tsicreBelneBfesossOrlyWtnobaTsetthuawirnneoddrktushpe Expressway road. To date we have taken part in a closed
consultation, submitted our response to Highways England and
written to the Secretary of State for Transport and MPs in the area
affected, meeting several to express our concerns. Five MPs publicly
supported our call for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (to
assess the environmental and sustainability impacts) of the three
potential routes for the proposed road. The recently announced
preferred route is potentially the most damaging of the three and
we are collaborating with other organisations to coordinate a
way forward.

10 Annual Review 2017/2018 | Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust