The updated State of Nature Report for 2019 has been published, and makes sobering reading for the UK. More than 60% of priority species are in decline, and more than a quarter of UK mammal species could be facing extinction, according to the most detailed report yet on the State of the Uk's wildlife.
New guidance for landowners and land managers wanting to encourage healthy water vole populations on their land has been released by PTES (People’s Trust for Endangered Species). Reviewed and endorsed by the UK Water Vole Steering Group, it provides a wealth of information in a compact and easy to follow guide.
Little Terns face many pressures and are highly sensitive to disturbance. To help this rare seabird, Essex Wildlife Trust has been working hard to create optimum Little Tern habitat on their reserves. Please see their Little Tern project page for more information.
Planning decisions should be based on up to date information, but exactly how old this information can be before it is no longer considered "current" is often a bit of a grey area. In some cases there may be specific guidance, but now CIEEM, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, has published general advice on the length of time that professional survey reports can be considered valid.
As a not-for-profit organisation we rely heavily on our volunteers, and have regular volunteers that help to digitise data. We are very grateful for their help and dedication, and recently had the opportunity to recognise one of our longest serving volunteers via the Room for Reward scheme. Essex Wildlife Trust can nominate a limited number of volunteers for the scheme each year, and we were delighted to have our volunteer Brian Arbon recognised under the scheme.
