There was a piece in The Guardian online yesterday on Natural England withdrawing funding for Local Environmental Record Centres (LERCs):
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/06/decision-to-end-fundi ng-of-local-environmental-record-centres-attacked-natural-england-data-c ollection-contract Regarding the impact on us here at Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, Natural England withdrawing funding isn't a 'life or death' matter for us. We have the support of many partners who value the high quality biodiversity information that we provide - using records supplied and verified by the local biological recording community. We're confident we'll be able to balance the books next year. But the whole issue remains very worrying for all the reasons outlined in the letter that was sent on 17 February to Defra and Natural England (see below). The Association of Local Environmental Record Centres has now made its representations to Defra and Natural England: http://www.alerc.org.uk/news/alerc-position-statement-on-the-withdrawal- of-natural-england-moa-funding We understand that the National Forum for Biological Recording will also be making representations. And the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is talking to Natural England about the importance of local biodiversity evidence. We haven't yet heard anything from Defra or Natural England. Hopefully they will listen and reconsider their decision in the light of the concerns being raised. Best wishes, Clare From: Blencowe, Clare Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 11:38 AM To: '[email protected]' Subject: Action taken regarding changes to Natural England funding for Local Environmental Record Centres Dear Sussex Biological Recorders - Adastrans, Those of you who were at Adastra on Saturday 6 February will be aware of the concern that was expressed by many delegates at the recent decision by Natural England to end funding agreements with all Local Environmental Record Centres from April 2016. (See ALERC announcement here <http://www.alerc.org.uk/news/natural-england-to-end-core-support-for-le rcs> .) At the meeting, Tony Whitbread (Chief Exec of Sussex Wildlife Trust) stood up and asked the attendees if they would be happy to provide a mandate, so that representations could be made to Natural England, on behalf of the Sussex recording community, regarding this decision. The mood of the room seemed to be very much in favour and a number of delegates urged that something should be done. Yesterday, the Sussex Committee for Biological Recording sent the attached letter - on behalf of participants at the 27th Sussex Biological Recorders' Seminar - to Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss, MP Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Chair and Chief Exec of Natural England. In parallel with this initiative, we at Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre are contributing to a joint response from the Association of Local Environmental Record Centres (ALERC). We think it will help our cause to show unity within ALERC and we will be focussing our response on addressing the negative and potentially damaging messages which were implied in Natural England's email, which we think are unjustified. The Sussex Wildlife Trust is also working closely with the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) to highlight the importance of the biodiversity evidence base, and the role of Local Environment Record Centres and local recording communities in delivering this. It is very heart-warming and encouraging for the team here to know that the Sussex biological recording community continues to value the service that Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre provides. Many thanks to everyone at Adastra, and those I've spoken to since, for your support. With very best wishes, Clare
