I would not get your hope up regarding Natural England. Its quite likely there
doors will remain closed.
On another matter regarding Natural England, their stance regarding bees is
rather alarming, they seem to think that they have no place in the British
Isles, and I even heard of a case where someone applied for a grant to protect
a rare bee and they offered to help get rid of them instead.
We live in interesting times.
Candi
From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 7, 2016 10:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Adastra] Action taken regarding changes to Natural England
funding for Local Environmental Record Centres
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{}-->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-funding-of-local-environmental-record-centres-attacked-natural-england-data-collection-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.)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
