Natural England

South Yorkshire’s public bodies have been challenged to conserve and enhance wildlife at an event hosted today (Friday 4th April 08) by the South Yorkshire Biodiversity Forum.

The 2006 Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act requires all public bodies to have regard for conserving biodiversity. Today’s event at St Mary’s conference centre sees the promotion of specific guidance to help public bodies in South Yorkshire understand how they might do this.

Key speakers at the event are the Natural England Head of Biodiversity Dr Pete Brotherton and the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, Sheffield Brightside.

Peter Nottage, Yorkshire and Humber’s Regional Director, Natural England
‘The public sector taking an interest in protecting biodiversity is great news not only for wildlife but also for the people of South Yorkshire and the wider Yorkshire & Humber region. There is growing evidence that regular contact with nature improves people’s health and wellbeing; any extra effort that can be put into enhancing our cities wildlife and green spaces will benefit us all’.

Quote from David Blunkett
‘Wildlife and green spaces enrich our lives. Sheffield's success has been in no small part because of the way its trees, woods and greenspaces have been protected and integrated into the city's regeneration. This provision of green infrastructure not only enriches our own lives but is vital in supporting Sheffield's continued development, helping to attract business and investment into the city ensuring Sheffield and our communities thrive’.

Quote from Nigel Doar Sheffield Wildlife Trust "There are environmental, social and economic benefits to incorporating biodiversity into regeneration and other schemes and The Wildlife Trusts are experienced in working with others to realise these benefits"

Senior managers and other decision-makers from South Yorkshire’s Local Authorities and Public Authorities are attending the event to hear some inspirational examples of how biodiversity can be incorporated into different sectors and to think about how they can benefit biodiversity in their own work.

Also speaking are representatives from the Green Roof Centre, Golder Associates, Green Estates, and Sheffield Wildlife Trust who have developed and can support new ways to enhance and protect South Yorkshire’s biodiversity.

Case study - Green Roof building project – Sharrow Primary School
The event includes a visit to a Green Roof building project. Sharrow Primary School was completed last year and includes a number of environmental innovations including 2000 square metres of ‘green roof’.

Plants for the roof were carefully chosen to help ensure it blended into the surrounding landscape and provided a haven for wildlife. It also helps to control excess water, humidity, noise, heat and pollution. The roof will include a web cam and weather vane.

The project has been nominated for several awards. It came second in the E.ON environmental awards and has been nominated for SCARLA building of the year 2008.

Notes for editors

For more information, a copy of Natural England's speech or to arrange interviews please contact: Emma MacDonald, Regional press office, 0113 2303533, 07900 608073. Emma.macdonald@naturalengland.org.uk

The Biodiversity Duty
On 1st October 2006 a new duty came into force under the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act which affects all public bodies in England and Wales. The duty requires every public body to have regard for conserving biodiversity within their own operations. Biodiversity can be broadly describes a rich variety of wildlife and the habitats that they depend on.

Public authorities have a key role to play in conserving biodiversity through their work in developing and implementing external and internal policies and strategies; administering the planning system, managing their land and buildings; developing infrastructure; engaging with business and the public; conducting research and managing information; making decisions about procurement; and implementing economic, environmental and social programmes.

The Duty applies to all public authorities including local authorities, central government departments, executive agencies, non departmental public bodies, regional government offices, non-ministerial departments, NHS Trusts, regional assemblies, utilities and all other bodies carrying out functions of a public character under a statutory power. Managers in all public bodies need to be aware of the requirements of the duty. Natural England are responsible for informing public authorities about the duty.

The Green Roof Centre
The Green Roof Centre is an independent research and demonstration hub, which supports and promotes the uptake of green roofs through demonstrating their benefits and potential in a wide range of settings and scales.

Founded by the University of Sheffield and Groundwork Sheffield, and based in South Yorkshire, the Green Roof Centre operates with partners in the region to demonstrate the potential of green roof uptake in the UK by focusing on the following areas of activity.
For further information www.thegreenroofcentre.co.uk/index.html

South Yorkshire Biodiversity Forum
The South Yorkshire Biodiversity Forum is led by a South Yorkshire Biodiversity Coordinator (Nicky Rivers, based at Sheffield Wildlife Trust) with representatives from the local authorities in South Yorkshire; public bodies Natural England and the Environment Agency and interest groups including the Wildlife Trusts, CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) and FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group).

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. www.naturalengland.org.uk

ENDS