Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership

The Functions of a Local BAP

The need for local action plans, which can involve many more partners and identify local priorities, as well as helping to implement action for relevant national priorities, was identified in the UK BAP, which stated that 'Biodiversity is ultimately lost or conserved at the local level'. 
Local BAPs have a dual role, identifying ways of implementing action from the national BAP on the ground and identifying local priorities and action that can be taken for these. Many more partners can become involved locally, including Local Authorities and local naturalists groups. Links to existing projects and partnerships can also be made.

Local BAP's are in place to:

Ensure that national targets for species and habitats are translated into effective action at the local level.
Identify targets for species and habitats appropriate to the local area reflecting the values of people locally.
Develop effective local partnerships to ensure that programmes for biodiversity conservation are maintained in the long term.
Raise awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation in the local context.
Ensure that opportunities for conservation and enhancement of the whole biodiversity resource are fully considered.
Provide a basis for monitoring progress in biodiversity conservation, at both local and national level.

Source:  Guidance for Local Biodiversity Action Plans, vol. 1, UK Local Issues Advisory Group 1996

• Important features of the local biodiversity planning process, which distinguish a BAP from joint conservation initiatives that have taken place before are:
• Shared prioritisation - for the first time everyone is working for the same comprehensive set of priorities.
• A broad partnership, involving many organisations who are not primarily concerned with conservation, as well as all those who are.
• Integration between the national and local level, enabling local partners to see how they are contributing towards both local and national targets.
• Clear and measurable target setting and commitment to precise actions, which will be reported upon, allowing progress to be measured and both problems and opportunities identified.
  

For more information please visit the Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership website