£130,000 Boost For Wales’ Most Vulnerable Wildlife

A Marsh Fritillary Butterfly.

The Marsh Fritillary survey assessed the condition of pastures, in Neath Port Talbot, capable of supporting Marsh Fritillary butterflies.

Image by: Milke Hammett

 

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by Countryside Council for Wales

March 07, 2007

The Countryside Council for Wales’ 2007 Species Challenge Fund is offering £130,000 worth of grants to volunteer groups and individuals, to fund conservation projects aimed at helping Wales’ most vulnerable species.

Joanna Robertson, CCW’s senior biodiversity advisor, said, "The successful Species Challenge Fund, now in its 7th year, is effective in stimulating action for less well known animals, insects and plants and has helped smaller groups and keen naturalists get started in local biodiversity action.

"Voluntary groups and individuals are often best placed to manage wildlife projects at a practical and local level. The richness of our natural environment is not something we can take for granted. It is crucial to the economic and social well being of all the people of Wales and it needs help."

All projects seeking funds will need to deliver targets and actions for species identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and the Wales priority list. They must also provide information to share with Wales’ four Local Record Centres.

Application forms and guidance on how to apply can be downloaded from the Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP) website from the 12th March. Closing date for applications is 20th April 2007 for work beginning after 4 June 2007. The normal level of support from CCW is 50 per cent.

Organisations and projects that have benefited from the fund include:

Marsh Fritillary survey - This project, managed by Neath Port Talbot Biodiversity Action, received over £2000. Its main aim was to assess the condition of pastures, in Neath Port Talbot, capable of supporting Marsh Fritillary butterflies.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society was awarded £7,000 to undertake boat and land-based surveys of cetaceans around Bardsey Island. Risso's dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoise were encountered during this survey and interactions with boat traffic and feeding grounds were noted.

A Sea Fan.

Reef Research was awarded £10,000 to undertake a study of the genetic variation in UK populations of the pink seafan.

Image by: Rohan Holt

 

Gower Marine Mammal Group was awarded £10,000 for an acoustic study of the number of Harbour Porpoises found along the South Wales coast. The study showed that these marine mammals are more widespread than was previously thought.

Reef Research was awarded £10,000 to undertake a study of the genetic variation in UK populations of the pink seafan.

Marine Conservation Society was awarded £13,000 to search for new records of underwater eelgrass beds in Wales. Findings from this dive study showed that eelgrass was present at locations where it had not previously been recorded. A valuable analysis of the marine life living on the eelgrass was also completed.

CCW’s Species Challenge Fund will continue until 2009-10. A review, looking into the success of the projects funded and how they have helped restore biodiversity in Wales and halt its decline, will be conducted after 2010.

Launched in 2001, the Fund has distributed £670,000 to 65 recipients

CCW is an independent adviser to government, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More information about our work is available on www.ccw.gov.uk

Countdown 2010 website: http://www.countdown2010.net/