ESSEX BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
STRATEGIC PLAN
2009-2014
To rebuild Biodiversity and engage people with
their environment
January 2009
Essex Biodiversity Project:
 Works with partners to deliver biodiversity gains that meet action plan targets
 Ensures partners are proud to be part of an organisation that consistently delivers
key projects on the ground
 Inspires the people of Essex to protect and enhance their environment
Essex Biodiversity Project – Strategic Plan
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About the Essex Biodiversity Project
We are a strong and active partnership of more than 40 organisations working to protect
biodiversity in Essex. These partners are fundamental to our success and include Essex
County Council and other local authorities, Essex Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Essex
Field Club, Essex & Suffolk Water, the Environment Agency, John Laing, Butterfly
Conservation, RSPB and RHS, amongst others.
Focusing on the 28 special species and 15 habitats listed in the Essex Biodiversity
Action, we deliver direct action projects; provide professional advice on species and
habitats; act as a catalyst to promote landscape-scale projects; undertake research;
influence strategies and policies at local and regional levels; and highlight the importance
of biodiversity. Since 1999, we have steadily built up a high profile within the nature
conservation community with a reputation for ‘getting the job done’ and delivering tangible
outputs.
The Unique Selling Point of Essex Biodiversity Project
EBP is unique in the East of England in supporting not only a Coordinator, but also a
Project Officer, both of whom work with a steering group of 18 representative people to
guide the direction of the project. This ensures that EBP consistently makes a substantial
contribution towards conserving biodiversity and meeting Essex Biodiversity Action Plan
targets through practical projects that deliver biodiversity gains on the ground.
Our aim
The successful implementation of the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan.
Our vision
EBP creates opportunities to engage partners in targeted and effective projects,
that protect the special species and characteristic habitats of Essex in the face of many
environmental pressures, including unsustainable urban and industrial development,
climate change, pollution, neglect and the impact of non-native invasive species on our
local wildlife and habitats.
EBP act as the ‘hub’ of conservation information and communication, encouraging
participation by all sectors of society, promoting awareness of the importance of
biodiversity and supporting partner organisations in their legal and other responsibilities
towards biodiversity.
EBP record, monitor and understand our biodiversity resource and disseminate that
information to those that can use it to safeguard that resource.
It is vital that EBP inspire the people of Essex to value biodiversity for its intrinsic
value, the economic benefits it brings and the wellbeing it can provide for us all.
Essex Biodiversity Project – Strategic Plan
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The Strategic Plan
The EBP Steering Group recognised the need for a strategic plan to guide the direction of
the Project’s work over the medium and longer term. This strategy is flexible and may
evolve to meet changing priorities and opportunities as they arise. However these themes
will drive EBP to achieve appreciable and significant gains for biodiversity in Essex.
This strategic plan has the following main themes:
A Biodiversity Action Plan review and monitoring, identifying realistic
targets at a local level
B Projects – small and landscape-scale
C Providing value for partners – strong partnership with sound financial
base; raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity and community
engagement
D Development and Planning – influencing local and regional government
policy
Essex Biodiversity Project – Strategic Plan
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A
Biodiversity Action Plan Review and Monitoring
Review of the 1999 Essex Biodiversity Action Plan (EBAP) to bring the
plans up to date and in line with the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
(www.ukbap.org.uk).
Revised plans will identify quantifiable, realistic, attainable and costed
targets to be achieved at county and district level.
BAP targets will be monitored at district and county level and entered
into Natural England’s database, Biodiversity Action Reporting System
(BARS) (www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk).
A1
EBAP reviewed with completed plan by the end of 2009
 Draft EBAP with costings to Natural England end of March 2009 - Coordinator
 Draft EBAP launched at 10 year celebration event in July 2009 – Coordinator
 Completed EBAP on website, promoted and in action by Dec 2009
 Enter new EBAP onto BARS – Coordinator
A2
Update of plan contents and format in line with regional and national BAP as changes
occur.
 EBAP amended as appropriate – Coordinator
A3
Monitor achievement of EBAP targets
 Gather information on actions completed by partners annually – Coordinator &
Project Officer
 Capture and celebrate success for the EBP annual report and meeting –
Coordinator & Project Officer
A4
Identify mechanism for entering EBAP actions and achievements onto BARS
 Collate information for the next national BARS reporting round – Coordinator
& Project Officer
 Identify training needs and provide training as appropriate – Coordinator
B
Projects
Delivery of small and landscape-scale projects that focus on EBAP
species & habitats with public engagement. Small scale habitat
management, survey and monitoring projects are fundamental to
achieving EBAP targets and the success of EBP and we will assist with
expertise, funding and project management.
Effective large-scale projects have been developed throughout the UK,
drawing in new partners and the public, encompassing a range of
species and habitats and helping to mitigate the effects of climate
change.
B1
Identify and act as catalyst in initiating new landscape-scale projects supporting Living
Landscapes LI10.1
 Identify and follow through new potential large projects as they arise with
public and commercial partners - Coordinator & Project Officer
 EBP to lead on three Living Landscape areas and deliver vision statement
during 2009 - Coordinator
 EBP to lead on three Living Landscape areas and deliver vision statement
during 2010 - Coordinator
B2
Deliver small scale EBAP species and habitat projects
 Assist parish councils to identify and deliver local projects – Coordinator &
Essex Biodiversity Project – Strategic Plan
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Project Officer
 Develop and deliver projects through local BAP forums – Coordinator &

Project Officer
Identify and follow through potential projects as they arise with public and
commercial partners - Coordinator & Project Officer
B3
Support Local Wildlife Sites Project NI 197
 Provide biodiversity expertise - Project Officer
C
Providing value for partners, raising awareness of the
importance of biodiversity and community engagement
a) Maintain a strong partnership through drawing in a wide range of
partners and providing tangible benefits and value for partners. Future
fund raising activity will focus on increasing the proportion of income
from outside the government sector.
b) Promote awareness of the importance of biodiversity within all sectors
of society in Essex and encourage participation in conservation
activities.
C1
Ensure EBP attracts at minimum of £90 k funding annually (adjusted for inflation year
on year) to ensure continuity - this is comprised of core funding £70 k, Project fund
£20K.
 Update and implement funding strategy – Coordinator
C2
Work with new corporate and public sectors partners to raise awareness and
implement biodiversity actions
 Forge links with public sector departments – Coordinator & Project Officer
 Work with corporate sector to raise awareness and implement biodiversity
actions – Coordinator
C3
Act as hub of biodiversity information and communication
 Maintain and regularly update the EBP website – Coordinator
 Produce and circulate the Biologue newsletter – Coordinator
C4
Ensure there are clear benefits to EBP partners
 Utilise media effectively to publicise biodiversity issues and events –
Coordinator & Project Officer
 Provide access to biodiversity expertise and project management – Project
Officer
 Hold annual celebration of biodiversity in Essex meeting - Coordinator
 Produce annual report highlighting biodiversity work in Essex - Coordinator
 Identify and present an annual biodiversity award for excellence – Coordinator
 Provide linkage with other initiatives and represent Essex at the Regional
Biodiversity Forum
D
Development and Planning
Influence local government policy towards considering the needs of
biodiversity and helping local authorities to meet their legal obligations
under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.
D1
Raise awareness and disseminate information on the implementation of the NERC Act
2006
 Deliver through the Living Landscapes initiative - Coordinator
Essex Biodiversity Project – Strategic Plan
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D2
Input into district Local Development Frameworks and Community Strategies
 Provide input through Local Strategic Partnerships – Coordinator
 Raise awareness and update as required the ‘Integrating Biodiversity into
Development’ website – Coordinator
D3
Support Biological Records Initiative in Essex (BRIE)
 Participate in the BRIE steering group – Coordinator
 Supply biological data derived from EBP projects to BRIE and the National
Biodiversity Network (NBN) – Coordinator
Essex Biodiversity Project – Strategic Plan
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