LBAPs

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Local Biodiversity Partnerships

The England Biodiversity Group web site states that Local BAPs are a proven mechanism for focusing resources by means of local partnerships to conserve and enhance national and local biodiversity. The functions of LBAPs are;-

To translate national targets for species and habitats into effective action at the local level
To identify targets for species and habitats important to the local area and reflecting the values of local people
To stimulate effective local partnerships to ensure programmes for biodiversity conservation are developed and maintained in the long term
To raise awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation and enhancement in the local context
To ensure opportunities for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity are promoted, understood and rooted in policies and decisions at the local level
To provide a basis for monitoring and evaluating local action for biodiversity priorities, at both national and local levels.

Publication entitled ‘Natural Partners’ provides a clear outline of the value and achievements of LBAPs and a more recent report provides a stakeholders evaluation of LBAPs in Wales also outlines the importance of the LBAP process.

A new Delivery Framework has recently been prublished outlining the role of both local and regional biodiversity partnerships (see below)

Further information on Biodiversity Action can be found at

Defra website
England BAP web site
UK BAP web site link with lots of useful information

There are six strategic LBAPS within the West Midlands Region and further information on their work can be found at the links below

New England Biodiversity Delivery Framework

Regional and Local Delivery

Halting biodiversity loss and meeting the challenge of climate change requires landscape-scale approaches that improve habitat connectivity and deliver appropriate networks to meet the present and future needs of species. This requires coordinated delivery at all levels, with strong regional and local biodiversity partnerships and improved integration and alignment of national, regional and local work programmes. This is an important aim of the framework and, to help achieve this, the England Biodiversity Integration Groups and species lead partners will work more closely with regional and local partnerships than has been the case in the past. Within each region, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission, will work together with biodiversity partnerships and other key partners, including National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to agree priorities and accountabilities for delivery.

Regional and local biodiversity partnerships are a critical component of the framework, their role is to:

Agree or confirm regional and local targets for delivering priority habitats and species, actively seeking and taking account of advice from the biodiversity integration groups and species lead partners, where appropriate.

Ensure protected landscapes (National Parks and AONBs) are properly integrated into the prioritisation, decision making and delivery process.

Ensure targets are fully reflected in appropriate policy instruments and strategies at regional and local levels, including Regional Spatial Strategies, Local Development Documents, Shoreline Management Plans, River Basin Management Plans etc.

Taking account of any existing ‘vision’ maps, agree delivery priorities, aiming to enhance biodiversity at a landscape scale and increase the resilience of habitats, sites and ecosystems.

Develop a regional delivery plan for high priority actions with agreed accountabilities, ensuring that these plans are integrated as far as possible with those of the Biodiversity Ingration Groups and the national Targeted Species recovery process

Report actions and their outcomes using the BARS and contribute to national reporting rounds as required.