Lobbying and Consultations
BCT is constantly responding to consultations and lobbying on issues that have implications for bat conservation.
We monitor many of the issues on the political agenda via our membership of Wildlife and Countryside Link and we often contribute to joint responses on issues to government bodies such as Natural England and JNCC via this discussion forum.
Direct lobbying by BCT to high level policy makers is also undertaken for issues considered to have a particular threat to the conservation of bats.
Many consultations come directly to BCT for response, whilst others come via Wildlife and Countryside Link, other BCT contacts and members. A wide range of issues are covered including: changes in legislation & licencing, good practice guidance, planning issues and work associated with the UK and countries Biodiversity Action Planning System.
Working in partnership
We work in partnership with many government, other non-governmental organisations and bat specialists commenting on issues, producing important papers and best practice guidance.
Good Practice Guidance
People working with bats or who might come into contact with bats or their roosts during their daily lives require good practice guidance to help them conduct their business in the interests of bat conservation. Some examples of good practice guidance is provided below and also via the Professional Guidance page.
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BCT produced a good practice guide on Woodland Management for Bats, which is aimed at anyone who owns or manages trees. It is applicable to wooded landscapes such as parks, large estates, National Parks, woodland reserves and commercial forests managed for timber, tourism or game.
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BCT has produced Bat Surveys - Good Practice Guidelines.
- BCT guidelines on Invertebrate Trapping for Bat Rehabilitation have also recently been produced.
Other examples of BCT's partnership work include:
BCT has been working alongside environmental lawyers and other non-governmental organisations to look at the concept of 'Favourable Conservation Status' (FCS) as defined in the Habitats Directive. download the paper: Favourable Conservation Status - from legal interpretation to practical application
BCT responded to consultations on amendments to the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Further information on the 2007 Habitats Regulations Amendments can be found on the Habitat Regulations Amendments pages.
Adding to the debate about the level of protection that bat foraging and commuting habitats have, the following paper by Lincoln Garland (lincoln.garland@biodiversitybydesign.co.uk) and Steve Markham (Steve.Markham@MarquisandLord.com) explores the concept of what constitutes important foraging and commuting habitat in the context of maintaining favourable conservation status, concluding that nature conservation legislation can and should be used to protect such habitats, and to deliver sufficient levels of mitigation or compensation. Download the paper: Is important bat foraging and commuting habitat legally protected?
Our work is funded by Natural England and The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
