www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Biodiversity
Wiltshire is a wonderful county for wildlife - important habitats, rare and protected species and a wide diversity of animals and plants. This ‘Biodiversity’ is a consequence of the county’s varied land form, geology, soils, habitats and built structures, which in turn have been influenced by farmers, estate owners, conservations, developers and others.
The importance of Wiltshire’s biodiversity is recognised in that numerous areas of the county are covered by international and national nature conservation designations.
The county council works to conserve and enhance Wiltshire’s biodiversity through its implementation of the Wiltshire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), through its Biodiversity Improvement Grant scheme, by making financial contributions and dedicating staff time to a wide range of conservation and environmental organisations and projects in the County, and through its core work.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity encompasses the whole variety of life on Earth. It includes all species of plants and animals, their genetic variation, and the complex of ecosystems of which they are part.
Biodiversity is at the heart of our aim for a more sustainable future. We have a duty to ensure that a diverse and thriving natural environment is maintained for the economic, social and spiritual health and well-being of this and future generations.
The word ‘biodiversity’ gained prominence following the Rio Earth Summit when more than 150 States, including the UK, signed the Convention on Biological Diversity aimed at conserving the global diversity of habitats and species.
The UK was one of the first countries to produce a national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), followed by a series of action plans for priority habitats and species.
In order to address the long-term decline in Wiltshire’s biodiversity, common to the whole of the UK, it was decided by the County Council and other partners to produce a local BAP specifically for Wiltshire. The Wiltshire BAP now integrates with the South West Regional BAP and the emerging Swindon BAP.
Contact Details
By Post
Countyside Section
Environmental Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713489
By Fax
01225 713269
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
