The Isles of Scilly’s Biodiversity Audit was the first important step in identifying the process of preserving the variety of habitats and species that make up the unique character of the islands, both for now and the future.
As the Isles of Scilly had yet to have a comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) carried out across all islands or to have comprehensive Management Plans for the land managed by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust in 2007. ERCCIS began work developing a Biodiversity Action Plan for the Isles of Scilly with funding from Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, hosted by Natural England.
The Isles of Scilly Biodiversity Audit aimed to
- To assess the status and trends in biodiversity in the Isles of Scilly
- To identify the main issues affecting biodiversity
- To establish priorities for the conservation of biodiversity
- To make recommendations for immediate action to conserve and enhance the Isles of Scilly’s biodiversity
KEY ACHEVEMENTS
The Audit produced six major recommendations and these were accepted and endorsed by the Isles of Scilly Council and the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
The grant money also allowed for the production of Conservation Management Plans for all the terrestrial land holdings of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, about 60% of the islands, and for a week of community consultations with islanders and visitors.