Stretton
Biodiversity Group
Introduction
Over the last 30 years we have lost
all of our mature elm trees to Dutch Elm disease which completely changed
the landscape. Following this many of the ancient hedgerows were removed and
the small species-rich meadows were ploughed to make way for modern arable
farming. We have now lost over 97% of this rich diverse habitat in Britain.
Because we produce many of our crops
in an almost aseptic monoculture, these vast areas support very little other
than planted crops.
There are many beneficial life forms
such as fungi, plants, insects, birds and mammals that have suffered by the
sheer scale of habitat loss. After much scientific research the government
has decided that one way we can make a difference is through a Biodiversity
Action Plan. Supported by Central, Local and Parish government, we can make
a statement of how we intend to nurture and protect our essential local
wildlife and habitat. We can do this not for ourselves but for all future
generations to enjoy…
Planting Trees in the Dairy
Ground Spinney
Tom, Lily and Owen Lewis
planting their trees in October 2007

Parish
Biodiversity Action Plan
An outline Parish BAP document has
been produced by the County Council (see
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity. The document outlines habitats and
species which are threatened or thought of as important are identified for
the Parish and actions planned to protect them. These are the areas which
already have outline plans written by the County Council:
The group has selected plans that are most important to
the Parish".
To
protect and enhance the Parish environment the group hopes to:
Survey: A Biodiversity Action Plan or BAP gives us an opportunity to
survey the countryside in our Parish and assess the richness of its flora!
Identify:
A Biodiversity Action
Plan is an ideal way to identify the important and vulnerable species we
have and the most valuable areas for wildlife.
Restore:
Even small restoration projects that everybody may take part in can make
a big difference! Clearing scrub, laying a hedge, sympathetic grazing and
mowing or allowing meadow to self seed every few years is a great benefit to
our wildlife.
Protect:
By protecting existing
habitat from further damage and sympathetically managing some of the
neglected areas we can encourage a more diverse population of flora and
fauna.
For more
information contact:
Dave Passingham 661816
davepassingham@hotmail.com
Phill Clayton 664353
phillclayton@tiscali.co.uk
And to see some of the wonderful
diversity we have in Stretton-on-Fosse go to the website of our local expert
Phill Clayton:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/phillclayton/index.htm