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Conservation of the Great Crested Newt in Marston Vale. Volunteer Training 8 May 2013. Project Aims. To contribute in filling the gaps in the GCN Habitat Network Maps to be used in strategic planning by Local Authorities, NE, NGOs and developers.
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Conservation of the Great Crested Newt in Marston Vale Volunteer Training 8 May 2013
Project Aims • To contribute in filling the gaps in the GCN Habitat Network Maps to be used in strategic planning by Local Authorities, NE, NGOs and developers. • To undertake a broad presence/ likely absence surveys and a detailed survey of minimum 40 ponds • Identify areas for restoration/ creation of 20 ponds • Provide advice to landowners and training to volunteers
Organisations Involved • Natural England • Central Bedfordshire Council • Bedford Borough Council • Marston Vale Trust • Wildlife Trust • Bedfordshire and Luton BRMC • Bedfordshire Reptile and Amphibian Group • BSG Ecology/ O&H Properties Ltd • Froglife Trust • Natura International • SITA Trust
Budget and timescale • February 2013 – April 2015
Survey strategy • Draw a list of ponds, systematise their status • Select target areas and ponds for 2013 • Establish land ownership and apply for access • Presence/ likely absence surveys • Up to 4 surveys (bottles, torch and eggs search) • More detailed surveys of ponds in areas identified for restoration • HSI and larvae survey for all ponds • Subcontractors with the assistance of volunteers after training (by Froglife and NI)
Habitat Work • Areas that we know have had strong populations and desperately need some work • Opportunity to connect ponds • Source population ponds will be identified by the survey • Funds to be used mainly for excavator work and some scrub clearance • Work to be supervised by NI and MVT • 10 year habitat maintenance agreements with land-owners based on short management plans
Dissemination and efficient use of data • Data will be callated and presented in GIS by the BRMC. • Data to be used by NE, planning authorities and developers in new development project • Conservation organisations to plan further conservation actions • Intriguing idea… how to use mitigation funds for better conservation of GCN populations