The NERC Biodiversity Duty

The NERC Biodiversity Duty

The Biodiversity Duty is set out in Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006 and states that:

“Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity.”

Biodiversity Duty Seminars

The Biodiversity Duty and You

Interpretation days for Local Authority and Parish Council employees and members

The Surrey Biodiversity Partnership ran free interpretation days to help people from all departments look at what they can do to conserve biodiversity whilst going about their daily tasks.

· Find out how to meet your statutory obligations on biodiversity.

· Find out about the latest legislation and how it affects you.

· Discover ways in which you can deliver on the duty.

· Learn the latest on European protection of species eg bats.

· How to engage with and benefit from the Surrey Biodiversity Action Plan and meet some of the key partners.

· Hear how to make best use of the Surrey Biological Record Centre.

· What simple measures can you implement to encourage some of our much loved wildlife species? – Hear from a range of species experts.

· In 2009 government will request reports on delivery of the duty. We’ll look at reporting parameters and delivery mechanisms.

Target Audience

The events were aimed at Local Borough and Parish Council staff and members. Planning departments; Environment Services; Grounds Maintenance; Countryside and Parks; Community and Leisure.

A series of inhouse events were run for the County Council and a regional seminar for public bodies and businesses.