Essex Biodiversity Project

Living Landscapes are an initiative spearheaded by the Wildlife Trusts, who have a bold aim; to safeguard all our wildlife through an unprecedented period of climate change and in the face of huge changes in agriculture and industry. Living Landscapes are large landscape scale areas of the countryside like river valleys, estuaries, forested ridges, and grass and heath mosaics, which are ecologically stable and bursting with life. Their scale and stability provides a superb range of habitats for many species of wild plants and animals, bringing a quality of life for local people who are part of them. Their connected nature allows wildlife to move through them and makes them more resilient to threats such as climate change, floods, droughts, sea level rises and development pressure. All of this will have a huge impact upon wildlife and people.

 

Picture Epping Forest as a good example of a woodland Living Landscape, containing areas of grassland and heath within it, or the Dedham Vale as a river valley living landscape, or the Colne estuary as a good estuarine living landscape. All provide high quality habitats and their local communities are proud of them.

Essex Wildlife Trust has produced a Living Landscapes Map of Essex with partners to identify 80 Living Landscape areas, based upon their existing ecological value and their potential to be come even more vibrant. 

 

The vision can only be achieved by organisations working together. Essex Wildlife Trust can provide expertise and advice. Private landowners will have an important role to play and farmers may find new opportunities to bring interest and resources to their farm. District and Borough Councils will have a role to play through their planning process, ensuring that their Local Development Framework has Core Strategy policy aimed at the provision of Living Landscapes, also known by the alternative name of Green Infrastructure. Natural England has produced a policy paper on the provision of Green Infrastructure, and they can also provide advice. Other organizations such as the Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Primary Care Trust, Parish Councils, utility companies, Charitable Trusts and private businesses will also have their roles to play.

 

Co-operation gains the benefit of being part of larger whole, for example an initiative on the Essex Coast and Rivers involves Colchester, Tendring, Maldon, Rochford and Essex County Councils, Essex Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Pioneer Trust, Dengie Farm and Food Trails and the Rural Community Council of Essex to try to bring together resources to benefit wildlife, rural landscapes and local communities of the Essex Coast. Working together can bring grants and support.

The Living Landscapes Vision is being progressed through the Essex Local Area Agreement as Local Indicator 10.1. This is an Agreement made between the Government and Essex Partnership of public, private and third sector organisations including the Essex Wildlife Trust and the Essex Biodiversity Project. Essex Wildlife Trust is the target lead organisation for this Local Indicator 10.1. 

 

Out of the 80 Living Landscapes which have been identified, there are between 2 and 9 in each district within the County. The important target is to get a Management Vision document in place for these Living Landscapes and to begin work to improve and promote the great value of these areas to Essex. Eight vision documents are in place, including Dedham Vale in the Stour Valley, Colne Valley, Lea Valley, Epping Forest, Blackwater Estuary, Hatfield Forest, Galleywood Common and Hockley Woods. The majority are not in place and this Local Indicator 10.1 will support the preparation of the other Management Visions, begin work to establish these Living Landscapes in Essex and help secure funding. As Vision documents are produced they will be added to a website at www.essexpartnershipportal.org/live/partnership/65

 

If you would like to find out more or contribute to the Living Landscape work, please contact Lucinda Butcher at Essex Wildlife Trust Tel: 01621 862960 or lucindab@essexwt.org.uk