The Rio Earth Summit in 1992 introduced the term Biodiversity to us and achieved the commitment of over 150 countries to the Convention of Biological Diversity. This means that these countries, including the United Kingdom, are committed to establishing an Action Plan for sustaining and conserving biodiversity. The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group was established in 1996 from key sectors: local government, the business and farming communities, the voluntary sector and central government. In October 2000 a report to government set out the Biodiversity Groups 76 recommendations on how to sustain our Biodiversity. This includes the importance of our habitats and species in local and national terms. The Group stated that Biodiversity is a vital asset and should be looked after not only by statutory bodies but by the wider community. To achieve this wider involvement Local Biodiversity Action Plans where required to ensure that local priorities were not missed and protected for the benefit of everyone today and for future generations. Newtownabbey Borough Council has embraced this opportunity and was successful in securing 75% funding for a Biodiversity Officer to fulfil their responsibility

What Is a Local Biodiversity Action Plan?

A Local Biodiversity Action Plan sets out aims, targets and actions to protect, conserve and enhance biodiversity at a local level. The local aspect ensures that it revolves around local concerns, requiring local action involving local people and communities to achieve local results.

Why Does Newtownabbey Borough Council need a LBAP?

People may feel that Biodiversity is not a major issue in an area such as Newtownabbey due to the high urban density and low interest farmland; however, this is all the more reason to conserve and enhance what we have and provide the people who live here with an environment they can appreciate. While we do not have the Mountains of Mourne or the Causeway Coast, we do have Carnmoney Hill, which is a wildlife haven in the centre of a highly developed urban area. Also the numerous parks can effectively be home to a host of wildlife if appropriately managed. Small, seemly inadequate areas, such as back gardens, hedgerows and ponds all provide invaluable habitats for thousands of species, and all within easy reach of the people living in the area. It is important to ensure that the people in the borough of Newtownabbey have good access to local outdoor recreational activities both for the health benefits they will receive and also what they can learn from these areas. Therefore, the Newtownabbey Local Biodiversity Action Plan aims to involve the entire community in achieving an increased awareness and appreciation of wildlife and to protect and enhance Biodiversity for the benefit of both ourselves and future generations.

Through the creation of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan for the Newtownabbey area, it is hoped that:

1. Our local Biodiversity is conserved and enhanced at every opportunity.

2. This will be achieved through:

• Establishing Baseline Knowledge of the Current Biodiversity Status.
  A Biodiversity audit will be carried out to establish the current status of the Biodiversity value within the borough.
• Building Partnerships
  Many organisations work within the borough which will help develop partnerships for the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Currently the Newtownabbey Biodiversity Working Group has representatives from:
  • Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
  • Woodland Trust
  • Environment and Heritage Service
  • Northern Ireland Bat Group
  • Belfast Hills Partnership
  • Local Angling Groups
• Enhancing Public Appreciation and Awareness
• Reversing Current Loss Trends

Related Documents to Download:

Partner Commitment to Actions (10Kb)

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