Statement of Action
Statement of Action for implementing the Prison Service Biodiversity Action Plan
The Prison Service has always recognised the need for responsible stewardship of its estate and has therefore endeavoured to manage its land holdings in a sympathetic and sustainable manner. Working closely with statutory bodies such as English Nature, the Prison Service will aim to :-
Partnerships
build on existing, and develop new, partnerships to progress the development of site management strategies and prescriptions for certain key species and habitats;
seek to build on its central partnership, encouraging English Nature, the Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB to actively recognise local projects within the community that develop worthwhile, positive training and educational opportunities for prisoners;
support and recognise the importance of the Butler Trust Award Scheme in its new award for greening / sustainable development initiatives;
Management of key habitats in the UK BAP
highlight the location and extent of the key habitats within its ownership in partnership with the Service’s Chief Estate Officer, Land Registry and designated partnerships;
compile Habitat Action Plans with designated partnerships to maintain and, where possible, enhance the areas of key habitats within its ownership;
review and report with designated partnerships on its progress on a biennial basis;
Management of key species in the UK BAP
highlight the location and extent of the key species inhabiting the land in its ownership;
compile Species Action Plans with designated partnerships to protect and, where possible, enhance the key species inhabiting its estate;
review and report with designated partnerships on progress on a biennial basis;
Management of designated sites
maintain and, where possible, enhance the value of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) in its ownership by managing them appropriately and sensitively;
agree management plans and statements for each of the SSSIs in its ownership within Stage 1 of the PSBAP in consultation with designated partnerships;
implement these management plans at establishment level and formally review the progress on a biennial basis;
Management of existing and potential biodiversity sites
re-evaluate the habitat survey of its sites to establish their existing conservation value in consultation with designated partnerships;
assess the potential of its sites to contribute to biodiversity targets;
initiate at site level links from local PSBAP’s into designated partnership county BAP’s in support of their objectives;
review and report with designated partnerships on progress on a biennial basis;
Promotion of and education in biodiversity
report progress on implementation of the PSBAP at meetings of the Service's Sustainable Development Working Group and within annual Prison Service reports;
include biodiversity issues in the “Greening Matters” newsletter and the newsletter for “Farms and Gardens with Wildlife in Mind”;
encourage at relevant establishments the training of prisoners in rural and countryside skills which directly benefit the promotion of biodiversity; and
encourage local partnerships through designated partnerships specifically in the area of community biodiversity projects.
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