Hampshire County Council

• The County Council is producing a comprehensive Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan to further develop initiatives and broaden the understanding of biodiversity throughout the authority.
  
  
• A biodiversity action plan for the minerals industry is being developed in association with the Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework
  
  
• Hampshire County Council has initiated and is overseeing a project to track the success of development control in conserving the county’s biodiversity
  
  
• Many habitat management advisory projects have been established, including Hampshire Grazing Project, the HLF funded Heathland Project, and New Forest Life 3 Project.

Contact: david.pape@hants.gov.uk

Woodland Conservation

In partnership with the Forestry Commission, Hampshire County Council have employed a Woodland Officer to act as a focus for woodland conservation and management activities

Contact:jonathan.rau@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire Heathland Project

The Hampshire Heathland Project is part of English Nature's 'Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage' programme and is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This 5 year partnership, led by Hampshire County Council, is working to restore 75% of the degraded heathland in Hampshire outside the New Forest. It is hoped to recreate at least 200 hectares of heathland that has been lost to forestry plantations or natural regeneration of trees, and to increase the area managed through conservation grazing.

The Project also aims to promote a greater understanding of the ecology, management and important cultural history of Hampshire's heathlands.

Contact: heathland.project@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire Grazing Project

The Hampshire Grazing Project is a joint Hampshire County Council and English Nature initiative that encourages appropriate grazing of conservation sites throughout Hampshire. The Project works with private landowners, graziers, local authorities, volunteer groups and other organisations and -

• Provides a central contact point for conservation grazing in Hampshire
  
  
• Runs the Hampshire Grazing Forum (open to anyone involved in conservation grazing)
  
  
• Offers free advice on grazing of conservation sites
  
  
• Locates suitable stock and graziers for site managers and vice versa
  
  
• Provides capital grants for works to facilitate grazing (e.g. fencing or water supply)

Contact: damian.offer@hants.gov.uk