New Agreement Forged Between Environmental Organisations
Today, Monday 22 February 2010, will see
Wildlife Trusts Wales (WTW) and the Countryside Council for Wales
(CCW) set out plans of working together to create an environment
rich in wildlife for Wales and its people, through the signing of
an innovative partnership agreement; a Concordat.
Derek Thomas, Chair of Wildlife Trusts Wales - the umbrella body
for the six Wildlife Trusts in Wales - and John Lloyd Jones, Chair
of CCW, will sign the Concordat. It identifies areas of mutual
benefit and sets out an agreement of joint working and
collaboration. The Concordat will be underpinned by a three year
grant agreement.
Some examples of collaboration include:
- Working together to deliver a range of educational and
community projects, volunteering opportunities and student
placements so people understand, care and value their natural
environment.
- A joint approach to managing some Sites of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) with the aim of stopping the loss of
biodiversity.
- Seeking to empower The Wildlife Trusts to make recommendations
on planning applications related to local wildlife sites.
- Sharing resources and information where possible, whilst
working together to maximise income-generating opportunities for
the environmental sector.
Derek Thomas, Wildlife Trusts Wales’ Chair, said:
“The Wildlife Trusts in Wales and the Countryside Council for
Wales have long aspired to the same aims of achieving a healthy and
diverse environment. Although this Concordat is the conclusion of
one long journey, it also represents the start of a new and
productive one. It brings together the six Wildlife Trusts in Wales
and CCW, forging a closer working relationship. One better suited
to achieving our common aims. Putting people at the centre of their
environment is a vital part of our mission and we believe this
Concordat will help enhance the quality of life of the people of
Wales.
“It is particularly fitting we sign this agreement in 2010, the
International Year of Biodiversity.”
John Lloyd Jones, CCW’s outgoing chairman added:
“We face huge environmental and economic challenges in these
forthcoming years, and so the ability for our organisations to work
together, share costs and innovate becomes even more vital. This
partnership also supports the Welsh Assembly Government’s ambition
for more public and third sector collaboration.
“As I retire from my time as CCW’s Chairman, I am delighted that
one of my final tasks will be to sign off a key partnership
agreement with the third sector. This is the first Concordat for
CCW and for The Wildlife Trusts across England and Wales, so I know
that this innovative approach will be closely watched. Indeed, it
could provide a blueprint for public and voluntary bodies in the
environmental sector for the future.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
- Meinir Wigley, CCW Senior PR Officer: 07720
428644.
- Liz Shankland, Press & PR Manager, Wildlife Trusts
Wales: 07970 780558.
Invite to photographers:
- Photographers are welcome to attend the signing of the
Concordat. Derek Thomas (Chair, WTW) and John Lloyd Jones (Chair,
CCW) will sign at 3pm on Monday 22 February, in the Marriott Hotel,
Cardiff.
Notes to Editors:
- The six Wildlife Trusts in Wales work together for an
environment rich in wildlife for everyone. With a membership of
25,000, they manage 230 nature reserves in Wales, covering more
than 6,000 hectares of prime wildlife habitat from rugged coastline
to urban wildlife havens.
- The Countryside Council for Wales is an Assembly
Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where
everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More
information about our work is available on www.ccw.gov.uk