Natural Environment Group
The Solent Forum Nature Conservation Sub group was set up in 2004 its aim is:
'to provide a cost-effective mechanism to coordinate the implementation of cross-cutting nature conservation actions stemming from the many overlapping statutory and non-statutory documents'.
OBJECTIVES OF THE GROUP:
- To promote the nature conservation value of the Solent.
- To provide guidance on managing, protecting and improving our coastal environment.
- To coordinate nature conservation actions arising from Strategic Guidance for the Solent and other documents as identified.
- To support and complement the work of Natural England, Environment Agency, Local Authorities and other agencies relating to nature conservation management regimes and processes, such as coastal Biodiversity Action Plans.
- To inform the Solent European Marine Sites process.
- To identify and implement projects that demonstrate adaptive management.
- To establish a monitoring and management system that will identify gaps in baseline data, prioritise research and outline management requirements.
- To coordinate local community action focusing on environmental enhancement of the coastal zone.
Nature Conservation Indicators
The Forum's State of the Solent report contains a set of nature conservation indicators that show trend data on this topic.
Current Projects
To see the current status of the Group's projects please download the project tracking and progress document - May 2013.
- Pilot Catchment Based Approach for Sowley Pond, March 2013.
- Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy
- Solent Disturbance and Mitigation project
- Solent Alien Species Project (being developed by the National Oceanography Centre)
- Solent Seagrass Project - download 2011 Field Series Summary (pdf file). See also Hants and Wight Wildlife Trust Seagrass project pages.
