Nature Conservation

On most of our contracts, we work in partnership with our clients who are responsible for the design and specification of the nature conservation services to be delivered.  However, some of our clients are now looking to outsource the management of parks and countryside and are therefore looking for their contractor to take responsibility for designing the landscape and specifying the maintenance operations.  We can therefore divide our nature conservation activities into landscape maintenance and landscape management.

How the Landscape Group will protect or enhance biodiversity as a maintenance contractor

Even if we do not design the landscape or specify the operations, we take full responsibility for the manner in which we operate.  As a minimum, The Landscape Group commits to the following:

During contract mobilisation, our contract manager will establish from our client the location of any sites of particular nature conservation interest, especially designated sites.

Through toolbox talks, our contract manager will ensure that all employees are aware of the locations of sensitive sites and their obligations under the WLCA through simple do’s and don’ts.

On larger contracts (£1 million+), we will become corporate supporters of our local Wildlife Trust.  On contracts where there is a high proportion of nature conservation work, we will commission

 external training on specific techniques and awareness - usually from the local Wildlife Trust.

We will be proactive in suggesting more wildlife-friendly ways of working to our clients.

We will listen to and actively engage with Friends’ Groups and local Wildlife Groups so that we are aware of areas of local wildlife importance and support volunteers wherever possible.  This may involve the loan of equipment, the offer of transport or the active participation in conservation activities.

As part of our Carbon Reduction Plan, we will offer to plant native tree species under our Employee Tree Scheme to offset our carbon and to increase local biodiversity.

How the Landscape Group will protect or enhance biodiversity as a management contractor

Where The Landscape Group is responsible for the management of parks and open spaces, our responsibility to protect wildlife and observe statutory designations becomes significantly higher. 

In these circumstances, the Landscape Group will employ an ecological specialist, either directly or through a consultancy arrangement to ensure that it and its clients deliver high standards of nature conservation.  Depending on the contract, this may include biodiversity monitoring, the drawing up of management plans and the management of conservation volunteers.

Examples

The Landscape Group delivers 43 substantial term maintenance contracts across England, and many of these contain sites of high wildlife value, or are adjacent to areas of nature conservation interest or

designated sites. In particular, the following of our contracts require us to work carefully and sensitively with the client conservation officers and conservation volunteers.

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (sites of conservation interest are: Waterworks Nature Reserve, Walthamstow Marsh, Tottenham Marshes and Bow Creek Ecology Park).

Stroud District Council – Stratford Park.  On this contract, our Contract Supervisor Mike McRea carries out significant community engagement and compiles a regular biodiversity newsletter.

Sefton Council at Ainsdale, Southport (a Europa 2000 Special Area of Conservation) is one of only two sites in the UK with a significant population of Natterjack Toad.

Bristol City Council – we are working with our client Bristol City Council and Bristol University to pilot wildflower verges – this is a project where traditional amenity grass mixes are replaced with low maintenance wildflower mixes.  The benefits to be delivered include lower maintenance costs, higher visual/aesthetic value, safety (in terms of less maintenance visits and no pesticide application) and higher value for insects.