Two seminars on biodiversity have been held for councillors this autumn. The Conservation Section organised interactive sessions at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust near Llanelli and at the agricultural college at Gelli Aur. In total 23 councillors attended the sessions, which aimed to raise awareness about the council’s biodiversity duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC 2006), discuss the work of the Conservation Section and show how the partners in the Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership work together on conservation projects.

The first session focused on the coastal wetland habitats around Llanelli and councillors were taken to see the water vole project site at Bynea and discussed the need to develop the site in a way that biodiversity is integrated.

The second session was held at Gelli Aur college and focused on conservation work in the Tywi valley. The Environment Agency, Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd and Dyfed Archaeological Trust all spoke about their work in the valley. The importance of the internationally protected river Tywi as a habitat to a number of important species was discussed with short talks on tree sparrows and little ringed plovers – both birds are dependent on the river and its valley for their survival. The Tywi’s economic value to the county was also highlighted: it is the best river in Wales for sewin (sea trout) and each fish caught is worth £4K to the county’s economy. The historical landscape importance of the valley was also highlighted with its veteran trees and parkland settings.

The NERC Act now places a duty on all public bodies: Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity. Within WAG the legislation is interpreted as taking action to enhance biodiversity as well. The duty aims to raise the profile of biodiversity across the public sector and ensure biodiversity becomes a natural consideration in policy and decision making. The councillors were shown what we do already that meets the legislation but areas were also highlighted where further consultation with other departments is required and where potential for raising awareness exists. The seminar emphasised the requirement to take action by all departments with regard to biodiversity: development, implementation and influencing local policy and strategies, planning and development control, owning and managing estates, education, raising awareness and advisory functions all can help with biodiversity conservation.

It is hoped that these sessions will enable the councillors to be ‘biodiversity ambassadors’ and raise, where necessary, biodiversity issues in the many meetings that they attend throughout the council.