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Published byLynette McDowell Modified over 9 years ago
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Butterfly Conservation: A summary
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Key facts Established 1968 Registered charity and Limited Co. Mission to save butterflies, moths and their habitats First President: Sir Peter Scott President: Sir David Attenborough 23,000 members (end March 14) 31 volunteer Branches around UK Over 60 staff in offices across UK
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Why butterflies and moths are important Beautiful and popular Intrinsic value Widely used symbols in art, literature and advertising Indicators of a healthy environment Diverse group: 70 butterflies and 2,500 moths in UK Indicators of invertebrates that comprise 2/3 of known land species 3/4 are declining: 45% are threatened Butterflies are declining faster than other groups: e.g. birds and plants
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Celebrity support President: Sir David Attenborough Vice-presidents
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Extensive volunteer network 31 Branches organise 2,200 events/yr £ 10 million / year
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Expert staff
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Offices around the UK
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Strong media presence
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Evidence based conservation BC runs two world-leading recording schemes: butterflies + moths Over 25 million records Over 15,000 recorders Butterflies: 3 out of 4 species declining 5 out of 60 species extinct 24 species are threatened Moths: 70% widespread moths declining Over 80 species are threatened
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Butterflies for the New Millennium Started 1993 > 8 million records ~ 10,000 recorders
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National Moth Recording Scheme Started 2006 > 17 million records > 5,000 recorders NBN Gateway Live maps
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Decline of butterflies and moths Over 2/3 of butterfly species in decline Over 2/3 of common moths in decline
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Species declining 1995-1999 49%69% High Brown Fritillary
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1995-1999 New squares 2005-2009 17% Species spreading north Peacock
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Total numbers of moths Source: Fox et al (2006) State of Britain’s Larger Moths. Butterfly Conservation. 32% decline in total moth numbers, 1968-2002
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1,000 sites monitored per week ~ 1,500 recorders UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme
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Butterflies as indicators Generalists (26) Specialists (25) 83% 54% Wider countryside sp. Habitat specialist sp.
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Effects of climate change 1995-1999 New squares 2005-2009
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Action for Butterflies and moths 73 Landscape scale projects in UK Making a real difference for many species
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Large Blue restoration programme Extinct 1969 10,000 adults 2013
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Action for Moths Focus on 52 Priority Species Dark-bordered Beauty Dark Crimson Underwing
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Landscape scale conservation 73 landscapes Key areas for threatened sp Focus effort Long term conservation Other smaller projects throughout UK
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Marsh Fritillary Dorset: return to pre-1980 number of colonies Dartmoor: big increases within Two Moors project Argyll: 3,000 ha entered into agri- environment schemes Fermanagh: major new colonies being entered into schemes Cumbria: 4 colonies restored + 4 sites being prepared
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Pearl-bordered Fritillary Wyre Forest: 49 clearings colonised New Forest: 10-fold increase in last 3 years South Shropshire Woods: Large increases at Haugh Wood and Ewyas Harold Common Morecambe Bay: 44 ha new clearings (rides, coppice etc) Tytherley Woods: 3 new sites colonised Argyll and Lochaber: advice on open woods
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Landscapes for moths Slender Scotch Burnet on Mull Grey Carpet in Norfolk Brecks
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Landscape report: lessons learnt Launch by Biodiversity Minister, Richard Benyon, at House of Commons 2012
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Farmland Butterfly Initiative Focussed on: 8 threatened sp 3 key habitats Maximising benefits of Higher Level Stewardship Scheme
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1)Structural variety in grassland sward 2) Summer nectar 3) ± Scrub (depending on species/habitat) Big 3 features (for advisers and owners)
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Phase 2: Wider countryside Aimed at Generalist species/ordinary farmland Will include measures for other insects Workshop in December 2012 Packages recommended new Environmental Stewardship Scheme in England
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Butterfly Conservation Reserves 35 sites in UK 785 ha
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Reserves for butterflies and moths Great success in conserving threatened species BC acquires reserve
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Teaching the next generation
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biggest count in the world In 4 years (2010-13) 94,000 taken part 136,000 ID charts downloaded 270,000 visited website 1.5 million butterflies recorded National media coverage Trends on common species
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The Future 2020 vision for Butterfly Conservation
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2020 vision: rationale Butterflies and moths are still declining at an alarming rate Declining faster than most other groups, so our task is both daunting and complex. Butterfly Conservation has to dramatically increase its capacity and influence over the next 10 years. The 2020 vision aims to show how we will achieve this ambitious goal.
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Butterfly Conservation Strategy for Butterfly & Moth Conservation To improve the health and vigour of our environment To contribute to the well-being and enjoyment of all To maintain and build a legacy for future generations Why? Localised speciesWidespread species Reversing declinesIncreasing numbersHalting extinctions What? Agric/mixed landscapesBuilt landscapesSpecial habitats Where? When? 2020 Vision timetable…and beyond With whom? Staff, Volunteers, Members, Supporters, Partners, Landowners, Public, Government, Funders Landscape influenceEncourage green spaceHabitat Management Land management policyParks and gardens Reserves Brown-field site mgt How? Raise Landowner awareness……raise Public awareness Habitat restoration… …habitat creation Close/frequent monitoring… knowledge, research …regular widespread monitoring Respond to climate change impacts Priorities Needs, Resources, and Gaps
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2020 vision: increase capacity Membership/supporters – target 100,000 Income – target £10 million Best use of technology Broaden our appeal Develop our volunteer and Branch base Develop staff capacity Maintain our current successes and build on them
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Membership
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Partnership working The Bromley Trust
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Building a European partnership Formed 2004 38 organisations from 34 countries European butterfly indicator www.bc-europe.eu
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European reports Grassland butterfly Indicator 50% decline in 20 years 10% European butterflies threatened with extinction
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