Biodiversity / wildlife

The main services we provide are:

• Advice on the ecological impact of development proposals to the County Council
• Advice to other parts of the County Council including on the management of its nature reserves and other countryside sites
  Developing and implementing biodiversity policy within the Council and Bedfordshire
• Maintaining links with a wealth of public and voluntary organisations
• Delivering the local Biodiversity Action Plan (new window) with the Beds and Luton Biodiversity Forum Supporting the County Wildlife Site system – including surveys, monitoring, conservation advice and site protection – with partners
• Conserving and safeguarding species which are rare or legally protected
• Wildlife conservation projects – with local and national organisations
• Giving general wildlife conservation advice

Contact: John Comont |

We support:

• Development of the Bedfordshire Biodiversity Recording and Monitoring Centre
• The Bedfordshire Wet Woodland and Ancient Woodland projects
• The Bedfordshire Otters and Rivers project
• The conservation of Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats and species
• The Sandpit Project (new window)

Services provided by others include:

The Wildlife Trust| (new window) for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northants and Peterborough  owns nature reserves and carries out a wide range of biodiversity work. They host the Bedfordshire Biodiversity Recording and Monitoring Centre. The BRMC collates, manages and disseminates wildlife information for Bedfordshire and Luton. The web site also hosts a copy of the Biodiversity Action Plan| (new window).

The Bedfordshire Natural History Society| (new window) encourages and undertakes the study of the county's fauna and flora. Linked to the BNHS are a number of specialist groups including Bedfordshire Bat Group| (new window) and Bedfordshire Bird Club| (new window).

Information on the Bedfordshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group is given on the Farm and Woodland Conservation pages.

Bedfordshire and Luton Geology Group encourages and undertakes study of the geology and geomorphology of the County.

Road verges are managed for nature conservation value; some of these have been designated as Roadside Nature Reserves| (RNRs). 

The following trusts work with local communities to conserve and enhance the natural environment of Bedfordshire.

The Greensand Trust | (new window)

Ivel and Ouse Countryside Project |(new window)

Bedford Borough Council| (new window), Mid Bedfordshire District Council| (new window) , South Bedfordshire District Council| (new window) are the Local Planning Authorities and have a range of other roles which affect biodiversity.

Important organisations and other sources of information include:-

Natural England (English Nature)| (new window) champions the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places in England. A Government agency, Natural England has many responsibilities. It works with a wide range of people in a variety of ways and tries to enable others by giving advice, grants and licenses.  

Environment Agency| (new window) activities range from influencing Government policy and regulating major industries nationally, right through to day-to-day monitoring and clean up operations at a local level. Areas of activity include flood defence, pollution control, town planning, farming and waste. The EA work closely with local communities to achieve results.

The Forestry Commission| (new window) is the Government department responsible for forestry policy throughout Great Britain. It's mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds| (new window) is a major UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife.

The main contact for our service is:

John Comont|
County Ecologist
Heritage & Environment Service
Bedfordshire County Council
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP

Tel: (01234) 228066 or (01933) 316986