A new chapter in the UK
Dr Carol Williams, director of Conservation at the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), was invited as a guest speaker to the MPA meeting of its Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Group and new ways to work together were examined.
She introduced the group to the world of bats and the threats and opportunities to their future conservation, and presented the group with a wide range of ways in which MPA and its members could support this vital conservation work to reverse the serious decline all UK bats have undergone.
A great deal of interest was shown by the group and a number of possibilities were explored, heralding a promising start to future partnerships. BCT and MPA are looking forward to exploring further how future collaborations will work.
Carol Williams commented: “I would be delighted to see shared AIMS bringing our working relationship closer together to the benefit of all involved - and who knows, maybe bats will be a feature of future MPA biodiversity awards.”
David Payne, senior planning advisor MPA, said: “We are delighted to be working with the BCT and, with our members, will be exploring opportunities to deliver practical measures to help conserve and enhance bats on both working and restored sites.”
