Published date: 30/07/2015
Press Release
July, 2015
Notice on behalf of
The Deer Initiative for England and Wales
The Deer Initiative signs up to the Climate Change Accord.
The
Deer Initiative (DI) has signed up to the Climate
Change Accord: a Call for Resilient Forests, Woods and Trees. This Accord
arose from work initiated by the English Climate Ready Support Service and Forestry
Commission England in 2014.
Peter
Watson, Executive Director, said: “We are
delighted to sign up to the Climate Change Accord as the (DI) and our Partners
recognise the importance of climate change and the need for adaptation. I believe that a collaborative approach at a landscape scale is key to achieve the
aims of the Accord.”
The
DI’s own objective for a sustainable deer population in England and Wales plays an
important part in woodland protection. We work collaboratively with our 25
Partner organisations and landowners to achieve deer management through Best
Practice.
We
carry out impact assessments and provide the tool kit and training for
landowners to carry out their own assessments. This gives them an evidence base
which can be used in management plans to reach their woodland objectives.
We
recognise that regeneration is important for the continuation of woodland
regrowth and that at high densities deer can damage trees and woodlands which
is a food source and habitat not only to themselves but to other species such
as butterflies and nesting birds.
Deer
management benefits may not be recognised in the short term but we believe that
working collaboratively towards a sustainable deer population with contribute
to a sustainable woodland.
END
Notes for editors:
About Climate Change Accord: A call for Resilient Forests, Woods and Trees
This Accord arose from work initiated by the English Climate
Ready Support Service and Forestry Commission England in 2014, as a response to
the threats to forestry and woodlands set out in the UK’s first Climate Change
Risk assessment. The Accord provides an English perspective on climate change
adaptation and represents the sector’s contribution to the first National
Adaptation Programme. A series of meetings involving a wide range of
stakeholders led to the drafting and ultimately to agreement of the vision in
the Accord. It should be read in conjunction with the Adaption in Action
statements prepared by a large number of sector organisations. These highlight
specific approaches being taken or planned in respect to the common vision
highlighted in this Accord.
The Deer Initiative
The
Deer Initiative is a broad partnership of statutory, voluntary and private
sector interests dedicated to ‘ensuring the delivery of a sustainable wild deer
population in England and Wales’ (www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk). The Partners include such diverse organisations as the
RSPCA, RSPB and The Highways Agency. All the members of the Partnership abide
by the principles of the Deer Accord and encourage others to share their
commitment and priorities as an integral part of their management of deer.
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For
further details contact our Media Office:
E-mail:
media@thedeerinitiative.co.uk