Biodiversity gains

 

Boost for Overseas Territories nature conservation

 

JNCC staff on a visit to Turks and Caicos Islands with staff from the TCI Natunal Trust © Dr Eric SalamancaNew projects to protect rare plants and wildlife in some of the world’s most remote places are being backed by an extra £150,000 funding from Defra.

 

The schemes, part of JNCC’s support for nature conservation in the Overseas Territories, include support of the Turks and Caicos Islands government’s habitat mapping, and a contribution to the Tristan da Cunha government’s monitoring of seabird populations.

 

Additional projects include:

 

  • investigating priority invasive species projects;
  • identifying geoconservation priorities;
  • assisting with the development of local expertise. This includes an Overseas Territories Research and Training Programme scholarship, managed by the UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) Training Programme.

 

Peter Bridgewater, Chair of JNCC, commented: “Contributions towards projects such as these help them to become a reality, rather than being on our ‘most wanted’ list. It is gratifying to have Defra understand the importance of this work in furthering our championing of biodiversity worldwide.”    

 

Tara Pelembe

Overseas Territories Officer

Tel: +44 (0) 1733 866919

Email: