More than 1,000 individuals and shoots are now using BASC’s interactive online Green Shoots Mapping system which allows people to make bespoke maps of their shooting grounds and to record species and habitat information which feeds into BASC’s Green Shoots Programme.
Users are now being urged to review and update their species and habitat records on the system. The records help to underline the importance of shooting’s contribution to conservation and ultimately to inform national conservation policies.
Ian Danby, BASC’s head of biodiversity projects said: “We are asking everyone who uses Green Shoots Mapping to log on and review the areas they have mapped and for new users to start on the system. We are particularly keen for everyone to check that the species and habitat information is correct for the last 12 months. We are talking about species seen breeding in 2014 as well as species seen over the winter just gone.
“The review will set a baseline for the habitats and species found on shoots. Future reviews can be compared to that baseline to reveal what changes have taken place. Monitoring change in habitats and species is of high importance to nature conservation planning and action. Collecting this information from shoots will do two things. It will help inform conservation policy and practice while at the same time promoting the very real conservation value of shooting sports.
“The review is relevant to anyone who already has shooting land mapped on Green Shoots Mapping or adds it before 17 May. So if you have not used Green Shoots Mapping yet there is no better time to start.”
A snapshot of the information from Green Shoots Mapping will be taken on 17 May and will provide a baseline for information in future years.
Each shoot reviewed on Green Shoots Mapping will be entered in to a prize draw to win a pair of Bauer 8 X 32 HD binoculars.
For more information on Green Shoots Mapping please click here and watch the short video below:
For more information please call the BASC press office on 01244 573052 or email press@0ld.basc.org.uk