An example of the benefits which shooting brings to conservation has been recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation’s (BASC) Green Shoots programme which supports, encourages and delivers conservation projects in Wales and across the UK was identified as an example of sustainable land management by the National Assembly for Wales’ Environment and Sustainability Committee.
Nick Thomas of Natural Resources Wales said: “Green Shoots is an excellent conservation project which has focused the attention of BASC members on what they can do for endangered wildlife and habitats across North Wales. Both ourselves and BASC are committed to natural resource management and work together to improve the rich biodiversity and natural heritage of Wales. The work done so far includes a number of positive conservation projects which have enhanced habitats for species as diverse as newts, dormice and bats.”
Tim Russell, BASC’s director of conservation said: “Politicians, civil servants and society all know how important a healthy environment is. BASC’s Green Shoots programme shows how shooting benefits the environment at the landscape scale, creating better habitats and linking them together. This provides wildlife with the flexibility it needs to adapt and thrive. I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly understands that the sustainable land management carried out by people that shoot is central to the future of wildlife in Wales and across the UK.”
The Green Shoots project was recognised by the committee after it was presented with a selection of case studies that showed sustainable land management schemes in action.