320 shoots have now signed up to the British Association for Shooting and Conservation’s (BASC) Green Shoots Mapping programme, a secure online system that records species and habitats of national importance found on land managed for shooting.
The programme, created in 2012, asks BASC members to provide detailed information about the wildlife and habitats found on their shooting land. This information creates a picture of the environment which is valuable to conservation. BASC can use the information to develop projects which contribute to national and international conservation goals.
Green Shoots Mapping now covers 600 square kilometers of land. 3,700 species records and almost 1,300 habitat records have been made. The most regular species recorded include woodcock, barn owl, lapwing and brown hare. Almost 90% of users are allowing their records to be shared with conservation partners and this provides a powerful statement of shooting’s conservation value.
Green Shoots Mapping also allows members to create individual maps which they can download and share. Members are making maps of their game shoots so people know exactly where drives are, where there are safe routes on and off mountains and saltmarshes or to confirm the boundaries of their shooting land.
Ian Danby, BASC’s head of biodiversity projects, said: “It is very encouraging to see the numbers involved in our Green Shoots mapping programme on the rise. Members taking part in Green Shoots provide BASC with the evidence that shooting makes a huge contribution to conservation as well promoting the link between healthy environments and shooting sports.”
For further information on the Green Shoots mapping programme please contact Ian Danby on 01244 573024 or click here