• Some fundamentals of planning and biodiversity
• How can your ARG get involved?
• Planning policy and guidance
• Species and general planning advice
• Local guidance and research on species and planning
• Biodiversity action planning

Reptile Survey and Mitigation Guidance for Peatland Habitats

The guidance in this document is intended to assist in designing mitigation for impacts on reptiles during peatland restoration works.  The mitigation approaches may also be suitable for the construction phase of some developments on peatland habitats.  This guidance focuses on Scotland where peatland habitats are extensive, but could be applied elsewhere in the UK or Ireland where this habitat also occurs.  While it deals explicitly with peatlands, many of the recommendations could be followed or adapted for other habitats which may be occupied by reptiles.

This note provides advice for land owners and managers, by highlighting sympathetic management practices for adders, and identifying ways in which conflict with other land uses can be minimised.  Although written primarily for land managers, it may also be of use to other stakeholders including: conservation and statutory bodies, local authority planners and local volunteer groups

A number of our affiliated Amphibian and Reptile Groups have been approached with regard to reintroduction or genetic rescue of widespread species in their county. This has raised a number of questions, and we have drafted this guidance note to help them evaluate such proposals. We also recommend that before involvement in a local reintroduction scheme, additional guidance is sought from national NGOs and statutory agencies.

• Background
• Getting started
• The inaugural meeting and first steps
• Tips for running a local group
• Maintaining an ARG
• Special projects
• Generic Amphibian and Reptile Group constitution

• Review of amphibian disease threats
• General guidance on best practice when working with amphibians and their habitats
• Guidance on specific activities - including fieldwork at sites known to be infected
• Recommendations for training and other educational activities
• Disinfection procedures
• Investigating dead amphibians - working with the Garden Wildlife Health Project

 

• Use and limitations of the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) scoring method for determining pond suitability for great crested newts
• How to collect data and calculate the HSI
• Categorisation of HSI scores

• Choosing what to publicise
• Writing your press release
• Getting your release out
• Putting together a press release for your ARG
• Example of a simple ARG press release
• Dealing with negative publicity
• Writing letters to newspapers and magazines

• Insurance and risk assessments
• Location of your stand
• Resources for your stand
• Running the stand on the day
• Fundraising, and collecting records and other information
• Live Animal Exhibits and animal welfare considerations
• Public health and biosecurity

 

• Site Selection
• Publicity
• Before setting out
• On the day
• Handling wild animals
• Post event

 

On 25th May 2018 the new General Data Protection Regulation comes into force. This is not a new legislation, as it builds on the Data Protection Act 1998. Nevertheless, it represents an important challenge for volunteer groups, since there will be greater scrutiny of the way in which we manage personal information after this date. This means that volunteer groups like the ARGs have to take responsibility for the personal data we hold. 

The advice note sets out:

• The definition of personal data
• The implications for small voluntary groups like the ARGS
• A process for complying with the new GDPR
• Information on what constitutes a data breach