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The 'Marsh Fritillary' link on the left of the page will take you to a piece describing the proactive efforts of the Cumbria Branch to save the Marsh Fritillary from extinction in this county. The 'High Brown' link takes you to a page relating the efforts taken to conserve the High Brown Fritillary thanks to money made available from Landfill Tax via 'Grantscape'.
Conservation Priorities and Objectives
Overall our objectives and priorities are of course in line with those of Butterfly Conservation nationally i.e. we are dedicated to saving butterflies and moths in the wild in their natural habitats.
To achieve that in Cumbria we also have local objectives and local priorities. Here is a list of our objectives and priorities currently identified and a brief comment to say what is being done about each.
Increase branch membership we are offering free membership for a year to potential new members. This is being promoted during talks, meetings and slide shows plus any other way we can. We will also consider media promotions and similar publicity.
To conserve firstly our high priority species we have a massive Marsh Fritillary reintroduction programme ongoing. We have just started our Morecambe Bay Limestone Woodlands project having been able to secure funding for four years through both HQ in Dorset and very significant donations from several branch members. This aims to restore woodland habitat to benefit High Brown and Pearl Bordered Fritillaries.
To conserve our medium priority species the woodland work we are doing will be tailored to help many other woodland species. We are also heavily involved in trying to save Small Blue habitat in West Cumbria. In upland sites we are aware of some threat to Mountain Ringlet habitat and we are monitoring that.
To be aware of any threat to any of our butterflies or their habitat in Cumbria this involves being aware of Planning Applications and taking action where deemed necessary.
Involve branch membership in actual conservation management encourage attendance at vital work party sessions.
Butterfly and moth recording encourage members to take up either transect recording or local patch recording and send in their records for the county and national databases.
Work closely with landowners, farmers and other natural history and conservation organisations since Cumbria Branch was established we have improved the profile of Butterfly Conservation locally. We also feel that it is vital to work alongside others if we are to identify and succeed in achieving common objectives.
Education something we need to improve on locally but which will be increasingly important.
Any other constructive and achievable ideas from members or readers are very much welcomed.
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