We now have
funds to develop the project:
Press
release :
1st
December LAPWING
soars with Lottery support.
The Launceston Area Parish Wildlife Group (LAPWG) is launching its new £42,000
LAPWING Project with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Since 2002,
enthusiasts from 5 parishes around North Cornwall have been learning about and
helping to record, plants and animals that they see in their gardens or on
visits to other areas in their parishes. These records have helped to provide
experts at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust with a detailed picture of the local
wildlife – not only the high profile species such as otters and bats, but also
commoner species, such as sparrows and rabbits, which are often under-recorded.
Now the group has received support from the Your Heritage Programme to develop a
new web-site and database, and adapt the approach so that it can be applied to
other areas, initially in Cornwall and Devon. The “Lapwing” Project will include
the Tavistock Local Group of Devon Wildlife Trust and explore the involvement of
other local community groups – the Launceston U3A Wildlife Group and North
Petherwin Primary School.
Brian Stringer, the founder of the Group says “the LAPWING Project will have
support from Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts to develop the approach for
other groups to adopt and show that taking an interest in wildlife can be useful
and enjoyable.
Anyone with an interest but only basic knowledge can
still provide really valuable information about wildlife in their own local
area. The
existing parishes have demonstrated this by contributing nearly 1/5th
of all the mammal records held by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Training
opportunities provided by the award will help members to improve their recording
skills and help us ensure their efforts make a difference to the conservation of
our local environment.”
Brian is keen to involve as many people as possible. “This is a 2-year project,
starting December 1st 2006. During the second year, we will be
presenting talks to interested communities to show how they can become involved.
In the mean time we encourage groups to contact us, so we can keep them informed
of progress.”
Victoria Whitehouse, Conservation Manager at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said,
“It is great news that this group has received funding from Your Heritage to
further its work. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust is keen to support the work of
the group in getting people involved in observing and enjoying their local
wildlife and green spaces.”E
Emma Richardson from the Devon Wildlife Trust added
'As part of our work to help wildlife adapt to climate change we are encouraging
people to tell us about the wildlife in their area, so this project is a great
way for people to get involved and do just that.'
