Environment Act () 2016 – Section 6 Biodiversity Duty Report Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

Period covered: April 2017 – March 2018

The information provided below provides a basic account of works undertaken to maintain and enhance biodiversity, by the National Park Authority. This information will be used to inform the Authority’s first report to demonstrate compliance with Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act. Section 6 Reports will be due every 3 years, with the first one due in 2019.

Background: The Environment Act (Wales) 2016 Part 1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources is in place to sustainably manage Wales’ natural resources and tackle the effects of climate change. The Act enshrines the UN Convention of Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach into legislation and strengthens the biodiversity duty. The objective of the SMNR is to maintain & enhance the resilience of ecosystems and the benefits they provide, and in doing so meet the needs of present generations of people without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Halting & reversing the loss of biodiversity is integral to this objective.

Section 6 under Part 1 of the Environment Wales Act (2016) introduced an enhanced biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty (Section 6 Duty) for public authorities. The duty requires that public authorities must seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity so far as consistent with the proper exercise of their functions and in doing so promote the resilience of ecosystems. Public authorities are required to provide a report by the end of 2019 to show what it has done to comply with the new duty and then every 3 years after this date.

The works reported below are interlinked with several key legislative and strategic drivers:  Environment Act Wales (2016)  Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015) goals, specifically: A resilient Wales - a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic, and ecological resilience and capacity to adapt to change  The Nature Recovery Action Plan for Wales (2015) (and in turn development & delivery of BBNP Nature Recovery Plan)  BBNP National Park Management Plan (2015-20) Theme 2: Conserving & Enhancing Biodiversity (& commencing review and related preceding State of the Park Report)  BBNPA Corporate Plan 2018  Review and preparation of the next Rights of Way Improvement Plan for the Park

 Review and preparation of the next Local Development Plan  Area Statements affecting the Park due by 2019 (mid-Wales, SE Wales, South-Central, South West Wales)

National Park Officer Contributors: Bradley Welch (Senior Ecologist) Bridgit Symons (Planning Ecologist) Lora Davies (Education Administrator) Helen Roderick (Sustainable Development Officer) Paul Sinnadurai (Natural Resources Manager) Rebecca Price (Ecologist) Suzanna Jones (Interpretation Officer)

Confirmation of bits in red/additional details needed from Access Officer, Wardens Manager, Comms Assistant (web & social media)

BBNPA Key Work Actions contributing towards the goal: ‘Maintain & enhance Planned Action Staff initials and Area biodiversity’ 2018 - 2019 BBNPA Operational Area (April 2017 – March 2018) Planning (P) Natural Resource Management (NRM) Sustainable Development (SD) Public Engagement (PE) Support (Finance, Democratic services, IT, HR) CEO/Director Heritage Gunpowder Works Project – worked collaboratively with conservation partners Gunpowder Works Project – Ecology RP – NRM/PE to ensure built heritage objectives do not conflict with the biodiversity Volunteer group trained and ready sensitivities of the site. Worked in partnership with The Woodland Trust to to undertake biodiversity monitoring undertake baseline survey of Ancient Woodland Indicators and set up on site. monitoring plots with volunteers. Association of National Parks Society’s Annual Conference (April 2018) – Multiple operational hosted and organised by BBNPA, providing range of opportunities and to areas involved showcase different areas, activities and projects within the NP, including biodiversity-rich sites. Landscapes & BBNP Local Nature Partnership – co-ordinated meetings to discuss and agree BBNP Nature Recovery Action Plan - Biodiversity priorities for NRAP and achieve a wide spectrum of partner support. document finalisation and initiation BBNP Nature Recovery Action Plan – development of draft plan and support of programme of delivery, co- . Acting directly to for partnership, draft SMS Expression of Interest. Co-ordination of partnership ordination of partnership (utilising benefit landscape meetings. Securing copy of LBAP data previously hosted on BARS (BARS now WG monies as seed funding to & biodiversity (inc closed). support these goals). Integration activities and Wales Biodiversity Week 2017 – publication through Facebook posts and with Area Statement process and All partnerships on inclusion of education team work with schools. Wales Nature Recovery programme. BBNPA land – focal External biodiversity partnerships – continued attendance and support as Hydro Scheme – undertake sites) relevant to a number of partnerships include Wales Biodiversity Officers, botanical monitoring and provide neighbouring Authority NRAPs, Long Forest 2, BIS Support Group, BWT update for planning.

. Research partners, Conservation Committee, Llangorse Lake Advisory Group, Usk & Wye Bat Mynydd Du/Meithrin Mynydd – surveillance, Group, LBAP, Wye Catchment Partnership. support NRW Special Sites Officer monitoring Biodiversity partners project development support – Long Forest Wales (part with updated Phase 1 Habitat Survey . Collaboration with of which includes part of NP), Plantlife IPA Invasive Plant Autumn Red Grouse Counts – key land managing survey (project group member), Kew National Tree Seed Collection Project annual counts on Mynydd Isaf and partners………. (seed collection at Henallt), Carmarthenshire Bumblebee Project, Butterfly the Hatterrall Ridge. Conservation Surveys. Wales Biodiversity Partnership – input to all Wales Officer meetings, Nature Recovery Plan Task & Finish Groups. Management advice on non-NPA owned land – fielding ecological queries from Continued provision of ecological RP- NRM members of the public, landowners for land management, INNS, wildlife id advice, support for NP Ambassadors advice. programmes. Engagement & celebration of biodiversity – Promotion of Park’s biodiversity via Ambassadors and Geo-Ambassadors Programmes. Ecology support for Student Work Experience Week. Helped trial Volunteers Ambassador Training. Support for pilot Wildlife Ambassadors Training Programme. Management of BBNPA Estate, including: Llangasty Caeau Ty Mawr – deliver RP-NRM Planned conservation work completed on SSSIs. management works, finalise SSSI Llangasty Caeau Ty Mawr – support for Site Steering Group, review of Tenancy management agreement with NRW. and Rental agreements, legal updates, delivery of suite of habitat management actions in line with Site Management Plan and as part of NRW Partnership Ongoing management and Funding. Investigating possible Section 16 SSSI Management Agreement. Caeau monitoring works. Ty Mawr Condition Monitoring and water vole monitoring with NRW. Henallt Common – continued input into annual site management programme to safeguard SSSI key features. Pilot grey squirrel control on site (staff attended squirrel control training course). Mynydd Illtud – continued containment of Crassula helmsii, management of NPVC wildlife garden and pond. Red Grouse Counts, heather condition monitoring on BBNPA land – annual grouse counts on Hatterrall Ridge & Mynydd du, with volunteer support. Summary of grouse numbers and relationship to heather data presented to Wardens, DMT, CMT, Members?? Predator control - licencing implemented.

Path repair maintenance/ongoing conservation works ……at various sites….major ones in 2017-18 included?...Central beacons, Neuadd path, Black Mountains, Blorenge, Offas Dyke?? Major Projects: Wales Peatlands Project SMS – assisting with implementation of 10 project Wales Peatlands Project SMS – PS - NRM outputs, most of which will affect and benefit peatland conservation in BBNP; continued implementation of BW - NRM particular assistance with Outputs 3 (peatland restoration sites), 4 (PES outputs candidate sites) and 7 (peat restoration accreditation scheme); representation Waun Fignen Felin – another year of on Steering Group; attendance at Peatland Code workshop. peat restoration Waun Fignen Felen AMP6 Project Implementation – first year of practical Mega-catchment – uncertain what works completed (bare peat protection, shallow gulley dams, Sphagnum our input will be; seems to have propagation) plus archaeological desk assessment completed. stalled Brecon Beacons Mega-catchment – DCWW workshops to develop concept, Research and research partnerships representation on Steering Group (JA); WaterSource conference. – decision to be made about the Research and research partnerships – new agreement signed with UoSW; two future viability of research multi-agency research workshops completed; several letters of support partnerships owing to volume of provided to CU, UoSW and Swansea for their research council/trust work required and future strategic applications; some successful, some not, leading to post-graduate research in priorities; will affect an outline the Park. commitment for a 2019 research Waterfall Country SLA with NRW – year 2 completed, at a net cost to BBNPA. conference 20,000 ha: access to BBNPA-owned and managed sites – numerous requests Waterfall Country SLA – will present for access including for purposes affecting biodiversity (e.g., bat surveys, cave NRW will full cost recovery each exploration). year; need to escalate the Black Mountains Land Use Partnership (BMLUP) – To be extracted from Brad’s commitment from UAs and NRW BMLUP report. Access to BBNPA-owned and managed sites – as required but BBNPA needs to commission a Brecon Beacons Non-native Invasive Species Project – funding secured and strategic plan for the land assets Project Officer appointed (Beverly Lewis). Project Officer will work with other Black Mountains Land Use projects and organisations to develop an invasive species partnership approach Partnership SMS – continued and looking at how invasive species can be managed long term on a long term implementation of outputs, aim to basis. Pilot project for surveying and controlling Invasive non-native plant secure Project Officer role.

species in the Usk and Tawe river catchments. Presence at Llanthony Show Brecon Beacons Non-native Invasive used to help highlight INNS work. Species Project – continued delivery of project outputs, determine future funding mechanisms Data collection, management & use – assimilation of red grouse and heather Continue to monitor restoration NRM monitoring data with assistance of volunteers. Use of NPA photo app where works and habitat management appropriate to support monitoring programmes. across BBNP - e.g. Northern scar, Upland path condition surveys? Waun fach, Waun Figne Felin, Ongoing visitor number data collection and analysis. Hatterrall Hill and Mynydd du burn National Parks survey & monitoring aspirations - Active participation in areas, bracken control areas). discussions on GMEP/ERAMMP proposal. Targeted ground truthing of peat Support for BIS Local Biological Records Centre – continued financial support extent and depth. through member SLA and contributions towards their publically available digital Continued support for BIS services, data access system. Input to BIS Support Group (Brad Welch), Board of partnerships and research queries. Directors (Ian Rowatt), LERC Wales Steering group (Paul Sinnadurai). Continued use of BIS data to inform decision making on natural resources in BBNPA. Promotion of BIS services (e.g. Aderyn) and wildlife recording to staff, partners, ambassador, volunteer and student networks. Research support – support for BSc, MSc, PhD students undertaking research within the Park. KESS studentships secured in conjunction with USW. Assistance to postgraduate researchers seeking information. Support to researchers, biological recorders looking to record on/organise group visits to NPA land. Support for other partnerships– examples include: Chair for Waun Figne Felin steering group. Secretariat for Meithrin Mynydd grp. Secretariat to Local Access Forum. Support, input at graziers meetings across the NP. Consultation responses/other works: Updated Welsh legal framework - RP - NRM NRW Forest Design Plans – organised staff presentation to support NPA Contribute to compliance with Well- consultation response. being of Future Generations and Glastir Woodland Restoration and Creation - consultation responses co- Environment Act and reporting. ordinated by ecology team.

Glastir – continued to input into discussions on Glastir activity and other Glastir woodland consultations - conservation issues with other Welsh Parks. Continued BBNPA Glastir responses National Grid pipeline - Paper to NPA to review sign-off of pipeline aftercare using a streamlined approach. and reinstatement process. In conjunction with other Welsh NPs; provide response to new Land Management Programme to support Welsh farmers post-Brexit, replacing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Resilient Ecology Team Volunteers - support for Cardiff University PTY student and RP - NRM Communities regular office volunteer. Wales Nature Week – series of nature themed articles provided for Facebook . SDF grant – throughout the week. supporting BBNPA Ambassador programmes – biodiversity element included in the biodiversity programme. Pilot Wildlife Ambassador Scheme. objectives Upland & Central Beacons Volunteer Groups - continued to deliver programme . Volunteer of works with local biodiversity sensitivities in mind. programme Ongoing support for developing volunteer programmes and opportunities with . Trainee schemes & NRM team. mentoring Development of Health Walk along along Monmouthshire-Brecon Canal (Step Launch of ‘Step by Step’ health walk. PE . School groups & by Step) – in partnership with Canal and River Trust, and NRW. Includes other learners associated children’s nature treasure hunt leaflet (Brecon Canal Basin). . Events, training Sustainable Development Grant (SDF) – biodiversity and connectivity is as one SD days of the priority funding areas for 2017-18. . Wales Nature SDF Awards with biodiversity outcomes supported included support for the Week support Black Mountains Volunteers, Eco-volunteering at MIND, and Talgarth PAWS . Interpretation restoration. . Media, press Interpretation - Completion of interpretation plan – one of interpretative Interpretation – delivery stage of SJ - PE stories… themes is Natural Heritage (Biodiversity). Posters produced to inform visitors biodiversity interpretation about Himalayan balsam control, National Park Visitor Centre. School groups and other learners LD - PE

7550 learners for the April 2017-March 2018 period of which 1440 received the biodiversity message in Welsh. Work Experience week in July involved 9 students aged between 15-17 years. The students spent three days carrying out practical conservation work at the Gunpowder Works site with one half day session involving a visit from an ecology specialist who introduced the students to the ecology of the site – in particular, the Celtic rainforest nature of the site and stand out species; a discussion via tour of the issues facing the ecology and relationship between the tree and field canopy and finally the group undertook some practical survey work. Wales Nature Week 2017 messages promoted to learners, assisted by WBP free merchandise. Media annual website/social media stats? Sustainable Biodiversity and Planning - continued provision of first class planning Continued provision of first class BS - P Economic biodiversity advice to applicants, developers and planning officers. planning advice. Development Continued involvement with development of Marsh Fritillary Project as part of the Enviroparks S106 agreement. . Biodiversity Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements; Planning approvals granted planning advice, with wildlife fully accounted for. Completion of HRA screening reports when HRA screening, EIA required. Ecological advice provided on EIA screening and scoping. Processing screening of Hedgerow Regulations applications and enforcement. Use of BIS data to . Visitor/tourism inform planning decisions. initiatives . LDP review…… LDP review – initial advice provided to Review team. LDP review – advice and input as PS - NRM required

Leadership/ NPA Members & Staff Training Days - NRM team continue to disseminate Member Training Days NRM Accountability/ relevant information on biodiversity and the sustainable management of PE Policy/ natural resource to members, staff and partner organisations. Topics including; Finance Environment Act & Well-Being of Future Generations Act. NRM Team - reviewed strategic priorities, by way of 3-year NRM strategic plan. Ensured compliance with LDP Nature Conservation policies, environmental legislation and relevant Welsh strategies. Co-ordination of press releases, social media posts etc. - to support communication of key environmental messages associated with delivery of projects and activities reported above.