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Press Releases - September/October
2007
Item 6
No. 2007/10/73
October 2007
John Gummer calls UK Businesses to
take up the
Business Bird Challenge
The Rt. Hon. John Gummer MP has launched
the BTO – British Energy Business Bird Challenge 2008 –
the competition to find the country’s best industrial and
commercial sites for birds.
The Challenge
The British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Business Bird Challenge
has been held every two years since 1994. The scheme recognises
the sensitive management of industrial sites across the country,
which is reflected in the diversity and remarkable number of bird
species using these sites. It provides an opportunity for the Commercial
and Industrial sectors to publicise their conservation efforts,
the flourishing partnerships that exist within local communities,
and benchmark their initiatives against those taking place at other
commercial sites throughout the UK.
The 2008 Challenge will be sponsored by British Energy, the UK’s
largest electricity generator supplying around one fifth of the
UK’s electricity. The company owns and operates eight nuclear
power stations, and a coal-fired power station, which have all taken
an active part in the BTO Challenge for a number of years.
The Launch (photograph available)
The BTO British Energy Business Bird Challenge was officially launched
by the Right Honourable John Gummer, MP for Suffolk Coastal, on
Monday 15 October at British Energy’s Sizewell B nuclear power
station.
Sizewell B, the UK’s only pressurized water reactor, is surrounded
by a diverse natural landscape including 12 miles of public and
permissive paths owned by British Energy and managed in partnership
with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Back in 2004, eagle-eyed staff at Sizewell B scooped first prize
in the BTO award for power companies. With 150 species spotted by
staff around Sizewell B the station picked up top spot, while British
Energy’s Heysham Power Stations and Gale Common site, near
its Eggborough Power Station, were not far behind.
The company’s active management of the estate, in partnership
with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, had a huge impact on the success.
Highlights spotted during the Challenge included three Little Egrets
and two Spoonbill, a Rough-Legged Buzzard and a Bean Goose.
Rt. Hon. John Gummer (MP for Suffolk Coastal)
With Climate Change currently at the forefront of environmental
action by industry, it is important for us to acknowledge that for
years many companies have been putting great efforts into maintaining
and enhancing the conservation value of their own landholdings.
I hope that companies across the UK will get involved in the BTO
– British Energy Business Bird Challenge to celebrate their
contribution to the conservation of birds and biodiversity and take
advantage of this opportunity to share ideas and experience.
MORE>
Dr Nick Carter (BTO Director of Development)
BTO Business Bird Challenge brings together industry and commerce
with the environment sector. Awards enable business effort to be
rewarded, and recognize the wonderfully rich and varied wildlife
sites that can result from business success. I welcome the generous
sponsorship from British Energy for the 2008 Challenge and urge
businesses across Britain to rise to the Challenge and register
their sites!
Brian Dowds (Station Director of Sizewell B Nuclear Power
Station)
Sizewell B sits on one of the most picturesque stretches of coastline
in Britain and, as a company, it is important we do not lose sight
of the responsibility we have in protecting the environment around
us. The BTO – British Energy Business Bird Challenge is one
of many ways we can maintain the balance between the heavy industry
of generating electricity via nuclear power, and the diversity of
nature and wildlife living beside our site. We are delighted to
not only be taking part but also to be sponsoring the 2008 Challenge.
Kate Aldridge (Challenge Organiser)
It is crucial to the success of Challenge 2008 to have the support
of a company with an established commitment to managing their landholdings
for biodiversity. British Energy sites have won awards in all three
of the Challenge categories Conservation, Community and Bird Species
in recent years. Competition in the last Challenge was fierce and,
as more business sites invest in conservation and in their working
relationships with conservation charities, the competition will
be just as stiff in Business Bird Challenge 2008.
A chance to show that your company values local wildlife
and its community
It is possible for every business to have an impact on biodiversity
and improve their sites for bird life. Even measures such as changing
a mowing regime can cause a dramatic increase in the number of birds
using a site. Add to this some shrubby cover and some weedy corners
and you have a perfect habitat for many species. The companies entering
are divided into ten groups, reflecting the size and range of participating
sites. Businesses as diverse as major aggregate and water companies
to research stations and commercial sites all have an equal chance
to win awards. These are judged under three categories: Conservation,
Community and number of Bird Species using the site.
The winners of the Challenge 2006 are listed on the BTO website
at www.bto.org.
Notes for editors
- The BTO is the UK’s leading bird research organisation.
Over thirty thousand birdwatchers contribute to the BTO’s
surveys. They collect information that forms the basis of conservation
action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 80 at its offices
in Norfolk and Stirling, who analyse and publicise the results
of project work. The BTO’s investigations are funded by
government, industry and conservation organisations.
- Images of birds are freely available for use in association
with this press release. Please contact
to request an electronic version.
- The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.
For further information please contact:
British Trust for Ornithology
Kate Aldridge or Graham Appleton on 01842 750050 or e-mail:
British Energy
Martin Pearce on 0207 266 8390 or e-mail:
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