2005 - Communicating the Pan-European Ecological Network - ECNC

There is evidence of an active dialogue between such government departments, government agencies, thelandowners and NGOs. Several respondents acknowledged the fact that generally there is good communicationbetween the majority of stakeholders, but that they could work more effectively together than they donow. There was optimism that if all of the relevant stakeholders “came to the table’’, including theGovernment, then a solution or a way forward for implementation of Ecological Networks would be foundand that a strength in UK policy was the ability to create effective partnerships, particularly at the local level.Whilst on one level there is considered to be a lack of integration of sectors and a lack of integration ofgovernment departments, it is acknowledged by respondents that there are partnerships and links betweenorganisations, particularly where day-to-day work of one organisation is directly affected by theother. Communication is lacking where there is less direct contact between organisations. BiodiversityAction Plans and Local BAPS have provided the opportunity for improvements in communication in naturepolicy, between organisations particularly at the ground level. One respondent supported current communicationlinks, “I think that in the UK the ecological network will emerge on the ground, we are good atcreating partnerships.”Government agencies have involved stakeholders in projects that have happened on a local scale includingtheir national representatives such as the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), generally when appropriate.The NFU respondent thought that there was an adequate dialogue between them and the governmentagencies and that when it was necessary the agencies would come to them. Relevant government agencies,with the responsibility for the environment, generally have good communication with those sectorssuch as conservation NGOs or farmers with whom they need to get involved to carry out policy deliverables,that are on their priority list, on a practical day-to-day basis. This includes communication not only ona “same level” basis but also communication on a less frequent basis, connecting to the higher level e.g.agency to agency communication on a frequent basis with formal, planned meetings involving agencygovernment departments.The Forestry Sector (including the Forestry Commission and NGOs such as the Woodland Trust) is seento have been active in the concept of ecological networks and have driven this concept forward throughvarious research papers and policy work. Whilst much work has been done on ecological networks, thissector highlights the fact that the Forestry Commission, as a government department, is not as integratedas it should be with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the governmentdepartment responsible for nature protection and environment. Therefore if government departments withsimilar responsibilities have barriers then it was recognised that reaching departments that are not so obviouslyconnected e.g. Department of Transport or Health would be a much bigger challenge.Government agencies may involve stakeholders by promoting their work on ecological networks throughvarious types of instrumental communication such as brochures, leaflets, reports and also through exhibitions,telephone helplines and internet sites. All of the government agencies have formal stakeholderconsultation processes where stakeholders can provide feedback on intended plans or protected areas orproposed developments.Research Activities on Ecological NetworksIt was considered that research projects that have been carried out on the implementation of ecologicalnetworks, for example, the LIFE-ECONET project in Cheshire, should be greater promoted and disseminated.It was thought that the results of projects such as these, when valuable to policymaking, could beused and further developed and that this was seen as an important next step.This LIFE–ECONET project was carried out in numerous countries, including Cheshire (England), andimplemented an ecological network concept at the local level, it is well recognised in the UK and was citedas an example by all respondents. However many respondents did not know how it would develop further,or had not been advised as to any potential next steps, even those that may have had some type of involvementin the project. This perhaps underlines the importance of communicating research effectively inorder for it to be actively linked to policy development.40