CCW Activities
Advice CCW gives advice to Government on a wide range of matters which affect the countryside. This includes threats to the environment, the impacts of developments and changes in land use, international environmental matters and new legislation. CCW also advises on the declaration of marine nature reserves, land for protection under European Union Directives and other international obligations, and land designated by local authorities such as Heritage Coasts and Local Nature Reserves.
Establishing protected areas As well as advising Government and local authorities on land which should be protected, CCW can designate several categories of land to protect and conserve wildlife or landscape. These include National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest as well as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. National Trails are mapped out and negotiated in the first instance by CCW. Protected areas represent the jewels in the crown of the Welsh environment. But CCW's conservation responsibilities transcend these boundaries and cover the whole of Wales. Wales has 70 National Nature Reserves, three National parks, five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and Sites of Special Scientific Interest cover around 12% of Wales. About 70% of the Welsh coastline is protected.
Most SSSIs are privately owned and occupied, and through discussions and management agreements CCW attempts to ensure that the wildlife value of sites is retained and enhanced.
Protecting rare species Rare and threatened animals and plants are protected by law so that they are not disturbed or destroyed. But sometimes people may need to disturb these species, and CCW advises and issues licenses for individuals and organisations including for example, photographers and research scientists.
Promoting everyone's enjoyment of the countryside Part of CCW's remit is to improve opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside. By working closely with local authorities and other organisations, improvements have been made to the system of public paths. CCW has also been working on establishing a Wales Coast Path which is to be officially launched in May 2012.
Health and well being
Working with others CCW works with others on joint projects. Local government is one of the closest partners. Other partnership projects range from joint educational activities to major engineering projects to regulate water levels on wetlands. Many projects are funded by CCW grants, enabling others to use their special skills and understanding of local communities to carry out environmental tasks on our behalf.
Research and survey
Read more about this topic: Countryside Council For Wales
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