An inventory of the wildlife resource in Hertfordshire was undertaken in the form of a “Phase 1” habitat survey in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Nature Conservancy Council's (now Natural England) Habitat Mapping Manual (Phase 1), (1990). This survey technique provided vital information concerning wildlife conservation, the landscape, it's conservation and use.
Fundamental to this survey was the provision of definitive data on the location of all remaining semi-natural habitats, their quality and extent, providing an accurate basis from which all sites warranting more detailed survey and more formal protection could be identified. With respect to this, one of the primary objectives of the Hertfordshire Habitat Survey was to collect information to identify all 'Wildlife Sites' within the County. The Habitat Survey has been a joint project between HBRC and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
This designation can then be used to assist Local Authorities in the planning process and many districts have incorporated the wildlife sites in their Local Plans.
With the completion of the Habitat Reports ( 1997-1999) and digitisation by HBRC of the Wildlife Sites onto a computer Geographical Information System (GIS), it is now possible to assess the extent of wildlife sites in the county. Advances in information technology will greatly assist in future monitoring of the county's ecological assets. Further information on the distribution, location and data for the wildlife sites is available from The Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre.
National and international recognition of the importance of nature conservation led the Government to publish a new Planning Policy Guidance note 9 on Nature Conservation (PPG9) on 25 October 1994. Comprehensively re-stating the Government's policy for nature conservation objectives to be taken into account in all planning activities.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are designated by Natural England under the Wildlife and Countryside Acts, 1981 and 19985 and identifying the most important sites for wildlife.
Internationally important sites have a greater degree of statutory protection. Some designations arise from international agreements to which the British Government is a signatory, with those of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) being relevant to Hertfordshire.
However, it is widely recognised that a large number of sites are of great value but have no legal protection although they contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the wider countryside. Non-statutory sites within Hertfordshire which are of district/borough or county importance for wildlife, are currently identified as 'Wildlife Sites' and are applied to sites with substantive nature conservation value. Identification of these sites is in line with the national strategy adopted by the Wildlife Trusts.
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