Adder Conservation Programme secures funding
We are pleased to announce that a partnership led by wildlife conservation NGO Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK), with the Cannock Chase National Landscape Partnership, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the local volunteer-led Shropshire and Staffordshire amphibian and reptile group, SAS ARG has been successful in securing funding from DEFRA’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme to find out more about the status of the adder on Cannock Chase, and collectively develop a programme to help conserve one of our most iconic native animals.
During the first phase of the project, starting in the Spring of 2024, a survey and monitoring programme will be established to collect and collate records for adders across Cannock Chase and its environs. We would be grateful for any historic records or other information that local residents or visitors to the area may have, that will allow us to better map the distribution of adders, and where possible target survey areas where little is known or there are gaps.
If you would like to find out more, join our survey team or have any other comments please contact Dr Angela Julian, Coordinator, ARG UK
Long term monitoring programmes show that the adder (Vipera berus) is declining rapidly across many parts of the UK, and faces local extinction in many counties. This pattern of declines is mirrored on Cannock Chase where, despite being widely considered to be a historic ‘adder stronghold’, there is evidence to suggest that populations may be vulnerable.
Whilst many land managers are working hard to support wildlife on their sites, to decisively reverse these declines we need to act at the landscape level, to understand how adders are using the landscape and what factors are affecting them. We also need to conserve adders through habitat improvement and by increasing connectivity. We are pleased to be able to recruit many of our local land owners to the project including: Beau Desert Golf Club, Cannock Chase District Council, Cemex, New Hayes Farm, Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Country Council, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, and The National Trust (Shugborough Estate). The project is also supported by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Forestry England and Lichfield District Council.
See website for ARG UK here with further details.
Image from Kevin Clark
