Natura 2000 Site Management Case-study | Sefton Coast, UK


	Ambassador profile
	Name:	John Houston
	Function:	Biodiversity Project Officer, Sefton Coast Partnership
	Country:	United Kingdom
	E-mail:	john.houston(at)leisure.sefton(dot)gov.uk
	Tel:	+44 (0) 1519 342 967


	Organisation profile
	Organisation:	Sefton Coast Partnership
	www:	www.seftoncoast.org.uk
	E-mail:	info(at)seftoncoast(dot)org.uk
	Tel:	+44 (0) 1519 342 967
	Established:	1978
	Category:	Voluntary Partnership
	Number of staff:	No full time employees. Support given by Sefton Council and other partners.

	Site profile
	Site name:	Sefton Coast (also part of Ribble and Alt Estuaries)
	Location:	Sefton, Merseyside, UK
	Land area:	SAC 4,564 ha
	Nearest urban settlement:	Liverpool to south, Southport in north.
	Natura 2000 ID:	SAC UK 001 3076 (also part of SPA UK 900 5103 Ribble and Alt Estuaries)
	www:	www.seftoncoast.org.uk
	Annual visitor count:	Total c. 1,4 million across all sites.
	Majority of visitors from:	Liverpool and Merseyside conurbation, North West England
	Site description:	Sand and mud flats, sand dunes, dune heath (also saltmarsh and freshwater grazing marsh).

Priority species
Species code	Latin name	Common / local name

	Triturus cristatus	Great crested newt Annex II
	Bufo calamita	Natterjack Toad Annex IV
	Lacerta agilis	Sand Lizard Annex IV
	Petalophyllum ralfsii	Petalwort Annex II

	Priority habitats (* indicates priority habitats)
	Habitat code	Common / local name

	2130*	Fixed Dunes (Grey Dunes)
	2150*	Atlantic Decalcified Fixed Dunes

	Stakeholder profile

	Stakeholder activity in the management planning process:

	Stakeholder group	activity level
	Stakeholder group	hi ← → nil
	Local Government
	Central Government
	Scientists
	Private landowners
	Green NGOs
	Private sector
	Private individuals
	Foresters
	Farmers
	Port authorities
	Anglers
	Hunters
	Recreational groups
	Other: Civic societies

	Stakeholder success stories

	Forest Plan Development of a Forest Plan for the woodland area –over 20 landowners involved in management of over 450 ha.

	Beach Management Plan Development of a Beach Management Plan for the area involving a wide range of stakeholders –and a zoning plan.

	Nature Conservation Strategy Development of a nature conservation strategy based on Eurosite management planning guidance.

Photo credit: Sefton Coast Partnership

	Communication profile
	Activities and products for the communication of Natura 2000
	Events
	✓Workshops ✓Action plan meetings ✓Exhibition ✓Guided visits
	Event frequency
	✓At least once per week
	Use of seasonal workers / volunteers
	✓Yes
	Kind of work / volunteering opportunities
	Various –from regular time commitments (rotas) to ad-hoc presence. Volunteers help with guided walks, patrolling, site clean-ups, practical work etc
	Communication literature produced
	✓Magazines / periodicals ✓Other: Explanation given in management plans.
	Communication target groups
	✓Stakeholders ✓Local community
	The organisation has a dedicated communication strategy for Natura 2000
	✓No
	Site involved in joint working / networking
	✓Yes
	Details of joint working / networking activity
	Currently involved in Interreg III project Coastal Practitioners Network Led to development of Quality Coast initiative Plans underway for Interreg IV involvement Informal links over many years with managers in Netherlands and Belgium.-occasional visits.

	Site management profile "Development of an integrated nature conservation strategy for the Sefton Coast"

	Key site management issues:
	Coordinating the work of land managers following principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Seeking to balance the interests of sea defence, nature conservation and recreation Developing long-term sustainable actions for the management of dunes, heaths and woodlands Maintaining public support for management work Information, communication and research
	Integration of Natura 2000 in overall site management:
	Most of the area is covered by the Natura 2000 designation. Natura 2000 interests are set within the wider management of the coastal area and people’s use of the area.
	Key site management objectives:
	To develop a nature conservation strategy for the Sefton Coast which takes account of statutory and non-statutory conservation interests, the range of land uses and land ownership and the views of local communities. To reassure the local communities about the large-scale habitat restoration works (removal of plantation woods to restore open dune habitat) proposed by the Government agency, Natural England. The local authority (Sefton Council) view was that such projects should be seen within the context of the SAC as a whole (2000 ha) not a single site. The project addressed the need to respond to coastal erosion, the value of restoring wetland habitats and the value of restoring dry dune habitats.
	Stakeholders targeted as part of management action:
	Landowners Land managers Local politicians and authorities Government agencies Voluntary organizations Local communities Specific interest groups and members of the public.
	Description of work carried out / methods and methodology:
	A step-by-step approach was taken to developing shared solutions to the problems, following Eurosite guidance documents. Work began on the strategy in late 2005. An Issues Report was prepared to stimulate discussion on the management of the coastal area. A series of working groups were convened to discuss specific topics. These were supported by field visits and further workshops. This led to the adoption of a list of ‘features’ special to the area, some of these are Natura 2000 habitat types, others reflect additional local interest.
	Results of action and activities:
	A draft nature conservation strategy and biodiversity delivery was prepared by June 2007. This will be published for further consultation so that a final strategy can be approved and endorsed by the partners by April 2008. The strategy is holistic; it includes the management of the Natura 2000 features, alongside less natural features such as plantation woods, agricultural land and ditches and also addresses landscape and cultural heritage. The strategy sets landscape and nature at the heart of work of the partnership whilst supporting plans for improved access, tourism development, education and economic use of the land. The draft strategy has been published and stakeholders will have an opportunity to become involved in ongoing discussions. The Sefton Coast Partnership will consider how to establish a permanent communication mechanism and forum for nature so that local people can feel more engaged in debates about management and can become more involved in practical work.
	Indication of budget allocation for these tasks:
	The main cost was that of the Project Officer’s time. The whole process will take about two years, of which consultation is a key element.

	Financial overview

	European funding:
	Funding included LIFE (1995-1999) (Life) Interreg II and III (Connecting European Regions) ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development)