In October 2007 we took part in the annual Biodiversity for Business forum run by the Essex Biodiversity Project, an informal partnership of more than 40 organisations and individuals across Essex committed to preserving and enhancing biodiversity across the county.

Following on from the forum we are now discussing opportunities to help the Essex Biodiversity Project with an ecological enhancement along the Pincey Valley, to the south of the airport.

This project would enable the Pincey River to be returned to a more natural state and offers the potential to attract otters and other wildlife to the site as well as meet a number of Essex and UK biodiversity action plan commitments. More news on this during 2008.

In addition to this work, we have continued our survey and on-site management work this year. Specifically we worked on:

• Compilation of the second Stansted biodiversity monitoring study which we aim to share with our key stakeholders during 2008
• Monitoring of amphibian populations in the ponds at Stansted Airport in 2006 and 2007, the results of which were provided in the baseline report for the second runway Environmental Statement. One new great crested newt pond was found
• Monitoring of specific habitats for their breeding bird and invertebrate assemblages in 2006 and 2007, the results of which are presented in the baseline report for the second runway Environmental Statement. The ponds in the Habitat Recreation Area Northside stand out as the highest quality for invertebrates of all the ponds assessed.  Some of the car park balancing and water treatment ponds also show good quality habitats for invertebrates
• Managing Eastend Wood SSSI according to the agreed management plan
• Managing Airport land with wildlife in mind where it does not conflict with safety objectives, eg removal of scrub from the Fen as part of the management plan to reduce water loss and restore the fen habitat.

More on... biodiversity

Issues and approach
Our plans