Europe, British Crown Territories and Overseas

Particularly through our association with the Societas Europaea Herpetologica’s conservation committee (SEH) and the IUCN we have promoted and co-ordinated conservation work on amphibians and reptiles throughout Europe.  We have worked closely with the Council of Europe providing significant support to the Amphibian and Reptile Expert Group of the ‘Bern Convention’ on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Habitats.  Through these associations we have been involved with the production of action plans for some of Europe’s most threatened herpetofauna.  We have also used our influence in Europe to effect positive conservation in the UK.  Perhaps most noticeably the success of Recommendation 67 through the Bern Convention has identified some specific actions needed to further the conservation of Dorset’s heathlands.

Influencing European Policy

• In Europe the Trust supports the work of Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH) and provides representatives to attend meetings on their behalf. 

• SEH is a member of a European Non-Governmental network of environmental organisations called the European Habitats Forum (EHF - see Downloads), which is actively engaged in working with the European Commission, and notably the Directorate General for the Environment (DG Environment) and the member States of the European Union at a European level. 

• The Trust provides representatives for this network, and in particular with regards to work on species protection through the EC Habitats Directive and specific input on herpetofauna issues – such as the pan-European designated sites network (‘Natura 2000’). 

• Again through the SEH’s conservation committee, The HCT has had a long involvement with the Council of Europe’s Convention on the conservation of European species and habitats (the ‘Berne Convention’).  We have promoted conservation measures throughout Europe, looking at amphibians and reptiles and their habitats through this convention and as a leading member of the ‘Herpetofauna Experts Group’. 

• Through the Berne Convention and the European Commission we have promoted the development of European Species Action Plans and, on contract to the Berne Convention via SEH, have authored species action plans for five European priority species.

We are a member of the European Habitats Forum which provides input directly to the EU’s Environment Directorate (DG XI).  Accordingly we have been able to use this forum to provide input to, and gain feedback from, the various Biogeographic Zone meetings at which the Natura 2000 series was discussed.

We have worked closely with the Duchas, the Heritage Service in Eire, helping with the conservation of Natterjack Toads in County Kerry. 

We are keen to develop our involvement in the Channel Islands  and other UK Crown Dependencies.  We have supported the development of the action plan for the Agile Frog in Jersey and have good links with Jersey Zoo.  We see further scope for developing our involvement in the UK Overseas Territories and Sovereign bases, largely by providing a UK based specialist organisation that can assist action by local groups and individuals.  We are developing our contacts with the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum who provide a valuable network to support conservation work in the Overseas Territories.