Mammal Society Chair, Prof. Fiona Mathews joins new government bat conservation panel

Natural England has appointed an all expert panel to aid bat conservation in the UK. The panel which includes Mammal Society Chair, Prof. Fiona Mathews, will help shape the future of bat conservation, provide a forum for ideas and ensure that an evidence based approach is used to secure better outcomes for bats and stakeholders. 

 

The panel encompasses a range of 10 individuals across academic, commercial and NGO sectors and is chaired by Natural England's Chief Scientist, Dr Tim Hill. Collectively, they bring a strong background of research and achievement in bat conservation to enable the government to remodel the bat reform programme as well as develop consensus and collaborative partnerships.

 

The members of the panel are:

• Professor Kate Jones - Professor of Ecology and Biodiversity, University College London
• Professor Paul Racey - Emeritus Professor, University of Aberdeen
• Dr Matt Zeale - Research Associate and Lecturer, University of Bristol
• Professor Fiona Mathews - Professor of Environmental Biology, University of Sussex
• Dr Stuart Newson - Senior Research Ecologist, Population Ecology & Modelling, British Trust for Ornithology
• Dr Carol Williams - Director of Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust
• Paola Reason - Technical Director, Arcadis
• Jean Matthews - Former Mammal Ecologist, Natural Resources Wales. Retired.
• Dr Stephanie Wray - President of CIEEM, Partner at Tyler Grange
• Dr Peter Shepherd - Partner at BSG Ecology

Bats are currently protected legally by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Habitats Directive and Conservation of Species and Habitats Regulations. However, the number of license applications for bats is much higher than any other species received by Natural England and questions are being asked on whether this leglisation is effective and also what impact it has on stakeholders.

Whilst national monitoring data presently suggests that populations of most bat species are stable or increasing, technological advances have developed enormously in recent years as has knowledge of bat ecology, making it much easier to paint a clear picture of the current status of bats in the UK and how they are faring. It is therefore vital that this knowledge is effectively cultivated to lead the way in bat conservation for the future.