Phase 1 Progress

Phase 1 progress

NARRS Phase 1 is the project design and development stage needed before NARRS can be implemented nationally. The HCT is coordinating Phase 1 in 2006/7, with funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, English Nature and Countryside Council for Wales. Phase 1 involves many other organisations. In alphabetical order, these are currently the ARG UK network, Association of Local Government Ecologists, British Herpetological Society, Countryside Council for Wales, English Nature, Environment Agency, Froglife, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, National Biodiversity Network, National Federation for Biological Recording (for the Local Records Centres), Pond Conservation, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Wildlife Trusts.

NARRS Phase 1 was set up with generous funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, under its Environment Programme, specifically the UK Biodiversity category. Matched funding came from EN, CCW and the HCT.

*The aims are to:*

	Establish partners’ and stakeholders’ shared objectives
	Agree methods and approaches
	Determine sampling strategies and protocols
	Investigate the benefits to people
	Produce a public involvement strategy
	Determine delivery mechanisms and logistics
	Design management structures
	Determine training needs
	Develop funding arrangements

Phase 1 is developing the protocols needed for making scientifically robust conservation status assessments, and to establish ongoing monitoring programmes of these. It is also promoting ancillary research aimed at improving population assessment techniques. Phase 1 will also develop a strategy for recruiting and involving people in monitoring herpetofauna, identifying the broader social benefits, and explaining how we can use these opportunities synergistically to raise awareness and appreciation of herpetofauna. Phase 1 will end with the production of a project design document for the implementation of NARRS Phase 2 – the full roll-out of the monitoring programme – including programmes of social inclusion and publicity, a funding partnership, and funding bids.

*Through wide consultation and establishment of a broad consensus, Phase 1 will:*

	Establish surveillance methods and strategies for all amphibian and reptile species in the UK, deriving the best conservation status assessment and monitoring protocols possible at present.
	Identify social benefits and opportunities for people involvement, determine the size and nature of the volunteer network needed, investigate novel recruitment ideas, and produce a public involvement strategy.
	Produce a comprehensive project design document with delivery mechanisms, management structures and costings for implementation of Phase 2.
	Investigate funding opportunities, develop funding partnerships, and construct appropriate bid(s).

Through the spring and summer of 2006, various aspects of the project have been running concurrently. As well as consultation and research exercises, we have been running pilot surveys for widespread reptiles and amphibians, to develop workable protocols. An update on these is available here: 2006 pilot surveys page.

Check this site to follow progress as the project develops throughout 2006, ready for national roll-out in 2007. To get involved in recording now, and in amphibian and reptile conservation in general, join your local Amphibian and Reptile Group (www.arg-uk.org.uk). To register your interest with NARRS, please click here.