BBRC was created in 2011 by Barnsley Council to collate ecological records to help conservation of valuable species and habitats in the borough.

(BBRC Celebration Event)

Barnsley Council work in partnership with professional and amateur ecologists to collect and add survey data onto the database. The information is then passed on to developers and other land managers to ensure local wildlife is considered whenever any decisions are made to make sure the borough’s animals, plants and habitats are protected. This information is also used to inform science on a local and national level.

Cllr Roy Miller Cabinet Spokesperson for Place joined BBRC’s independent steering group members in Elsecar Park and Local Nature Reserve as they gathered new data to add to the collection. The group then went on to Elsecar Heritage Centre to celebrate all the data they have contributed since 2011.

Cllr Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place said: “Uploading 200,000 records in just six years is an outstanding achievement.

“I’d like to thank the local nature conservation community that have given their time to help us build this very important collection. It is essential for us to gather this information as it supports all decision makers in the borough to make sure our native wildlife is protected now and in the future.” (Barnsley council, 2017)

The DVLP are contributing to this growing figure via its ‘Surveying the Dearne’ programme led by community officer Roseanna Burton working in partnership with groups such as Sorby Natural History Society. Members of all skill levels, ages and backgrounds are bought together to share their love for natural history and local biodiversity via a wide range of survey and Identification training workshops, specialist recording days and field visits. To date the project has contributed around 2000+ new records in the last two years and trained over 350 people. To submit your local wildlife records please click HERE.

(Below, Roseanna from the DVLP team with expert naturalist Derek Whiteley of Sorby Natural History Society, cutting the celebration cake)