Key Theme 9 – Management of Natural Habitats

Plans for the district’s natural habitats can both assist with reducing the impact of climate change and help to reduce the level of CO₂ equivalent emissions which contribute to climate change.

By having a well thought out strategy for irrigation and water resource management, tree numbers and the density of other flora (both in terms of their role as a sponge for dangerous emissions, as well as in respect of their requirement for water). Not least a green and bountiful local environment provides a quality of life, which encourages the communities to have a greater respect for the planet’s resources and makes the target of increasing levels of walking and cycling a lot more achievable.

The Council will endeavour to adapt its maintenance of public open spaces to create more areas suitable for habitats. Woodland is seen as a key element in reducing carbon levels. In particular the lack of woodland in Thanet will be supported by the provision of new woodland wherever possible and encouraging the participation of local residents. The Council will also seek in the next five years to provide one area under its control for designation as a wildlife site with the agreement of Kent Wildlife Trust.

The Council will continue to support tree planting wherever possible in private land where sufficient space exists for mature trees and also support the Kent Wildlife Trust in local initiatives such as the Wildlife Gardening Scheme which encourages individual households to adapt their private gardens to more wildlife species by reducing chemicals, encouraging refuge points and breeding opportunities for a variety of insects and mammals.

The Council will continue to monitor the local coastline and support the work of Natural England and Kent Wildlife Trust with the Thanet Coast Project. This work will continue to support careful balances between the commercial and recreational use of the coast with the need to preserve this internationally important marine habitat. This project will continue to work on educating local residents and visitors in the natural habitat and targeting young people to realize and safeguard this resource, for which they will be guardians of for future generations.

Wherever possible the enhancement of the natural coastline will be encouraged by provisions such as the Thanet Coastal Path which provides better access but which will be linked with interpretation panels to provide better understanding of the wildlife and their habitat.

Key Theme 9 - Management of Natural Habitats

Action	Timescale	Owner
Plan to ‘sink’ more greenhouse gasses through planning for an increase in sustainable woodland in the district and the planting of trees in the urban environment.	During 2010	Paul Verrall
Increase the available woodland area for Thanet residents.	During 2010	John Hammond
Support the Dane Valley community woodland	April 2009 – March 2012	Paul Verrall
Adapt maintenance grass cutting to create more varied habitats.	Trial during 2009	Paul Verrall
Continue the work of Thanet Coast Project to support the local marine environment	Ongoing	Tony Child
Support for the Kent Wildlife Trust – Gardening for Wildlife Award Scheme.	Dec 2009	Sophie Chadwick
Creation of a local wildlife site.	Dec 2010	Paul Verrall
Promote the Free Tree Scheme	July 2009	Paul Verrall
Green Infrastructure Strategy to be produced in partnership with Dover DC.	Dec 2010	Paul Verrall