IN the same week as International Biodiversity Day, South West Lakes Trust and South West Water launched a drive to help protect wildlife around the region's lakes, including Burrator Reservoir.

The two-year biodiversity project is jointly funded by the two organisations to fulfil six action plans from the Trust's Biodiversity Action Plan.

The launch at Burrator was attended by representatives of the Environment Agency, West Devon Borough Council, South West Water, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Friends of the Trust, Volunteers, and Devon Bird Watching and Preservation Society.

Richard Smith, the project's biodiversity officer, will carry out surveys in his first year and will set management regimes for the future during the second year of the project.

This will include an action plan for otters which are present at many of the sites managed by South West Lakes Trust. The plans for this species include looking at presence and absence, use of the site and potential threats to the species.

The five habitats within the project include the ponds at Burrator, Roadford and Lower Tamar Lake which link with the 'Pondlife' Million Ponds Campaign and Rhös Pasture conservation scheme, which will help to ascertain the population of the rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly at Fernworthy and Wimbleball Lakes.

Keith Bungay, trustee of South West Lakes Trust, said 'This joint project is aimed at protecting vital species and habitats at many sites in the region and our landlords South West Water have shown their commitment to the environment by supporting this exciting project.'

Director of Regulatory Services for South West Water, Keith Richards said at the launch: 'We're extremely pleased to be working with South West Lakes Trust to manage the company's estate in an environmentally sensitive manner.

'The data gathered will help to guide and plan for the future and will also help us to understand what species and habitats we are dealing with. It will also help us to identify what resources will be required in the future to ensure protection and enhancement.'

Richard will be busy surveying at many sites over the next few months and is keen to hear from anyone who is interested in working with him as a volunteer.

He can be contacted on 01822 855700 or [email protected]">[email protected]

Representatives on the steering group, from South West Water, the Environment Agency and South West Lakes Trust, provide advice and guidance to the project officer and within the next few months news of the Project's progress will be placed on South West Lakes Trust's website http://www.swlakestrust.org.uk">www.swlakestrust.org.uk