Manx Nature Conservation Forum

This forum was originally proposed when Bill Henderson MHK was Minister for DEFA and was 'launched' at a meeting at the Manx Museum.

The initiation of the Forum was announced by Minister Phil Gawne MHK in his conservation policy speech on World Wetlands Day - 2 February 2009:

'A Conservation Forum, with representation from all conservation and countryside groups will be able to consider the future for biodiversity including the impacts of our changing climate. I'd like to discuss with the Manx Wildlife Trust and with other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), how this might work - and what you would like to achieve through such a forum. It'll be a chance to lobby through a regular mechanism - which I hope will give more focus and develop our collective ability to preserve biodiversity on the Island.'

The Forum now meets and discusses matters of common interest, providing a formal route for communication between the Department and voluntary groups and a place for discussion between those groups. Recent topics have included priority setting, biological records, funding, government consultations, 2010 Year of Biodiversity and announcements of events.

The terms of reference may be downloaded on the right. Agendas and minutes are not currently posted on this website, so any enquiries about the Forum should be directed to the Forestry, Amenity and Lands Directorate of DEFA, who provide the secetariat for the forum.

The Manx Biodiversity website gives further information and links to all the Forum member organisations.