Eco-Logically was formally established by John Patmore in 2001 to fill the gap between those people and organisations seeking reliable guidance on issues relating to ecology of the natural environment and the statutory obligations which all too often are imposed without the positive support needed to achieve real environmental enhancement

After having worked for over fifteen years in various wildlife and conservation organisations I became aware of how difficult it can be to access high quality advice on nature conservation. Information may frequently be gathered during inappropriate seasons, with little awareness for the local situation. Eco-Logically will always aim to undertake surveys and research using locally appropriate information and experience suited to the environmental situation.

Practical experience was initially gained through woodland management in Norfolk and conserving rare plants in various woodland locations. This was followed by over ten years working with the Nature Conservancy Council and English Nature in Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Now re-named 'Natural England' this organisation is the British Government's statutory nature conservation agency. Academic background includes degrees in 'Ecology' and 'Landscape Ecology, Design and Management', with many short courses attended in grassland, heathland, wetland and woodland management.

In addition to the formal aspects of site designation and reviewing Town & Country Planning issues my primary involvement was in the Sussex and Surrey sections of The Weald. Here I was the Team Leader for the Natural Areas. This developed my specialist interest in woodland and forestry issues, including six months working with the Woodland Trust.Site Management work would focus on designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) providing support to landowners and the managing authorities. This included identifying management objectives as a basis for writing costed site management plans. Grant aid was frequently used to fund active site management and we have experience in producing grant applications and assessing suitability of submitted management plans.

Following the 'Rio Earth Summit' in 1991 and subsequent production of the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) a major opportunity existed to progress nature conservation within the local context to serve global aspirations. Across Sussex a series of biodiversity action plans have been published for particular habitats, and sometimes individual species. These will need to be embraced by all who care for our fragile environment with a commitment to implementing the action proposed in these plans.

Biodiversity Action Plans

Sussex Woodland: This Local BAP was written by Tony Whitbread and myself based on our experience of woodland conservation in England. Formally published in September 2000 the whole LBAP can be seen at:

www.biodiversitysussex.org/woodland.htm

• Promote use of long term (20 years +) management plans by woodland owners, aimed at integrating the appropriate diversity of species and structure to benefit nature conservation, including restoration of replanted areas
  
  
• Provide advice to woodland managers on appropriate management regimes for Sussex woodland, including grazing regimes and promote the management of deer in areas where they are, or might become, major limitations on the regeneration and spread of woodland.
  
• Encourage the development of woodland initiatives that provide advice on woodland establishment, management and marketing.

Species Recovery Programme
Field Cricket Gryllus campestris
  

Although this cricket has lived in England for centuries, the population dwindled to less than fifty individuals by the beginning of the 1990s. This small fragile population was surviving on an unusual area of ancient grassland in Sussex.

Close involvement with other specialists has temporarily safeguarded the field cricket. See the article I wrote for British Wildlife providing details on this interesting example of active nature conservation.

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE

Sutherland, Townsend and Patmore, 1987, "The Ideal Free Distribution with Individuals of Differing Competitive Abilities". Journal of Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology.11, 68-73

Patmore JM, 1990, “Opportunites for restoring ancient woodland following conifer plantation”, MSc Thesis, Wye College, University of London

Edwards, Patmore and Sheppard, 1996, "Avoiding extinction - the field cricket Gryllus campestris in England"; British Wildlife, 8(2), 87-91.

Patmore JM, 1997, "The High Weald - Natural Area Profile". EN, Sussex and Surrey Team.

Rose F and Patmore JM, 1997, “Weald gill woodlands”, English Nature, Sussex and Surrey Team.

Patmore JM and Wheeler BR, 2000, “Dormouse: The Weald contribution to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan” English Nature Research Report #236

Sussex Biodiversity Partnership, 2000, “Biodiversity Action Plan: Woodland”. Lewes, Sussex.

Patmore JM, 2001, “Gravetye Estate, Sussex: Conservation Survey”. Forestry Commission.

Patmore JM, 2003, “Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Brighton & Hove. A. Audit to inform a possible future LBAP” Final Report - May 2003. B&H Council Wildlife Advisory Group.

Also
Belden PA, Downer VJ, Luck JC, Prendergast HDV & Sadler D, 2004.   "The Dragonflies of Sussex – A guide to their distribution and conservation".   British Dragonfly Society (Sussex Branch) Additional species Index produced by John Patmore CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD INDEX

Formal representation to Consultation on Brighton & Hove LDF 'Core Strategy' and 'Site Allocations - issues and options' DPDs. December 2006. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REPRESENTATIONS

Environmental Change

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Brighton's "West Pier" suffered years of human neglect but became an important roost for many starlings.

Following a fire in early 2003 the starlings must roost elsewhere. They have not returned to their former roost on elms and other trees on the Old Steine lawns, so is our wildlife now deserting Brighton & Hove?

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See the 'Sussex Wildlife' page for more information...

project development

Environmental Change can result from human influence, both deliberate and unintentional.

Effective monitoring is essential to measure the results of environmental management and the impact of developments on the local environment which may be critical.