About The Worcestershire Wildlife Recorders
Harry Green MBE
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the Worcestershire Recorders is to encourage biological recorders to come together to celebrate the county’s rich wildlife and to share their knowledge and understanding. Members are encouraged to add records of all species both to the local Biological Records Centre database and national recording schemes, and to write up their studies in the journal Worcestershire Record. The intention is that data will enhance knowledge of the species present, enable changes in populations to be followed, and provide information for wildlife conservation.
Worcestershire Record was originally created as the journal and newsletter of both the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre (WBRC) and Worcestershire Recorders and production is overseen by the Worcestershire Recorders Committee. The first issue appeared in November 1996. It is issued twice a year and has developed into a natural history scientific journal.
History of the Worcestershire Wildlife Recorders
The WBRC was founded in 1978 with staff funded by a government grants scheme aimed at providing work for unemployed graduates. The new WBRC was the responsibility of Worcester City Council and based in Worcester at sites associated with Worcester Museum. When this funding ended, the WBRC was able to continue, thanks to a small band of naturalist volunteers. After prolonged negotiations, responsibility for the WBRC was passed from Worcester City Council to the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) and it moved to the Trust’s headquarters at Lower Smite Farm in 1995. The Trust has housed and supported the WBRC ever since. After the move to permanent quarters the day to day operation of the WBRC was undertaken by volunteers: a small dedicated team working at the new office and a large support group of local naturalists.
Eventually the WBRC became an independent Company and Charity accommodated at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s HQ and Simon Wood was appointed manager. Thereafter the main funding was provided by Natural England, Worcestershire County Council, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and others through Service Level Agreements and grants. Further important income came from the sale of site data to consultants usually associated with planning projects. The WBRC is not a membership organisation so Worcestershire Recorders was created as a WBRC support society funded by its members who, at the beginning, were the hitherto Supporters Group of the WBRC.