Game and Gamekeeping
Today, there are some 5,000 full-time gamekeepers employed in the UK. In addition, there are many who spend their leisure time and money, rearing game and maintaining habitats on their own small shoots.
Dorset Green Shoots
When BASC was in discussion with the South West of England Regional Development Agency in 2005 they showed interest in our Green Shoots programme, especially with the success demonstrated by Green Shoots on the Somerset Levels. The result was they provided funds for BASC to run the survey phase for a project in Dorset in 2006. The survey went out to BASC members in the area and asked for details of where they were shooting and what species and habitats of conservation concern occurred there.
The survey generated some amazing results:
- 1,184 sq km of land surveyed
- This is equivalent to 43% of the land area of Dorset
- Over 17,000 new records of species and habitats created by BASC members
- 88% of members gave BASC permission to share the records with our partners
Many of the members who provided information to this survey are engaged BASC’s SITA Trust funded project on water vole conservation.
If you were part of the survey in Dorset, thank you. The data provided is being used to help conservation effort and in so doing promote the role of shooting sports in maintaining a healthy environment.
Related pages
Green Shoots
Green Shoots People know that our countryside, and the wildlife it supports, is under increasing pressure – but how much more pressure would there be without the influence of shooting sports? Nearly £250 million is spent on conservation every year. BASC strives to have this recognised by politicians, the media
Green Shoots in Northern Ireland
Green Shoots in Northern Ireland Protecting the red squirrel BASC NI is concerned that the native red squirrel is in decline across Northern Ireland, and that the decline is linked to the spread of the non-native grey squirrel. Under the Green Shoots programme, protecting the small populations of reds has
