Welcome
About Us
Founded in 1981 Durham County Badger Group (The Group) exists to protect and study the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in its natural habitat with the purposes of ensuring its long term safety. We also educate the public about the threats the badger is subjected to from roads, persecution and land development.
The Group members are volunteers from all walks of life, located in all parts of our operating area, who support the aims of the Group.
The Group activity roughly covers the geographic areas between the rivers South Tyne/Derwent and the Tees, across to the Cumbrian border. It includes County Durham, the boroughs of Darlington, Gateshead and South Tyneside in addition to the City of Sunderland. We are happy to give advice across county borders where there isn’t an established badger group.
The Group is financially independent, supported by a variety of fundraising activities.
The Group activity is supported by a Constitution administered by a number of officers appointed at the AGM held in November. The Group is a full member of the Badger Trust.
WHAT WE DO
- Record the distribution and status of badgers and their setts and maintain a comprehensive database currently standing at c1000 records.
- Monitor setts regularly and record details of badger activity.
- Survey “new” areas for the presence of badgers.
- Assist the Police, RSPCA etc in respect of criminal activity relating to badgers or their setts.
- Advise and provide information to Planners and Council Ecologists.
- Comment on planning proposals in relation to badgers, their setts and foraging areas. We also comment and make suggestions on any recommendations/mitigation made by the developer’s agents.
- Advise on the repair of setts which have been subject to attack.
- Lobby MPs and other decision makers to improve their understanding of the risks to badgers, their setts and habitat.
- Attend country fairs and similar events to promote badgers and the activities of the Group.
- Deliver talks to a wide variety of groups (eg Police, cubs, WI, schools)
- Regularly meet to share information and discuss activities, occasionally inviting speakers to inform/discuss a wide range of conservation topics.
- Respond to press/TV/radio queries and articles.
- Participate in projects (eg Biodiversity Action Partnership, Northern Badger Crime Forum, FERA research, Coastal Watch).
- Attend conferences and meetings to develop knowledge and skills and contribute to the wider conservation agenda.
- Develop relationships with other agencies, to be a point of contact in relation to badgers in our area (eg Durham Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, local ecologists, Naturewatch Foundation).
- Oppose the badger cull.
- Oppose the use of all snares.