Ironbridge power station in Shropshire has an established Environmental Management System (EMS) and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). The site is next to two important natural locations, Benthall Edge and Tick Wood, and the most significant risk to local biodiversity is the potential for dust to be blown across. At Devils Dingle, we've restored about 100 acres of ash disposal land to woodland and grassland. The species listed on our UK BAP that have habitats affected by discharges of water and run-off are the water vole, European otter and great crested newt. There are no International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List species with habitats significantly affected by discharges of water and run-off. The only water sources and related habitats that are affected by our withdrawal of water, discharges of water and run-off are the River Severn and its banks.

Ironbridge's 2007 Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) actions

We intend to:

• Complete the review of the station BAP. Re-assess the species and habitats in the light of the Shropshire BAP review (reported 2006) and UK BAP review (reported 2007)
• Carry out a plant survey of limestone grassland, to the rear of the chimney stack in conjunction with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust to assess any changes since the last survey in 1999
• Survey and assess the population of great crested newts on the main power station site
• Complete the installation of a further barn owl box at Devil's Dingle
• Maintain the balance between the scrub and rough grassland at Devil's Dingle
• Create a lagoon at Devil's Dingle as part of the ongoing restoration plan
• Promote the conservation work at Devil's Dingle to station employees via e-mail and posters
• Work closely with local conservation groups to further the restoration plans for Devil's Dingle

Other local initiatives:

• We held a public summer bat walk at the Buildwas nature trail in conjunction with the Shropshire Bat Group. 25 members of the public and 10 bat group members attended. We saw and/or heard all five species of bat found around the trail
• We also held three joint E.ON/ Shropshire Wildlife Trust conservation task days at Devil's Dingle with volunteers from our station Team and the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust. Lots of practical work was done and some good links were forged
• A wildlife survey day with some Wrekin Forest volunteers helped everyone to put into practice their plant and animal identification and survey skills