EDITORIAL
SPRING 2006

In recent years, most meaningful research into environmental and ecological subjects has been done at research stations like Monks Wood - a name with which most White Admiral readers will be familiar. This sort of work is generally governmentfunded, through organisations with changing names and fluid hierarchy. At present, Monks Wood is one of nine sites belonging to CEH, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, which in turn is part of a larger structure known as NERC, the Natural Environment Research Council. Recently announced plans to cut NERC funding have created a major scare amongst scientists and naturalists whose work is informed by scientific research, mainly because they envisage the complete closure of four of the research stations and a staff reduction from 800 to 600. Monks Wood is scheduled to close within four years and the highly specialist staff, people like Tim Sparks, who spoke at the 2005 SNS conference, and Nick Greatorex-Davis, who collates and analyses all the butterfly transects for the national Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, will be invited to make the expensive move to Wallingford in Oxfordshire, or lose their jobs. It is one thing for NERC to say that the Biological Records Centre will remain a top priority, but clearly the departure of key staff could have a dramatic impact. £45m of taxpayers' money is being provided to carry out the restructuring! CEH has been incurring a year on year deficit over the past two years of about £1.2m. It will take many years before the £45m is recovered, particularly in view of the negative impacts the downsizing and restructuring will have on CEH's ability to deliver high quality science as cost effectively as at present.
The closing date for public consultation was 15th February but as naturalists, recorders and conservationists, it is still not too late to make our MPs aware of our feelings. An Early Day Motion sponsored by Peter Ainsworth MP has so far attracted 87 signatures from members of all parties.

On a more cheerful note, spring is here! It’s time to blow the dust off the pooters and identification guides and get out into the field again. Juliet Hawkins has worked hard to prepare a bigger and more varied Field Programme for members to enjoy this year, and we hope to see more members participating. The programme may be extended and any additions will be announced in the summer edition of White Admiral. There’s something to interest everyone, so please come and join us!