BRERC collects, stores and distributes environmental data concerning the former Avon area.
We collect data from members of the public, specialist recording groups, environmental consultancies and local, regional and national organisations such as Avon Wildlife Trust, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
BRERC stores and manages this information, holding millions of records in paper format, with over 1.25 million records that have been digitised and are available in computerised formats. All of the data at BRERC is carefully validated and verified so that we can be as sure as is reasonably possible that the data we enter onto our systems is accurate.
BRERC data is available to the local authority ecologists and local and strategic planners within those authorities. Species data is uploaded to the National Biodiversity Network wheer it is freely available (at 1km resolution), whilst BRERC also recieves several hundred data searches per year from individuals and organisations including environmental consultants, students and members of the public. When we give data out to third parties, we have procedures in place to ensure that sensitive or confidential records are not given out to anybody apart from the appropriate people.
We cover the former county of Avon – the modern Unitary Authorities of Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
View a map of our recording area
See the Commercial Data Search or Non-Commercial Data Search pages.
Please see the Recording section of the website, and in particular our Recording Guide.
We can provide Recording Forms and simple Maps showing Grid References. We also run and support several Species Recording Groups, which are free to join. On top of this, we regularly have training days and attend other events where our recorders can improve their knowledge and ask questions.
BRERC relies heavily on the good work of volunteers to enter a large portion of the data we receive. Volunteering at BRERC is an excellent way to learn about all the various processes and bodies involved in nature conservation in the Bristol Region and further afield. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer.
Volunteering can often lead to paid work, either at BRERC or elsewhere. We have a register of people that we can call on to undertake work as and when necessary, as well as having three permanent members of staff. For details on vacancies, keep an eye on the BRERC website where vacancies are posted.
BRERC provided data is routinely used to screen planning applications by various local authority departments and various organisations such as the Environment Agency, Avon Wildlife Trust and English Nature. Between 15000 and 25000 planning applications are made each year in our region. BRERC provided data is also used for determining the status and distribution of species and habitats locally, regionally and nationally. Our data is also used for contaminated land strategies, pollution control, emergency planning, habitat and species management and reporting to government on regional and national biodiversity targets.
Whilst not a vital part of our core function, surveyors from BRERC are sometimes found out in the countryside at any time from February to October, assessing the condition and preparing reports and species lists for woodlands, grasslands and other habitats. We also have training days dedicated to surveying, which can relate to survey methodologies through to specific searches as part of our support to the BRERC Recording Groups.
We have a full list of policies and procedures. Where appropriate, these are made available on our website. Not all our policies are procedures are in a digital format, and more will be added to the website as they are revised and typed up.
BRERC is a ‘not for profit’ organisation and is administered through Bristol City Council on behalf of Bristol City, South Gloucestershire, and Bath & North East Somerset Councils, English Nature and Avon Wildlife Trust. There is a Management Board that agrees and oversees the day to day running, policies and strategies of the Centre. This board comprises of the Line Manager for BRERC who is from the City Museum & Art Gallery, and who also represents Bristol City Council, Ecologists of the Unitary Authorities, plus representatives from English Nature and Avon Wildlife Trust. This year (2011-2012) North Somerset Council are not providing any funding or support for BRERC, but it is hoped there will be re-engagement in the future. BRERC still collects and manages data for North Somerset and provides a data enquiry service for this area.
BRERC was established in 1974, starting life in Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. The two organisations have retained close links ever since. Quite apart from the important administration services that BRERC receives through the museum, the relationship is helpful in terms of setting the museums collections in context in terms of BRERC data and vice versa.
The BRERC website is designed in house by BRERC staff. Find out more about the BRERC website.
Please visit our contacts page.