1. All partner organisations are independent and come together to focus efforts on our objectives. At the regional strategic level we are adviser to the Regional Assembly, the Regional Development Agency and Government Office on biodiversity.

2. We are one of 8 such regional fora in England and we link directly to DEFRA on the England Biodiversity Strategy

3. We are a key partner on the Management Board for the North West Action for Sustainability, within which biodiversity targets are an integral component.

4. We provide a regional framework for Local Biodiversity Action Plans.