Humber INCA is based at Water's Edge, Barton upon Humber and serves its members and the community by working to integrate nature conservation into business activities in a practical way so that both business and the environment benefits. It is a partnership bringing together industry, planners, environmental regulators and nature conservation organisations.

The recent designation of the whole of the Humber estuary as a Site of Special Scientific Interest demonstrates the need for help so that industry can meet its nature conservation obligations. Consultation also took place last year on the proposal for the Humber to become a European Special Protection Area for Birds and a Special Area of Conservation - the estuary is really magnificent for wildlife. Humber INCA's role is to provide specialist advice on wildlife for the management of large industrial sites and help with the preparation of applications for planning permission and other environmental permits. 

Humber INCA has also launched its new website: www.humberinca.co.uk, which will have a growing amount of information on the environment of the Humber area and the activities of the Association.

Tony Edwards has taken over as Humber INCA's Chief Executive from Peter Cliff. Peter has done much to establish the organisation but is now retiring to perfect his golf. Tony has worked for 32 years on environmental water management issues in Yorkshire and Humber, and particularly during the last 5 years was much concerned with flood protection and water quality improvement associated with the estuary.

Peter Cliff (left) handing over as Humber INCA Chief Executive to Tony Edwards.

Peter said, "There is a great need for economic development in the Humber area. Rather than industry being a threat to wildlife, there is plenty of scope for firms to contribute to environmental enhancement. To achieve this there is a need for ecological expertise and good information. This is where INCA, which is largely funded by business, comes in".

Humber INCA has already undertaken a number of projects and advised its members on looking after endangered species, such as great crested newts and water voles, found on their land. With Corus at Scunthorpe difficulties over sand martins, which had taken to nesting in heaps of the special sand for the blast furnaces, were sorted out by providing artificial nesting sites. The birds must have been happy as they bred abundantly, and the steelmakers were certainly relieved that they could use their sand again. The project won several awards. 

 
A task starting soon is to monitor and advise on the construction of new wetlands at Chowder Ness near Barton upon Humber and at Welwick on Sunk Island. These are being provided by ABP to compensate for the loss of mudflats resulting from new port developments at Immingham. A similar project completed in 2003 by the Environment Agency at Paull Holme Strays, to the east of Hull, now attracts thousands of birds in winter.

Tony Edwards said, "The wildlife of the Humber area is very rich and there are great opportunities for enhancing it further. Industry needs permissions and consents for new development and the failure to take account of the requirements of nature conservation at the outset can lead to delays and opposition.  We are convinced that with innovative thinking, sound science and simple, practical measures that the environment, business and the local communities will all be winners".

1. Humber INCAs aims are to:
   " Provide a forum for industry, regulators, planners and conservation organisations for the integration of business development and nature conservation so supporting the economic and social growth of the region alongside delivering environmental benefits;
   " Work as a partnership with industry and business in the Humber developing, implementing and demonstrating practical ways of integrating nature conservation into commercial operations;
   " Support through the partnership sustainable development in the Humber Region.
2. It is based on the long-standing and highly successful INCA for the Tees where great progress has been made on integrating nature conservation into business decisions.
3. Members of Humber INCA include: ABP, BP, ConocoPhilips, Corus, English Nature, Environment Agency, Knauf, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Millennium Chemicals, NewLincs Developments, North Lincolnshire Council, Novartis, SITA, Total Lindsey Oil Refinery, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
4. A photograph of the handover from Peter Cliff to Tony Edwards, and ones of Humber wildlife and INCA activities can be provided.
5. Tony Edwards or Darren Clarke (Humber INCA's Field Officer) would be pleased to answer questions and provide further information. Tel: 01724 297407.