Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

The Trust has the following functions—

to negotiate, enter into and administer private land conservation agreements,

to provide assistance to planning authorities in connection with applications for the biodiversity certification of land under Part 8 (including the provision in accordance with the regulations of loans and other financial assistance),

to manage and control the Biodiversity Conservation Fund,

to establish and maintain the Biodiversity Conservation Trust Public Fund,

to raise money from organisations and the general public to help fund its activities,

to use any gifts, devises, bequests or contributions received by the Trust for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity,

to assist and educate landholders who propose to enter into agreements with the Trust,

to provide technical, financial and other assistance to landholders generally, when the Trust considers it appropriate to do so, for the purpose of facilitating the achievement of conservation goals,

to provide education to the public on issues of conservation, land management and ecological sustainability,

to exercise functions under this Act that are delegated to the Trust,

any other function conferred or imposed on it by this or any other Act or law.

The Trust has the functions under this Act as the Fund Manager of the Biodiversity Stewardship Payments Fund (including its functions under this Act in connection with the operation of the biodiversity offsets scheme).