A new construction app has been launched offering industry members practical advice on how to manage a range of protected species commonly encountered on construction sites.

The Working with Wildlife app includes information on species like badgers, bats, birds, dormice, great crested newts, otters, reptiles and water voles. It also details information on how to recognise these species and what signs to look for on site, allowing decisions to be made on whether works can continue or whether they need to stop whilst further advice is sought.

CIRIA and The Ecology Consultancy introduced the app to allow contractors and construction workers to easily access key information about species on the go.

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As well as species information, it also contains an introduction to the key aspects of current legislation, a gallery of photographs to help identify species, signs of their presence and habitats, a glossary of some of the terms used, plus references and further reading.

Leanne Clowting, Executive Director, CIRIA, said: "This new resource further enhances CIRIA's commitment to champion biodiversity in the built environment. Alongside the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards, we hope that this app will enable construction professionals to ensure that industry can be even more widely proactive in ensuring the future of our endangered species."

John Newton, Founder and Strategic Advisor, Ecology Consultancy, added: "The adaptation of the Working With Wildlife guidance into app form enables construction companies to easily share our guidance and puts it directly into the hands of their on-site employees. This will be invaluable in helping developers meet legislation requirements and encourage an understanding of the issues around wildlife conservation that their projects may come up against."

Working with Wildlife is available for free on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

(CM/MH)