All WEL Working Groups have been contributing to development of the WEL Policy Priorities document, which is nearing completion.  WEL representatives have been meeting with Assembly Members and party officials to discuss development of the parties' manifestos in advance of the 2011 Assembly Election. This included a mind mapping session with the Shadow Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Angela Burns AM.  

A representative of the Climate Change Working Group has been invited to sit on the Third Sector Climate Change Leadership Group which is coordinated by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA). Their primary goal is to engage non-environmental NGOs and community groups on climate change issues.

The Land Use Working Group gave written and oral evidence to the Rural Development Sub-Committee’s inquiry into CAP reform this quarter.

On 19th May the launch of a Cross Party Group for Biodiversity took place in the Assembly. This group was initiated by WEL, who also provide secretariat. A range of stakeholders attended the launch meeting including statutory bodies, local Councillors, NGOs, AMs and Assembly Committee staff.

The Marine Working Group is pleased to be re-establishing their three Marine Officer posts, thanks to a new funding commitment from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Tubney Charitable Trust. In April, members of the Marine Working Group had two requests from Assembly Members to meet and discuss marine priorities, following a mail out of "call to action" cards. The Group contributed to the Joint Links response to the Marine Policy Statement pre-consultation document in May.

The Environment Strategy Working Group met in April to work on a response to the Sustainability Committee’s inquiry into the Wales Environment Strategy Action Plan.

Representatives of the network met with Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in May to discuss biodiversity, climate change, Severn Tidal Power, Waste, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Marine Protected Area Strategy and their new Natural Environment Framework.