Conservation programme launched for coastal Scotland
The small blue butterfly is one species that has already benefited from conservation work.
A new conservation programme, Species on the Edge, has been launched to reverse the decline of 37 vulnerable species found on Scotland’s coasts and islands.
The collaboration between government agency NatureScot and seven conservation charities will work to safeguard species including amphibians, bats, bees, butterflies and plants.
The programme was officially launched on 3 June at Logie Quarry, Kildary, where work has already been done by Butterfly Conservation, one of the charity partners, to enhance the habitat of the small blue butterfly.
The other charities involved in the project are Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, The Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Plantlife, and RSPB Scotland.
With £4 million of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and an overall budget of £6.5 million project, the programme will target seven areas across Scotland: the Solway Coast; the Inner Hebrides, Argyll and Lochaber; the Outer Hebrides; North Scotland Coast; Orkney Islands; Shetland Islands; and East Scotland Coast.
Over the next four-and-a-half years, the Species on the Edge team will carry out work including collecting data, creating and enhancing habitats, providing education and skills training, and supporting community and cultural events.
Although Scotland’s coast and islands are among the most biodiverse areas of the UK, the ‘State of Nature Scotland 2019’ report revealed that 11 per cent of species found in Scotland are threatened with extinction.
Nick Halfhide, NatureScot’s director of nature and climate change, said: “It’s fantastic to see Species on the Edge launching. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved through working in partnership and, in the face of the biodiversity crisis, will help us to maximise efforts to secure a future for vulnerable species on Scotland’s coasts and islands.”
Tracy Munro, Species on the Edge project officer for Butterfly Conservation, added: “We were thrilled to launch this important project to the public at Logie Quarry where the Balnagown Estate is working with us to conserve habitat for the threatened small blue and dingy skipper butterflies.
“This project will make a tangible difference to so many species in Scotland and we’re proud and excited to begin alongside our partner organisations and volunteers.”
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