Species on the Edge – Conservation event launch at Dunnet forest
A new, multi-species conservation programme, will kick off its activity in Caithness with a launch event on Sunday, May 21 at Dunnet Community Forest from 11am until 2pm.
Species on the Edge, a new partnership programme of eight nature conservation organisations, is dedicated to reversing the decline of 37 priority species across Scotland’s coasts and islands.
The Species on the Edge partnership consists of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, NatureScot, Plantlife and RSPB Scotland. Together the eight organisations will be delivering a four-and-a-half-year programme of action, working closely with local communities to help them tackle the impacts of environmental change on wildlife, to benefit both nature and people. The programme has a cost of over £6.5 million, with £4m of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Plantlife, the international conservation charity working to secure a world rich in wild plants and fungi, is leading the north coast programme of activity.
Throughout the four-and-a-half-year programme, Species on the Edge project officers will be connecting with communities, land managers, organisations, and charities to "help protect our unique local wildlife". The programme will be offering local people opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge through workshops, training and volunteering.
In the pipeline already are a series of watercolour workshops, a summer holiday award programme for young people and a plan to use public venues to “host” homegrown Scottish Primrose, Oyster Plant and Purple Oxytropis, making these difficult to find plants accessible to everyone.
Find out more about Species on the Edge on its website: www.nature.scot/scotlands-biodiversity/species-edge-sote/species-edge-about-project
The event at Dunnet Community Forest on May 21 has activities for all ages but children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Some snacks will be available on the day.