Highland Environment Forum launches new plan to help Nature and Wildlife

copy of logo
logo biodiversity
photo taken at launch

Highland Environment Forum Chairman George Hogg,
Kenna Chisholm from the RSPB, Janet Bromham, Highland Biodiversity Officer,  Nicola Wallace, Highland Council Environment Manager, Depute Chair of Planning, Development and Infrastructure Cllr Matthew Reiss and Shona Turnbull, Coastal Planning Officer with Highland Council.

 

 

A new plan to help wildlife was launched today (23 September) at the Highland Environment Forum’s September meeting in Inverness.

Highland Nature: The Biodiversity Action Plan will help target resources to address 33 wildlife priorities which have been identified under headings ranging from the sustainable management of habitats and species, to taking biodiversity into account during building and maintenance works, to delivering local projects, raising awareness, tackling invasive non-native species and improving the management and sharing of biological records.

The Highland Biodiversity Forum (HEF) is made up of nearly 50 organisations, groups and bodies that have come together to foster and co-ordinate environmental activity across Highland.

Chairperson George Hogg said: “This revision is the result of much discussion and thinking by many people across Highland.  I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to its development.  The challenge for all of us now is to get on and deliver it!”

This is the third Highland Biodiversity Action Plan.  It provides an update on progress made to deliver the last Plan.  Over half (13/24) of the projects proposed have been delivered or are underway making good progress, with key successes being made under the headings of invasive non-native species and awareness-raising.

Projects to control Rhododendron, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, Giant hogweed and American mink have been taking place across Highland.  The Highland Invasive Species Forum helps partners to share good practice and plan future work to achieve the greatest effect.

The Highland Seashore Project is also noteworthy as a very successful awareness-raising project.  The project is due to end in December 2015, and it is hoped that further funding can be found to build on its successes through a future project focusing on the wider marine environment.

The new Plan identifies 33 priorities for future work.  For each, a number of projects have been identified, with a lead partner taking on the responsibility to work with other HEF members to deliver action over the next five years.

Some projects are already underway or can be delivered through existing work programmes.  Others will require additional funding and resources.  Progress will be reported back to the Highland Environment Forum annually, along with reasons for any delay.

It is hoped that by working together the partners will be able to improve habitats, protect species, raise awareness and provide support for groups and volunteers wishing to help Highland’s wildlife.

Paper copies are available from Biodiversity Officers Jonathan Willet and Janet Bromham, tel 01463 702274 e-mail janet.bromham@highland.gov.uk.

 

 

23 Sep 2015