To view the Local Biodiversity Action Plans, newsletters and other information about biodiversity in the Highlands, please visit the Highland Biodiversity website.
Biodiversity, short for 'biological diversity', describes the variety of all life on earth and all the places where it is found. It was first coined in 1985 but became more widely used when the UK government signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio di Janeiro in 1992. This kick-started the biodiversity process in the UK, which lead to the creation of the UK www.ukbap.org.uk , Scottish www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk and Local Biodiversity Action Plans. These plans encourage organisations and individuals to take action to restore and conserve our biodiversity.
The Highland Biodiversity Project, a European funded programme that ran from 2002 to 2004, represented a first step towards an integrated approach to the management of biodiversity in the area. It contributed to Local Agenda 21, an initiative to promote sustainable development was backed by The Highland Council, key public agencies and the voluntary sector. In addition to awareness-raising, practical projects and initiatives, the project produced LBAPs for all of the counties of the Highland region, Badenoch and Strathspey was covered under the existing Cairngorms Biodiversity Action Plan.
From 2005 to 2007 the Highland Biodivesrity Action Plan Implementation Programme ran. This allocated over £90,000 to 37 community led projects that helped deliver Highland’s seven LBAPs. This was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council and the North Highland and WHELK Leader+ Prorammes. In 2007 the Highland Biodiversity Partnership successfully applied for funding totalling £100,000 over 3 years for the Communities Project for Highland Biodiversity. Funding was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Highland Council, SNH, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the RSPB.
In 2009, nearly £100,000 of funding was secured from Highland LEADER 2007-13 Programme, Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and RSPB Scotland. This project will aim to help groups broaden their membership and built their capacity for delivering action through spreading good practice and building their capacity. This along with a coordinatorwill help groups identify and work up new projects that help people understand, safeguard, restore and celebrate the biodiversity in their area.
In April 2005, the post of Highland Biodiversity Officer became permanent. The post’s remit is to support the delivery of the LBAPs and the provision of advice to the Council on its responsibilities under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. This work will involve liaising with various Council Services to link biodiversity with the Best Value Review process, translating Local Biodiversity Action Plans into Council policy and programmes, and facilitating practical projects to “green” the Council.
The Council has also established a Highland Biodiversity Partnership, chaired by an elected member, to make progress on key strategic biodiversity issues across the Highland Council area and provide guidance and support to the existing network of local biodiversity groups. The Highland Biodiversity Partnership Agreement was signed in January 2006 and renewed in 2009 with 30 signatories. The Highland Biodiversity Forum meets annually in the spring, in Inverness. All those interested in taking forward action for Highland’s biodiversity are invited to attend.
If you would like to see a copy of the Highland Biodiversity Action Plan 2009-12 download the document from this website or go to the Highland Biodiversity website.
The Highland Biodiversity Partnership has just published some leaflets on the key invasive non-native species in Highland. These are available to download in the current documents section on the right hand side of the screen.
If you would like to find out more about Highland Biodiversity then contact Janet Bromham or Jonathan Willet, the Biodiversity Officer (job-share) on 01463 702 274.
email: janet.bromham@highland.gov.uk
email: jonathan.willet@highland.gov.uk
Janet covers North Highland, and works with the local biodiversity groups in Caithness, Sutherland, Wester Ross and Ross & Cromarty (East). She works Wednesdays, Thursday mornings & Fridays.
Jonathan works with the local biodiversity groups in Inverness and Nairn, Skye and Lochalsh and Lochaber. He will also liaise with the Cairngorms National Park Biodiversity Officer; this will cover Badenoch and Strathspey. He works Monday, Tuesday and alternate Wednesdays.