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‘Big 5’ species in North East priority for conservation!
The North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership (NESBiP) has launched a new campaign to help protect key species in Scotland’s North East.
Hedgehogs, common swifts, northern damselflies, mixed native hedgerows, and native willow species will all be given special focus under the new NESBiP Big Five campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of key species while educating communities on how to protect them.
In 2014, the partnership — which is funded by The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Council, Scottish Forestry and Ithaca Energy — ran a successful campaign under the same name, focusing on bottlenose dolphins, small blue butterflies, pine martens, hedgehogs, and common toads.
The five new species were selected across three criteria: they had to be characteristic of North East Scotland, of conservation concern and possible to help through local action. A combination of urban and non-urban species was selected, meaning people in the city can help out just as much as those in the countryside.
As part of the campaign, NESBiP will provide funding for communities to undertake projects that will support these five species, such as planting hedges, digging ponds, and building hedgehog and swift boxes. This funding will be delivered in partnership with the North East Scotland Climate Action Network Hub (NESCAN Hub).
A Big Five champion will also be appointed for each species, to educate and support communities as they protect local biodiversity.
NESBiP is asking anyone experienced in working with one of the Big Five species to get in touch and share their expertise by emailing NESBiP Biodiversity Coordinator, Abbie Ferrar, (nesbip@hutton.ac.uk).
Abbie, who is based at the Hutton’s Craigiebuckler campus, said:
“This campaign is very important for us at NESBiP. We know biodiversity loss is a scary thing. However, by providing simple actions that everyone can do, we can all make a difference.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the campaign and its featured species can visit the NESBiP website or contact Abbie directly.
Main image shows a common swift, credit to Peter Bartholomew/Huntly Swift Group – NE Swifts. Second image shows a hedgehog, credit to NESBiP.
The North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership (NESBiP) is taking action for biodiversity through partnership. NESBiP, hosted by The James Hutton Institute, collaborates with organisations, charities, businesses, local authorities and individuals across North East Scotland to protect and enhance biodiversity.
