2010 has been designated as International Biodiversity Year. On March
19th the launch of the Third Edinburgh Local Biodiversity Action Plan
(LBAP) took place at the John Hope Gateway in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh LBAP is compiled of, and delivered by a partnership of
organisations including several Council departments, other public
bodies, conservation organisations and land managers. Representatives
from these organisations and public bodies, along with voluntary groups
such as Friends of the Parks Groups had been invited.
The opening address was given by Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius
Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden; Dave Anderson, Director of City
Development at the City of Edinburgh Council;Cllr. John Lowrie, Planning
Convener, CEC; Karen Young of Braidburn Valley Park; John Surtees of
Friends of the Pentlands. Julie Dewar facilitated - she is Chair of the
Edinburgh Biodiversity Partnership.
We heard about the importance of maintaining and increasing
biodiversity for the health of planet Earth, locally and world-wide.All
local councils, government departments and businesses are obliged to
work towards promoting conservation. Partnership working is essential.
The importance of private gardens was stressed as alternative
habitats, to replace woodland and agricultural land lost to building and
industry. Parks and community greenspaces are vital. We can all help
by protecting and enhancing these areas and by introducing wildlife
friendly gardening practises and planting.The trend to replace lawns and
horticultural space in gardens with paving for parking and extending
buildings is particularly damaging.
Friends Groups were given particular mention and thanked for their
work in preserving greenspaces throughout our city and its surrounds. We
heard about the achievements of the Friends of the Pentland Hills and
Braidburn Park who have been awarded Green Flag status.
Further information on the Green Flag Award
www.greenflagaward.org.uk
Swifts, Tree Sparrows and Bees, Honey and Bumble, have been named as
"Target Species" for special help within the 2010-2015 LBAP. All are
endangered.
Swifts: These birds have very specific needs. They
arrive in Britain in May, returning to the same nest-site under the
eaves and in the crevices of buildings. Swifts remain in Scotland only 6
weeks returning to Africa. They remain on-the-wing for their entire
lives.Re-pointing of older buildings can destroy their nest sites. So if
you are having this maintenance done you can ensure the survival of
these birds by installing specially designed nest boxes.New build taller
buildings are legally required to insert special swift-friendly bricks.
Tree sparrows: Tree Sparrows are very like their
cousins the House Sparrows. They favour farmland for their livelihood
but do join flocks of House Sparrows to feed in gardens.This Winter we
have seen 1-2 feeding on our seed dispensers in our garden in Riccarton
Grove - so they are around. They too can be provided with boxes.
For further information go to www.rspb.org.uk
Bees: www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk
Friends of Muir Wood Park have worked consistently with EBAP,
Edinburgh and Lothian Greenspace Trust, CEC and others to increase the
biodiversity of the park by installing bat and bird boxes, the planting
of native species hedge, trees, shrubs and flowers.Previous target
species have included bats and bees.
You can learn more about the Edinburgh LBAP and download the full
2010-2015 strategy document at
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/diversity
MUIR WOOD PARK
MANAGEMENT PLAN 2010 - 2015
To access the Management Plan for 2010 - 2015 click on the following link ------
Muir Wood Park Management Plan.pdf
.