Western Isles Biodiversity
International Year of Biodiversity 2010
International Year of Biodiversity 2010
2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations – the year that celebrates the diversity of life on Earth, including every plant, animal and micro-organism.
In the UK, IYB has over 400 partners ranging from universities, media organisations and museums to theatre companies and artists. They have come together to promote the understanding of biodiversity during the International Year of Biodiversity. This year is your chance to learn more about the rich tapestry of life around you, discover why it’s important for a healthy environment and get involved in monitoring and conserving your local wildlife.
Further information can be obtained from the IYB website at www.biodiversityislife.net.
Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for the Environment, launched the International Year in Scotland on 13 January 2010. At the launch she was clear that we have the opportunity and should have the ambition to maintain and further develop our reputation for biodiversity conservation. She also emphasised that to achieve this we would need to secure public support through the engagement of partners across the private, public and voluntary sectors.
The International Year of Biodiversity provides an ideal opportunity for the Comhairle to work towards delivering its biodiversity duty. Therefore, the focus of the Comhairle’s Biodiversity Duty delivery plan for 2010-2011 is to raise awareness of biodiversity and to assess the impacts of our operations on biodiversity so that this can inform the development of a more service led delivery plan for the period 2011-2013.
The Comhairle has met with a number of local agencies and organisations to work in partnership to coordinate an Outer Hebrides programme of IYB 2010 events and activities.
Summary of IYB events and activities in the Outer Hebrides (PDF, 50K)
