Launch Of Western Isles Biodiversity Action Plan

TV Presenter Chris Packham formally launched the Phase 2 Western Isles Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP) on Thursday 11 th August at Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy. The plans seek to safeguard and enhance nationally and locally important species and habitats in the Western Isles through the involvement of communities, individuals, businesses, organisations and agencies.

The launch took the format of a number of presentations followed by a buffet lunch. Samantha Muir, the Biodiversity Officer, provided background information on the progress since the launch of the Phase 1 Action Plans in May and on the development process for the Phase 2 plans. Considerable public consultation was involved in producing the plans to ensure local community participation.

This was followed by a presentation by Chris Packham. Chris is familiar to most as the presenter for the successful Children’s BBC Wildlife programme, The Really Wild Show. This series was so successful that it won a BAFTA. His most recent BBC ventures have been X-Creatures and Watch Out (investigating mythological creatures such as the Yeti). Chris has been in Uist for the last week working on his most recent project, which he hopes will encourage visitors to come to the Western Isles to see and enjoy some of the rare and unusual wildlife. Chris commended the work done to produce the second phase of LBAP’s and wished the plan every success in the future.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in conjunction with the Western Isles Biodiversity Partnership and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has produced the second phase plans. The Species Action Plans will protect the Corn Bunting, Dunlin, Corncrake, Irish Lady’s-tresses Orchid and the Habitat Action Plan will safeguard Cereal Field Margins. John Love, SNH Area Officer, commented on the considerable community involvement in the process and Councillor Alasdair MacEachen, chair of the launch, concluded by acknowledging the considerable involvement and input by the partner organisations.

The Phase 1 and Phase 2 LBAP’s are available in pdf format on the Western Isles Biodiversity website at www.cne-siar.gov.uk/biodiversity

For further information, contact Samantha Muir, Biodiversity Officer on 01871 810259, Email smuir@cne-siar.gov.uk.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk