State of Nature in Scotland

State of Nature in Scotland

Yesterday I participated in a ground breaking event.  I hosted the launch of the Scottish end of the State of Nature report.  This is a collaboration of expert bodies pooling data about wildlife species and diagnosing the problems they face. 25 organisations all deeply concerned at the loss of wildlife – the species we share our islands with, came together to draw a line in the sand.

Scottish wildcat by Roger Wilmshurst.

The logistics of connecting London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff together so we could all see Sir David Attenborough’s emphatic call to arms – tested our technology.  But it was a triumph!

In Edinburgh some 100 guests and partner organisations assembled at the Museum on Chambers street.  After Sir David spoke, I ran through what the report contained and the key messages for Scotland.  Usefully the partnership have produced a specific insert for each Country of the UK, and Scotland’s can be read here.

Fresh water pearl mussels via bbc.co.uk

The package is a triumph for the authors, including my colleagues Dr Mark Eaton, Dr David Gibbons and many others from across the partner organisations.  But it is even more a celebration of all those unsung volunteers who year in year out contribute to the bird, butterfly, plant or other species surveys that take place across all corners of the UK.  This knowledgeable band means we now know what is happening to 3,148 species across the UK, which although impressive is just 5% of the 67,500 we care for- our wildlife.

What I told the reception can be read here.  But in essence nature must have a home in our country and so we must invest in its future so we can be certain that can happen.

With Deborah Long and Paul Wheelhouse at the launch.

I was pleased that Scottish Government Minister Paul Wheelhouse MSP joined the platform and set out some of the initiatives the Government is planning to deliver on the commitment to halt the loss of Biodiversity by 2020 (a target agreed by all EU countries) under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The Minister also set great store by the forthcoming Biodiversity Strategy, which has cleared the Scottish Cabinet and will be launched soon.

I think halting the loss of Biodiversity (ie the decline of wildlife) should be a minimum aspiration for Scotland.  I want to see a recovery of some of the special species that Scotland is responsible for – the wildcat, pine hoverfly, Dark bordered beauty moth, Irish ladies tresses, freshwater pearl mussel and many more.

Pine hoverfly by Ross Watson

Last up was my colleague Deborah Long who runs Plantlife Scotland, but is also convener of Scottish Environment Link.  She reminded everyone that we need to invest in Nature – think long term and support the efforts of small specialist organisations which encouraged volunteering, ecological expertise and lifeline projects for a myriad of species across the Country.

It was a great event, but it is the start of a process not the end in itself.  We look to the Scottish Government to deliver a powerful Biodiversity Strategy that sets the right framework for real action.  Which encourages the partnership and harnesses the enthusiasm of the NGO sector.  And which gives the courage decision makers need to say no to developments which would damage and erode our wildlife heritage.  And yes, delivers some joined up thinking across the land use policy sectors to ensure farmers, foresters, businesses and individuals maximise the wins for ‘eco-system’ services that underpin much of Scotland’s industries, but in ways that enhance wildlife and the experience of people.