Scottish Wildlife Trust news


New National Peatland Plan welcomed by the Trust


THE Trust has welcomed the launch of the National Peatland Plan by Scottish Natural Heritage, which sets out a strategy for protecting some of Scotland’s most important habitats. For the first time, Scotland


will have a strategy to secure the sustainable use, management and restoration of peatlands – an


internationally important type of habitat and vital natural asset. Peatlands are an important


part of Scotland’s natural capital, making up 20% of the landscape. Healthy peatlands store


carbon, provide clean water, help prevent flooding and provide habitat for plants and animals including bog rosemary, round-


archipelago where new maerl habitat has been found


The Summer Isles


leaved sundew, greenshank, golden plover and dunlin. Compiling the strategy


involved input from a wide range of stakeholders, and drew on the expertise of the IUCN Peatland Programme – hosted by the Scottish Wildlife Trust – which was set up to promote peatland restoration in the UK.


Natural Connections launched in Cumbernauld


THE Cumbernauld Living Landscape has launched the Natural Connections project, working with local schools and communities to improve three important wildlife sites in Cumbernauld thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. St Maurice’s Pond,


Seabed survey success continues


IN August, the Living Seas team returned to the north west Highlands to continue their successful seabed survey of last year. The team were on the lookout for maerl, a pink coral-like seaweed that’s an important habitat for juveniles of many species and is a ‘Protected Feature’ in the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area (MPA). With the help of local knowledge, they surveyed


waters next to the Trust’s largest reserve, Ben Mor Coigach, and around the Summer Isles, including the Trust-owned island of Carn Iar.


The surveys found new locations of maerl beds around Annat Bay and the Summer Isles, and also contributed towards our wider understanding of the seafloor within the Wester Ross MPA.


Improving our knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of important species and habitats like maerl is essential for effectively managing and protecting these valuable sites for the future. We have only scratched the surface at Wester Ross and no doubt there are many more secrets to be revealed in this spectacular part of the world.


Ravenswood Local Nature Reserve and Cumbernauld Glen Wildlife Reserve all neighbour one of Cumbernauld’s high schools. Over the next two years, over 70 young people will work to improve the areas for people and wildlife. It will give the young people the opportunity to improve their environment whilst gaining valuable employability skills. The project will also promote and celebrate the town’s greenspaces. Local people and groups will have the chance to get involved in the project on monthly volunteering sessions.


To get involved, contact Tracy Lambert on tlambert@ scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk or find out more on our website cumbernauldlivinglandscape. org.uk


NOVEMBER 2015 SCOTTISH WILDLIFE 5


© Jamie Grant


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