Press Release
Westside Call to Action
The Westside community of Shetland is being invited to help develop a local Biodiversity Action Plan as part of the Government’s commitment at the Earth Summit in Rio to develop a UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Community plans usually take the form of identifying and cataloguing habitats, areas and species that are of local importance with respect to their biodiversity. Also, developing small community projects that can help enhance or promote the biodiversity in those areas, such as community gardens and woodlands, school gardens, local interpretation, walking routes etc.
The Living Shetland Project was part of the local contribution towards the UK wide Plan, and previously developed five Community Biodiversity Action Plans for Sandwick, Bigton, Yell, Fetlar, and Bressay. As part of Shetland Islands Council’s continuing commitment to the UK Government Plan, the process of developing Community Plans for the remaining areas of Shetland is to commence with the Westside, taking in Skeld, Gruting, Walls and Sandness.
Community involvement is a key factor in identifying and highlighting areas and species of local importance. Howard Towll, Ranger with Shetland Amenity Trust commented: “The Westside of Shetland has great potential with regard to biodiversity, with some very good community projects already underway. We want to capitalise on this further through the development of a Plan for the area. At the public meeting, we will be highlighting examples, giving an overview of the importance of some of the Westside habitats and we will also be outlining some funding opportunities to assist any potential projects. Community involvement is vital to the whole process”.
A public meeting is to be held in the Gruting Hall on Wednesday 2nd February at 7.30pm for anyone who is interested in hearing about this project or assisting with its development.
For further information please contact Howard Towll at Shetland Amenity Trust on 01595 694688, or Mick Clifton, Shetland Islands Council West & Central Community Work Officer on 01595 745303.