Published on:
26
January 2012
The future of many species and their habitats is brighter thanks to the new Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Action Plan.
Councillors approved the draft plan for 2012-2017 at their meeting today and agreed that it can go out to public consultation.
The new Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Action Plan (CBAP) has been produced by the Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Partnership with assistance from the Council's Sustainability Team.
The Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Partnership includes a wide variety organisations and individuals who are committed to protecting biodiversity, including agencies such as Scottish Natural Heritage, environmental charities such as the RSPB and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, local landowners, and Clackmannanshire Council.
The Biodiversity Action Plan is important because it demonstrates the Council and its partners' commitment to, and compliance with, legislation, policies and strategies aimed at halting the ongoing decline of biodiversity, including the European Biodiversity Strategy (2010), Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (2004) and National Planning Framework 2 (2009) which requires the delivery of a Central Scotland Green Network.
Sustainability Portfolio Holder, Councillor Eddie Carrick, said: "The Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Partnership has achieved a great deal since the first Biodiversity Action Plan was produced in 2003. New and innovative ways to manage flooding, new woodland planting, creation of new wetlands, restoration of our rivers, care for our fisheries, project to teach our children nature's ways and a walking festival to encourage people to relax and enjoy every aspect of the county.
"It is becoming increasingly apparent that the health of our environment, our own health, and the health of our economy depends on stopping the on-going loss of natural resources and diversity. Not only this but we must also tackle new challenges to the management of natural resources such as the impacts arising from climate change and the risk posed by the growth of many different types of industries and land management practices which are having a number of negative impacts on land use.
"The most significant current or emerging threats to biodiversity at a national level have been identified as climate change, habitat loss/degradation (particularly due to agriculture and infrastructure development), invasive non-native species and pollution. This plan will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing habitats and species within Clackmannanshire through focussed local action over the next five years."
Copies of the consultation draft will be available in Council offices and online from the end of February and the consultation will run for two months.