Published on:
06
September 2012
An extensive action plan has been updated with the aim of protecting and enhancing the environment throughout Clackmannanshire.
The Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Action Plan which was first adopted in 2003 has now been amended to cover the period up to 2017.
Clackmannanshire Council's Enterprise and Environment Committee today (Thursday) noted the achievements to date while considering the changes arising out of a public consultation exercise. The Plan has been prepared by the Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Partnership in association with the Council. The expertise of the partners and other contributors was noted as being vital in gathering together the information required to update the Plan.
The Partnership plans to launch the finalised CBAP 2012-17 at the annual Forth Valley Wildlife and Landscape Forum to be held Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Alloa.
Announcing the plans, Committee Convenor, Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "The Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Action Plan will deliver a range of actions to protect and enhance Clackmannanshire's rich and diverse environment: and put in place new and innovative ways to manage flooding.
"The plans also include new woodland planting, the creation of new wetlands, and the restoration of rivers and the care for our fisheries."
The plan also outlines outdoor activities for young people to promote and protect the environment for the future.
Some examples of the achievements attained by the previous Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Plan 2009 - 2012 include the construction of a Sand Martin Bank on the Island Field at Gartmorn Dam Country Park . This provided valuable migratory habitat for a vulnerable species.
Another achievement was the installation and monitoring of 28 barn owl boxes across
Clackmannanshire, and the regular survey of otter populations established in Clackmannanshire's rivers showing an increase in otter population and an indication of
improving water quality in our local rivers.
Councillor Balsillie added: "A number of activities organised with local volunteers and communities under the previous plan also saw the removal of invasive species of plants from river banks along the river Devon, installation of a floating nesting platform and reed bed
area for Delph Pond Tullibody , installation of nest boxes across Clackmannanshire and the expansion of areas of native woodland in Clackmannanshire, and the planting of over 1000 native trees on a former waste site near Alva."