Highland Biodiversity Action Plan 2015– 2020

Consultative Draft13. Summary of Proposed Actions1.1. Proposed Actions Table

1.1.1. The project suggestions identified through this draft Plan have been brought together in the following table. The title, a brief rationale, outline of the proposed action and a list of suggested partners are shown.

1.1.2. Please note that the majority of these proposals are merely ideas at present. We cannot deliver them all, and are seeking your thoughts on whether or not they are feasible, which project ideas we should take forward as a matter of priority, and what if anything we have missed?

1.1.3. We welcome any feedback on how to deliver these ideas, timescale, who should be involved, where we might get funding and what the outputs should be. If your group or organisation is listed as a sug-gested partner, please let us know whether or not it is able to be in-volved, and to what level?

1.1.4. Lastly, we cannot hope to deliver all these projects so please help us to identify where we should spend our resources in the next five years by letting us know your top five priorities.

Please include any comments in the final column of the table and send it in to Caroline Vawdrey at hen@high-

landenvironment.org.uk

Proposed Project Title(& rationale)

Project proposal (& suggested partners)

Comments & further sug-gestions

Sustainable Management of Habitats & Species

Issues:• Lack of funding & advice• Low native woodland cover• Need for peatland restoration• High deer numbers• Wildlife crime• Habitat destruction by wildfires• Litter & pollution• Seabed habitat loss• Fish farming impacts on wild fish• Species issues

1. Agent & Land Manager TrainingThe next SRDP is due to be launched in 2015, we want to maximise its benefit to High-land biodiversity.

A series of training events for agents and land managers to raise awareness of good prac-tice and SRDP / low costs / no cost options. This would build on existing initiatives, and distribute guidance and codes of good prac-tice. (SGRPID, FCS, SAC, NFU, SCF, SLE, SNH, RSPB)

2. Wildlife Estates Scotland ProjectWES aims to promote best practice, build recognition & raise standards in game & wildlife management.

There may be opportunities for wildlife and biodiversity groups to work with estates on cit-izen science or habitat management projects arising from the Wildlife Estates Scotland ini-tiative.(SWE, SLE, SNH, RSPB, SWT, Local Biodi-versity Groups)

3. Wildlife-friendly Monitor FarmMonitor Farms Programme is a Scotland-wide network to help farmers share experi-ences & adopt best practice.

Could the Monitor Farms Programme be used to help a farm improve its management for biodiversity, making the most of grants and no cost / low cost options, and demonstrating the results to other land managers, agents and agency staff across Highland?(SAC, SAOS, SGRPID, NFU, SLE, SCF, SCU, SNH, FCS, RSPB)

4. Land Use CatalystThere is a need to help land managers & groups share in-formation & learn from each other.

A sustainable / natural heritage catalyst post that works across the organisations informing and linking up groups at an early stage for maximised action. (SNH, FCS, SGRPID, RSPB, SAC)

5. Ecosystem Approach ProjectDespite lots of discussion & several landscape-scale projects there are still no real working examples of the Ecosystem Approach.

A demonstration project to trial the Ecosystem Approach on a Highland catchment and con-vey the results to decision makers at High-land, Scottish and European levels. Potential to link with other studies in other European countries? (UHI, SNH, FCS, SEPA, SGRPID, RAFTS, SLE, NFU, SCF, RSPB, THC)

6. Black Isle Links ProjectMany conservationists live on the Black Isle and there is a desire to contribute to land management discussions.

Is there potential to link up farmers and con-servationists on the Black Isle, perhaps using the RSPB’s Volunteer & Farm Alliance Project as a starter?(RSPB, SNH, TBI, SAC, NFU)

7. Wildflower Meadow Cre-ationThere is interest in creating

A training course for Council grounds staff and community groups wishing to create wild-flower meadows, perhaps linking in with land

wildflower meadows in public spaces as an alternative to mown grass, but a lack of knowledge in creation & man-agement.

management courses and a demonstration site at UHI. (Highland Council, UHI, SNH, NTS, Flora Lo-cale, Scotia Seeds)

8. Atlantic Hazelwoods ProjectThis is a project idea that came from the last Highland BAP but has not been deliv-ered in Highland yet.

FCS has identified a number of woods that could be a starter for this project. (FCS, SNH, SCF, SLE)

9. The Lonesome PineLarge areas of Highland re-main devoid of trees due to high deer numbers, but there are isolated pockets that could provide a seed source for future regeneration.

A project to identify isolated patches of trees across Highland and seek ways to protect and expand them with the ambition of creating connecting corridors – potential for citizen sci-ence in identifying sites. ( FCS, HBRG, Local Biodiversity Groups)

10. Riparian Woodlands ProjectWhilst eligible for SRDP fund-ing, riparian woodlands are by their very nature linear, re-quiring long expanses of fenc-ing to protect relatively small areas of woodland.

A project to encourage woodland regenera-tion and planting on the banks of rivers and streams across Highland for the many bene-fits it can bring. (FCS, SNH, RAFTS)

11. Transitional WoodlandWhilst there are concerns about woodland expansion onto bogs and high deer num-bers, this is a missing habitat and the biodiversity benefits are likely to be great.

A project to identify potential sites, establish transitional woodlands and demonstrate their value and management requirements in High-land. The idea is to encourage native wood-land at low density that is controlled largely by 'natural' factors - climate in the case of tree-lines and hydrology/paludification in the case of bogs. ( FCS / SNH / Highland Council / RSPB)

12. Peatland ProjectsPeatland restoration is taking place in Caithness & Suther-land, but there are other ar-eas in Highland that could benefit from this.

A project to identify sites suitable for drain blocking and tree removal elsewhere in High-land, and draw together a funding bid, per-haps utilising Peatland Action funding? (SNH, RSPB, FCS)

13. In-bye SurveyA suggestion from the Flows to the Future Project.

A biodiversity survey of in-bye land around the peatlands of Caithness & Sutherland, linked to the Flows to the Future Project.(Peatland Partnership)

14. Highland PAW GroupWildlife Crime is being tackled nationally through PAW Scot-land, but there are local groups under this initiative to tackle local issues.

Establishment of a Highland Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Group to address local concerns, help with early com-munication, information sharing, awareness raising and publicity management.(Police Scotland, SNH, RSPB, SLE, other HEF partners)

15. Wildlife Crime Aware-ness RaisingThe main role for all partners wishing to deliver the High-land BAP would be in raising awareness and encouraging people to report incidents.

Wildlife crime should be reported to the police as soon as possible. Never intervene, take photos and notes, including grid refs, don’t touch or more evidence. See http://www.scot-land.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habi-tats/paw-scotland/ for more information.(Highland Environment Forum members)

16. Wildfire Awareness Raising ProjectWildfires, often resulting from the uncontrolled burning of heather moorland, are caus-ing damage to moorland and mountain habitats and species.

An awareness-raising project, working with game keepers, crofters and other land man-agers, perhaps using demonstration sites & case studies, promoting the Muirburn Code and joint working to tackle wildfires.(SFRS, SNH, Deer Management Groups, SGA, North Highland College, SLE, Crofters Commission, SCF)

17. Highland Marine Litter ProjectAlthough there are national campaigns and beach clean-ups, marine litter is still in-creasing on Highland beaches.

A project to raise awareness and improve waste collection facilities at harbours and ports, starting with a baseline survey to ascer-tain the quantity and source of litter on our beaches.(Highland Council, MCS, Moray Firth Partner-ship, marine industries)

18. Seabed ProtectionInshore trawling & dredging are destroying seabed habi-tats and there are concerns that the Marine Protected Area designations will not fully address this problem.

HEF members are asked to join the Highland Council in calling for the Scottish Government to further investigate inshore fisheries man-agement measures to increase the number and extent of areas that are closed to mobile fishing gear. (Scottish Government, Marine Scotland, SNH, local communities, fishing groups, High-land Council)

19. Beaver ReintroductionThis is likely to get the green light in 2015.

Discussions will be needed on where reintro-ductions could take place and if they will be allowed or if beaver will just be left to colonise naturally from the Tay catchment and the offi-cial release site in Argyll. (SNH, RAFTS, SEPA, SLE)

Development & Infrastruc-ture

Issues:• Lack of sensitivity in road construc-

tion & maintenance• Lack of ecological advice to planners• Development pressure• Impacts from renewable installations

20. Highland Road Verges ProjectA Road Verge Project was tri-alled in Caithness with some success. Attempts have been made to extend it to other sites, but there is much more to do to make this project a reality across Highland.

A dedicated officer or volunteer is needed with time to secure political support for the project and liaise with / train the Council, BEAR Scotland and contractors’ staff, as well as raise awareness of the benefits of ‘untidy’ verges in the countryside amongst the gen-eral public. (Highland Council, Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland)

21. Biodiversity Input to Lo-cal PlansThe only way to halt the de-cline of biodiversity due to de-

A suggestion that the biodiversity officers, SNH and others need to work more closely with the Council planners over the Highland-wide Local Development Plan and Area

velopment is to agree that there should be no net loss of biodiversity from develop-ment.

Plans, and ensure that biodiversity offsetting and green networks are taken forward through the development planning process.(Highland Council, SNH, RSPB, Local Biodi-versity Groups)

22. Woods and WaterwaysA suggestion from the pre-consultation exercise.

Linking up Inverness using the canal as the central spine and joining with the Dunain Community Woodland, Craigphadrig, Newcraigs, Anam etc. to promote health and wellbeing. (FCS, SCT, Highland Council)

23. SuDS Graduate Intern-shipSustainable Drainage Sys-tems are a sequence of water management practices and facilities designed to drain surface water more sustain-ably. They frequently involve ponds, and these could have higher biodiversity value.

Highland Council applied for a graduate in-ternship post to assess SuDS ponds in the A96 corridor as part of the Green Network, create local best practice guidance to max-imise the wildlife value of SuDS, and see how future ponds in developments can be de-signed and sited to maximise their benefit to wildlife and residents. (Highland Council, SNH)

24. Green NetworksThere was considerable work on green networks to prepare the supplementary guidance to accompany the Highland wide Local Development Plan.

There is an opportunity for planners and part-ners such as SNH to work together on Easter Ross and other areas throughout Highland to develop green networks within the larger de-velopments through the planning process.(Highland Council, SNH, RSPB, Local Biodi-versity Groups)

25. Inverness Walks on Wa-terHighland Council & others have drawn together a Green Infrastructure funding bid for this project.

If successful, this project will provide a se-quence of high quality green spaces around Muirtown and South Kessock, linked by green active travel routes along the river, canal and seafront. (Highland Council, Scottish Canals, Merkinch Greenspace)

26. Biodiversity Offsetting ProjectThis requires land where par-ticular new habitat creation or management can offset the loss of biodiversity on a de-velopment site. To compen-sate for the loss the offset area needs to be bigger than the site lost.

It is suggested that the Council and partners look into this by identifying potential sites and habitat improvements, as well as a mecha-nism for this in Highland. The Green Networks that have been pro-posed around large settlements and in the A96 and Inner Moray Firth development corri-dors would seem obvious locations for local offsetting.(Highland Council, SNH, RSPB, SWT)

27. Golden Eagle ProjectA Golden Eagle Officer will be employed to survey and mon-itor eagle populations, work with land managers and help raise awareness of eagle is-sues in the Monadliaths.

As further windfarm applications go through the planning process in this area, it is hoped that other developers will contribute to this work.(Highland Council, SNH, SSE, Natural Re-search, RSPB, Raptor Study Group, Estates & other developers)

28. Renewables Offsetting PilotThere is potential for offset-ting projects in this industry.

It is suggested that this approach is investi-gated and a Highland pilot project undertaken. (Highland Council, SNH, developers)

Local Biodiversity Projects Issues:• Lack of capacity within Local Biodi-

versity Groups• Lack of easily accessible funding for

small projects

29. Brownfield Biodiversity ProjectBrownfield sites often provide valuable wild plants for in-sects and habitats for small mammals & birds. There is a need to identify good sites & provide advice on the poten-tial for improvements on pub-lic buildings & sites in urban areas.

A potential project carried out by volunteers from the local groups to identify brownfield sites that are good for biodiversity. The vol-unteers could also identify public buildings where nest boxes for swifts, bats etc. could be put, & educate the public officers as to the benefits of such actions. (Local Biodiversity Groups, Highland Council, other HEF partners)

30. Volunteering OpportunitiesThe Easter Ross Biodiversity Group identified a lack of clar-ity on local volunteering op-portunities, and is trying to address this by publicising opportunities.

There is potential to extend this to cover High-land, by making better linkages between vol-unteering groups, bringing together groups with suggestions for local projects, and mak-ing opportunities and contacts more visible to the public.(Highland Council, TCV, RAFTS, FCS, RSPB, NTS, Third Sector Interface, Council for Voluntary Services)

31. Wildlife Gardening ProjectThere is greater demand for allotments and interest in growing food.

Is there potential for a pan-Highland Wildlife Gardening Project funded by HEF partners & led by the Local Biodiversity Groups with links to local allotment & gardening groups? The project could have events, competitions & garden visits. (Local Biodiversity Groups, Highland Council, SNH, RSPB, Gardening Groups, Garden Centres & Nurseries)

32. Local Biodiversity Ac-tion ProgrammeNational agencies are looking to local groups to deliver re-gional and national biodiver-sity objectives, but there is no easily accessible fund or sup-port to help them undertake such work.

Could we run another community grant scheme, where the Local Groups receive sup-port to update their LBAPs, this process iden-tifies future projects, and then funding and support is available to deliver these projects? This would encourage grass roots endeav-ours to achieve regional biodiversity objec-tives. Mentoring project leaders could be one way to build capacity to deliver projects. (Highland Council, SNH, Local Biodiversity Groups)

33. Highland Green Gym ProjectThere is a growing recogni-tion of the link between biodi-versity & health, and support for practical biodiversity projects involving volunteers.

A possible project to encourage volunteering, linking biodiversity and health, led by The Conservation Volunteers with input from the Local Biodiversity Groups and funding from the Landfill Communities Fund. (TCV, Highland Council, Local Biodiversity Groups)

Awareness & Knowledge Issues:• General lack of interest & awareness

of nature & wildlife• Lack of interest & awareness amongst

children & young people• Lack of awareness in seashore & ma-

rine biodiversity• Lack of interest in soil biodiversity

34. Biodiversity Awareness SurveyWe don’t know about the public’s level of interest or un-derstanding in biodiversity.

An online survey to get a baseline of biodiver-sity awareness and knowledge across all ages and sectors of the community, which could be repeated every 3-5 years. This could help identify areas for future aware-ness-raising projects and give us feedback on how we are doing. (Highland Council, SNH, other HEF partners)

35. Nature ConnectionsA lot of local wildlife knowl-edge is being lost due to our lack of connection with the natural world.

A nature project for all ages to help communi-ties to learn from their elderly members.(Local Biodiversity Groups, Wildlife Watch Groups, CVS & other Third Sector Groups)

36. Eco Schools Co-ordina-torThe Eco Schools programme lost its officer support and some Highland schools are losing their green flag status.

This requires a dedicated volunteer or mem-ber of staff who could work closely with teach-ers, helping them to re-engage with Eco Schools and other green initiatives, and to ac-cess resources and support for wildlife-related work as they need it.(Highland Council, HEF partners)

37. Marine Heritage ProjectThe Seashore Project identi-fied a tremendous interest in seashore biodiversity and a desire to find out more through further marine events.

One suggestion is to seek funding for a sec-ond awareness raising project, focusing on our marine heritage and traditional links with the sea.(Highland Council, SNH, MCS, SEPA, Moray Firth Partnership, Museums, Fishing Groups, RAFTS, Crown Estate)

38. Highland Herring Redis-covery ProjectWREN has already worked up a project bid for a W Ross Herring Rediscovery Project, but it was thought that this would be better delivered across Highland.

A project to identify herring spawning grounds, better understand the life cycle, and teach children about herring, marine biology and our cultural links with herring fishing. Possibly best delivered as one element of a wider Highland Marine Heritage Project? (Highland Council, SNH, MCS, SEPA, Moray Firth Partnership, Museums, Fishing Groups, RAFTS, Crown Estate)

39. Soil Management ProjectWith advances in technology and farming practices soils are often treated as a growing medium, possibly to the detri-ment of the other ecosystem services that they provide.

A project to bring together soil scientists and land managers, to explore the ecosystem ser-vices provided by soils, raise awareness amongst both civil servants and land man-agers, and demonstrate best practice.(Scottish Government RPID, FCS, James Hutton Institute, SAC, SLE, NFUS, CC, SCF)

40. Earthworms versus New Zealand flatworms projectLittle is known about the ex-tent and impact of NZ flat-worms in Highland.

A project suggestion to map the extent and raise awareness of New Zealand flatworms in Highland, building on existing guidance.(HBRG, Local Biodiversity Groups, Gardening Groups)

INVASIVE NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Issues:• Lack of long term funding

• Difficulties of scale• Lack of guidance & support• New INNS threats

41. Rhododendron ProjectSRDP is only funding source for clearance on private land and there is a need to co-ordi-nate clearance work to give other eradication projects the best chance of success.

There is a need for a further Rhododendron Project Officer to co-ordinate applications to the new SRDP within the four priority areas identified by the last project, instigate action on road and railway verges, facilitate commu-nity surveillance of ‘cleared’ areas (to stop re-colonisation), and secure public support for Rhododendron removal. (Invasive Species Forum partners)

42. INNS Apprenticeships:The BTCV Apprenticeship Programme proved a very ef-fective way of co-ordinating INNS projects on the Cro-marty Firth.

Is there scope for running further apprentice-ships to tackle invasive non-native species, using the work carried out in the Cromarty Firth as a model?(TCV, RAFTS, Invasive Species Forum)

43. Urban INNS Surveys:Gardens are a major source of INNS & we know little about their extent in our towns.

A project to train volunteers and survey urban areas for invasive non-native species. This would inform future co-ordinated control pro-grammes.

(Highland Council, SNH, HBRG, local biodi-versity groups)

44. Caithness Salmonberry Project:Salmonberry is an invasive shrub that is overtaking hedges in Caithness.

A potential project to train volunteers and co-ordinate salmonberry eradication, extending a trial that was carried out some years ago. (Caithness Biodiversity Group, Highland Council)

45. Highland Rhodie Plant Swap:The 2006 BAP identified R ponticum as a main threat to native biodiversity, and pro-posed a project to stop it be-ing grown in gardens.

A Highland-wide project to raise awareness of the damage caused by this plant amongst gardeners, building on the plant swap initia-tive being run by the NTS at Torridon.(Invasive Species Forum partners, Garden Centres, Gardening Clubs, Local Biodiversity Groups)

46. Rapid Response Path-way:More and new INNS are be-ing found throughout High-land, and there is a need to clarify reporting procedures & action.

A project to identify and agree clear rapid re-sponse pathways for new species that may start to colonise, as well as raise awareness amongst the general public.(Invasive Species Forum partners)

Biological Recording & Data Management

Issues:• Lack of information• Lack of capacity to manage biological

records• Data capture

47. Reform STAG: The local biodiversity groups are keen to undertake species related projects but do not know where to begin.

The re-formation of a specialist group to iden-tify area-based citizen science projects that the local groups could carry out, and make the linkages with the national priority species lead partners.(Highland Council, SNH, RSPB, HBRG)

48. Highland Biological Database Project: We await clarity on the na-tional situation regarding the storage and management of biological records but lack ad-equate facilities in Highland.

Once the national situation is clearer, a project to create a Highland data manage-ment and biological volunteer co-ordination hub, building on the existing Highland Biologi-cal Database Project.(HBRG, SNH, Highland Council, Highland En-vironment Forum partners)

49. Data Collection: Lots of species records are collected but not passed on by specialists and companies undertaking EIA surveys.

A volunteer post or studentship within the Highland Council Development & Infrastruc-ture Department to look into data collection from new developments?(Highland Council, SNH)

List of Potential Partners

BEAR BEAR ScotlandCBG Caithness Biodiversity GroupCC Crofters CommissionCE Crown EstateCNPA Cairngorms National Park AuthorityCVS Council for Voluntary ServicesDMGs Deer Management GroupsERBG Easter Ross Biodiversity GroupFCS Forestry Commission ScotlandFES Forest Enterprise ScotlandFL Flora LocaleHBRG Highland Biological Recording GroupHEF Highland Environment ForumHEN Highland Environment NetworkINBG Inverness & Nairn Biodiversity GroupISF Invasive Species ForumJHI James Hutton InstituteLBG Lochaber Biodiversity GroupLBGs Local Biodiversity GroupsMCS Marine Conservation SocietyMFP Moray Firth PartnershipMG Merkinch GreenspaceNFU National Farmers’ UnionNHC North Highland CollegeNR Natural ResearchNTS National Trust for ScotlandPP Peatland PartnershipPS Police ScotlandRAFTS Rivers & Fisheries Trusts ScotlandRSG Raptor Study GroupRSPB Royal Society for the Protection of BirdsSAC Scottish Agricultural CollegeSAOS Scottish Agricultural Organisation SocietySCF Scottish Crofting FoundationSCT Scottish Canals TrustSEPA Scottish Environment Protection AgencySFRS Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceSGA Scottish Gamekeepers AssociationSG Scottish GovernmentSGRPID SG Rural Payments & Inspections DirectorateSLE Scottish Land and EstatesSLEF Skye & Lochalsh Environment ForumSNH Scottish Natural HeritageSS Scotia SeedsSSE Scottish & Southern EnergySWE Scottish Wildlife EstatesSWT Scottish Wildlife TrustSWT Scottish Wildlife TrustTBI Transition Black IsleTCV The Conservation VolunteersTHC The Highland CouncilTS Transport ScotlandTSI Third Sector InterfaceUHI University for the Highlands & IslandsWREN Wester Ross Biodiversity Group

developersestatesfishing groupsfishing groupsgarden centres gardening groupslocal communitiesmarine industriesmuseumsnurserieswildlife watch groups