This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Biodiversity Week
27/08/2002
The second annual Biodiversity Week is to focus on how
to raise public awareness of the rich variety of Scotland's
plants, animals and environment.
Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development
Allan Wilson has launched a series of events at the Royal
Botanic Garden in Edinburgh to celebrate Scotland's natural
heritage.
Allan Wilson said:
"I would hope that Biodiversity Week will capture
everyone's interests and provide activities to raise their
awareness of biodiversity and get them involved in
sustaining our natural heritage.
"I am certain that Biodiversity Week will capture
everyone's interests and provide activities to feed their
imaginations and get them involved. I am delighted to offer
that process my full support.
"It is only by involving the people of Scotland that we
can ensure Scotland's natural heritage is cared for in a
way that continues to enrich all our lives"
"As the Earth Summit gets underway in South Africa, we
face great challenges in how to tackle environmental and
natural heritage concerns. The UK has published its own
Biodiversity Action Plan, and since Devolution, the
Scottish Executive has been responsible for delivering
Scotland's contribution.
"Historically, Scotland - through the wealth of
experience of staff at centres such as The Royal Botanic
Garden in Edinburgh - has influenced thinking on
biodiversity at a global level as well as helping conserve
biodiversity here at home."
Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden houses one of the most
important collections of wild plants in the world. Their
staff are currently working on over 40 biodiversity
projects across the world from China to Chile and the
Yemen.
The Scottish Biodiversity Forum is holding a series of
workshops as part of the process to develop a Scottish
Biodiversity Strategy.
The "People and Biodiversity" workshop will focus on the
relationship between people and the natural environment,
the physical & psychological benefits of that
relationship and issues of access to a quality
environment.
The development of a strategy stems from the first
Scottish Biodiversity Forum meeting in February this year.
At that meeting the Forum was charged with developing a
national Biodiversity Strategy.
Biodiversity Week provides an opportunity for people
right across Scotland to get involved with biodiversity, to
meet new people and engage with others.
Visit
www.scotland.gov.uk/biodiversity for local events.