| 1788 |
Linnean Society of London founded
(the oldest biological society in existence) |
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| 1858 |
Darwin's paper on the Origin of
Species |
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| 1913 |
British Ecological Society founded |
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| 1935 |
National Trust for Scotland founded
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| 1949 |
National Parks and Access to the
Countryside Act |
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| 1949 |
Nature Conservancy established -
devoted to wildlife protection |
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| 1973 |
UK joins the European Community and
is influenced by the Common Agricultural Policy |
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| 1979 |
EC Wild Birds Directive lists
vulnerable species throughout Europe and gives each
member state power and responsibility to classify special
protection areas to protect migratory birds and breeding
sites |
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| 1981 |
Wildlife and Countryside Act |
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| 1980's |
Sites of Special Scientific
Interest identified as carrying rare species, breeding
sites or habitats, and protected in law |
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| 1985 |
Walter G Rosen, an American
scientist, invents the word 'BioDiversity' to use in the
title of a meeting he is arranging in Washington D.C. |
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| 1986 |
Edward O. Wilson, another American
scientist, attends the National Forum on BioDiversity in
Washington. He goes on to popularise the word, first
through the conference proceedings, then in his later
writings. Others begin to get interested in the concept |
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| 1987 |
Concerns over the nature of and
changes in land use lead to the first detailed census of
land cover in Scotland |
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| 1990 |
Britain's first comprehensive White
Paper on the environment published |
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| 1990 |
Government offers guidance to Local
Authorities on the preparation of indicative forest
strategies, which seek to encourage the expansion and
creation of local forests while respecting the existing
environment |
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| 1992 |
Scottish Natural Heritage founded
to safeguard and enhance the natural environment, advise
on its protection and promote wider understanding and
enjoyment of our natural resources |
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| 1992 |
EC Habitats Directive lists
vulnerable habitats and rare or endangered species
throughout Europe: 63 of these species and 52 habitats
(including 14 classed as priorities) are found in
Scotland |
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| 1992 |
Representatives from 159 countries
and nations meet in Rio de Janeiro for the United Nations
Conference of Environment and Development, later known as
the 'Earth Summit'. The UK government signs up to a
number of commitments. Among these is the Convention on
Biological Diversity, which aims to counter the worldwide
loss of species and habitats |
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| 1992 |
At the Earth Summit, the UK signs
up to the Rio Declaration, which launches Agenda 21, a
blueprint for sustainable economic and social development
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| 1992 |
At the Earth Summit, the UK
proposes the Darwin initiative, offering help and
expertise to developing countries for conservation and
the sustainable use of their natural resources |
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| 1993 |
Countryside Survey published -
satellite image were used to survey the different types
of land cover in the British countryside. Government
consults with over 300 organisations throughout the UK
and holds a 2 day seminar to debate key issues raised by
the Convention on Biological Diversity, becoming known as
the Biodiversity Convention |
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| 1994 |
'Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan'
is launched - The report identifies 59 broad targets,
later known as the '59 steps' for conservation work over
the next 20 years and convenes a UK Biodiversity Steering
Group to take the work forward |
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| 1995 |
The UK Biodiversity Steering Group
publishes its recommendations, 'Biodiversity: the UK
Steering Group Report'. The report sets out costed action
plans to conserve 116 species and 14 habitats under
threat, and recommends that further action plans should
be drawn up |
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| 1996 |
Government affirms the Steering
Group's work in a report, 'Government Response to the UK
Steering Group Report on Biodiversity', and calls on
non-governmental organisations, the voluntary sector,
industry and local government to take up the challenge of
biodiversity. First meeting of the Scottish Biodiversity
Group, formed to take forward the UK commitments at
national level and develop a working strategy for
Scotland's biodiversity |
