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A Flying Start: Local Biodiversity Action Plans in Scotland

Introduction

It is sometimes tempting to view biodiversity as yet another burden. Yet the almost universal adoption by Scotland's local authorities to address the challenge of biodiversity shows how far this is from the truth. The process of Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) in Scotland is widely recognised as one of the outstanding successes of the biodiversity initiative in the UK: - a remarkable achievement that reflects the significance of biodiversity to Scottish life. It shows that the message of biodiversity has come a long way from the 'Earth Summit' in Rio to local authorities and the people of Scotland.

This booklet is a celebration of that success. In the run-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development ('Earth Summit III') in South Africa in 2002, it is designed to illustrate what has been achieved in Scotland, to share best practice between the various initiatives to help bring inspiration to other projects that are underway, and to give credit for what has already been achieved.

Work for biodiversity in Scotland is taken forward by the Scottish Biodiversity Group (SBG) - a partnership between departments of government, government agencies, voluntary organisations, Scotland's universities and business. One of their main tasks is to support and guide the Local Biodiversity Action Plan process.

The SBG's proposals for biodiversity work in Scotland are summarised in three key documents, entitled:

• Biodiversity in Scotland - the Way Forward, 1995;
• Local Biodiversity Action Plans - A Manual & Guidance, 1996; and
• Action for Scotland's Biodiversity, 2000.

They provide the background to supplement the scope of this booklet.

The role of LBAPs

Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) were proposed as a way of stimulating effective local action for national priorities identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, as well as for species and habitats which are particularly cherished or valued in local areas of Scotland. It was envisaged as way of refocusing the conservation work that was already underway within local authority areas, but with new nationally-agreed objectives. Importantly, it was also seen as a way to stimulate new projects, bringing all the relevant bodies and individuals around the table with a new perspective.

The LBAP initiative is based on the premise that everyone has a stake in their local environment and the quality of life it supports - from national government agencies to local community groups, from environmental organisations to local businesses, and from farmers to school children. The LBAP process brings these viewpoints together to agree, and then pursue, a common goal. Never an easy challenge, but - as this report will show - the spirit of partnership to date has been one of the initiative's greatest strengths, and already a number of demonstrable achievements have been made.

The aims of this report

This report shows what has been achieved already to illustrate the relevance that this activity has to all the different sectors of Scottish society, and outline what needs to be done to build on this success for the future.

The wide range of activity underway has been categorised into a number of broad themes. Inevitably there is overlap, because so many of the issues are inter-linked and interdependent. It is impossible to condense all the issues, opportunities and achievements across Scotland into a few pages. This document is therefore a signpost, to what could be achieved in any locality or in any area of interest. The case studies highlighted in boxes throughout the text have been contributed by LBAP partners as a means of sharing their achievements and experiences with others. These headline achievements illustrate the sheer breadth, imagination, inspiration and practicality of all the activity that is underway across Scotland as a result of the Biodiversity process at local level.

It should be emphasised, however, that this document is not intended as a guide to the process of developing an LBAP. LBAP Manual and Guidance Notes (COSLA/Scottish Executive 1999) exists for that purpose although Appendix 1 of this booklet tries to break this process down into 'bite-sized chunks', providing an overview of the stage of development which each Scottish LBAP has reached. Reading through the selected case studies in the main text will show just how much activity this table summarises.

Scotland has the responsibility to deliver, or contribute to the delivery of 226 Species and 41 Habitat Action Plans (Action for Scotland's Biodiversity). To complement work at the national level, LBAPs also provide action towards agreed local targets. The appendices provide a reference guide to the species and habitat priorities which are being tackled across Scotland.

The original Scottish guidance for LBAPs stated:

'The challenge is to change attitudes and to create a wider awareness of the value of biodiversity and its relationship to our social and economic life as part of a wider strategy for sustainable development.'

That challenge still stands; the work is by no means done. Some local authorities are well underway in the process of delivering the targets in their local plans, others are just starting on the road towards an LBAP. We hope that this document will stimulate ideas for local initiatives, and provide a resource to show new, and existing partners that an LBAP is more than just meetings - important as these are.

Above all, work for biodiversity is inspired by a vision of nurturing the natural heritage of Scotland to sustain our quality of life and contribute to our national economic wealth. To protect all the natural features that combine to justify our national pride in the countryside and green spaces of Scotland; and, at the same time, retain the local distinctiveness across the country. That is the challenge of action for biodiversity, at both a local and national level.

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