The Scottish Government

27th August 2002

Biodiversity Week Launched During World Summit

As the First Minister arrives in Johannesburg for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, deputy environment minister Allan Wilson will highlight local successes and plans at the launch of Scottish Biodiversity Week. At a seminar organised by the Scottish Biodiversity Forum on people and biodiversity, the minister will stress the importance of protecting Scotland's endangered species and habitats for all to enjoy.

The seminar, People and Biodiversity will be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh on 27 ^th August and is one of a series of workshops contributing to the development of the draft biodiversity strategy for Scotland. It will include participants from a range of environmental, outdoor activity and conservation organisations, and marks the formal launch of Scottish Biodiversity Week, a series of events and activities which run between 31 August - 8 September. The week is organised in partnership with environmental and community groups, government agencies and individuals and aims to raise awareness about Scotland's rich variety of animals, plants, fungi, microbes and the habitats in which they live.

In Scotland there are now 226 Species Action Plans to help conserve a broad range of endangered species, from the precious freshwater pearl mussel to once-common farmland birds, mammals and numerous plant species. In addition there are 41 Habitat Action Plans for the protection of vulnerable sites such as wetlands, moorlands and marine environments such as the coral-like maerl.

Over 100 events are planned across the country for Scottish Biodiversity Week, ranging from guided walks, talks, interactive games and exhibitions to fungal forays, tree and wildflower planting.

This is the second year the week has run nationally, and it coincides with the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which is being held in Johannesburg and will include a civic delegation from Scotland led by First Minister Jack McConnell.

Jo Lenthall, National Local Biodiversity Action Plan Officer in Scotland said: "Scottish Biodiversity Week is a chance for everyone to get out in their local woodlands, fields and hillsides to explore the complexities of wildlife and their habitats. The range of events on offer across the country means there is something for all ages to enjoy. We hope by actively learning about their environment more people will take an interest in helping to conserve it for future generations."

Biodiversity was a term first coined at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and encompasses all the wildlife and habitats in our ecosystem. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which was published in 1994, is Britain's response to the convention and sets out an attainable goal for biodiversity conservation.

For more information contact: Sarah Roe

National Press and PR Officer, Scottish Natural Heritage

Tel: 0131 446 2270 or look up the website on: www.scotland.gov.uk/biodiversity

Notes to editors

1. The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg is held between 26 August and 4 September and marks a ten-year anniversary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Rio de Janeiro. On the agenda is Population; Poverty & Inequality; Food & Agriculture; Freshwater; Forests; Energy; Climate Change; Health & Water; Health & Air Pollution.
2. The Scottish Biodiversity Forum was established in February 2002 as an extension of the Scottish Biodiversity Group, which helps implement the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in Scotland. The Forum is open to all and has a steering group consisting of a wide range of private, public and voluntary organisations which guides it and helps to develop a draft Biodiversity Strategy for Scotland.
3. People and Biodiversity is part of a series of workshops and seminars organised by the Scottish Biodiversity Forum to form an integrated approach to biodiversity.