SOME of Scotland’s most threatened species have been given a lifeline from The National Lottery Heritage Fund today.
NatureScot has received £4.2m of funding to support urgent action to help save 37 of Scotland’s most vulnerable coastal and island species.
Scotland’s nature agency received the £4.2m award for its Species on the Edge partnership project
This project was undertaken with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, The Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife Scotland and RSPB Scotland.
The four-and-a-half year programme will support seven project areas across the country, benefitting species including vital pollinators like the Great Yellow bumblebee and rare amphibians such as the natterjack toad.
Working with some of Scotland’s most geographically remote and diverse communities, the partnership will aim to create opportunities for people and communities to get more involved in protecting local wildlife.
This will provide a lifeline for some of the most nationally vulnerable and internationally important coast and island flora and fauna.
The State of Nature Scotland Report 2019 showed that, from 1994 to 2016, 49% of Scottish species have decreased.
Of the 6,413 species found in Scotland that have been assessed, 11% have been classified as threatened with extinction.
Species on the Edge aims to halt further losses by 2030 and restore and regenerate nature by 2045.
Of the 37 species targeted by the project, 19 are threatened by land use change, eight from climate change and the remainder through a combination of influences such as pollution, invasive non-native species and exploitation.
Francesca Osowska, NatureScot’s Chief Executive, said: “Scotland’s biodiversity is in decline and, combined with the climate emergency, some of our most vulnerable species are now on the brink of extinction.
“Their survival isn’t just important for conservation. Biodiversity loss is a global threat to human wellbeing so it’s vital we take action to halt this decline now.
“Species on the Edge is one of the UK’s most ambitious nature projects and an essential part of our response to the nature and climate crises.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this support today from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“This funding will support our work to boost Scotland’s species recovery, combining knowledge, expertise and resources to protect, restore and enhance Scotland’s nature for future generations.”
Caroline Clark, Scotland Director, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Scotland’s coastline is dramatic, rugged, wild and beautiful.
“At the same time it is home to a fragile ecology, a natural heritage that we have a duty to protect.
“I am delighted that thanks to National Lottery Players we are able fund Species on the Edge.
“NatureScot and their partners bring huge amounts of expertise, experience and enthusiasm to this ambitious project to safeguard and encourage some of our most vulnerable coastal inhabitants.”
In addition to the £4.2m The National Lottery Heritage Fund award announced today, Species on the Edge is receiving £500k from the Scottish Government, £133,136 from The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, £120,000 from the Dulverton Trust and £30,000 from the Banister Trust.
