Twenty-one councillors have volunteered to champion a range of biodiversity species, habitats and topics considered to be facing particular challenges in Aberdeenshire. My choice was to champion red squirrels (I’m the one in the photo with sunglasses!)
Following the success of a biodiversity champions initiative which began in 2016, the local project is similar to a national scheme which invites MSPs to champion species under threat.
However, the list of issues for Aberdeenshire has been widened to include habitats such as peatlands, and issues in particular need of attention including pollinators, community tree planting and control of invasive non-native species.
My Liberal Democrat colleague Councillor John Latham (Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford) – a former countryside ranger – is a champion for pine marten. And pine marten are thought to be one of reasons there is a resurgence of red squirrels as they catch and eat the rival grey squirrels.
John said in a news release: “We are supporting ongoing projects for some of our iconic species including freshwater pearl mussel, red squirrel, wildcat, pine marten and bottlenose dolphin and hope this has a positive impact in future.”
These species are priorities for action within the local area and the red squirrel and wildcat are the focus of local action plans to halt their decline.
Councillors will assist officers from Saving Scotland Red Squirrels and Scottish Wildcat Action in promoting the work being done to secure a home for these species in Aberdeenshire.
The biodiversity champions initiative is recognised in a report recently produced to chart the council’s progress in meeting its statutory duty to ‘Protect and Enhance Biodiversity’ whilst carrying out its functions. The report can be viewed online at: http://bit.ly/2p9dKft