|
Work at a West Lothian Burn has won national recognition for its efforts to protect and improve wildlife habitats. The White Burn initiative, in Whitburn, took the top prize at this year's Habitat Enhancement Initiative Awards, presented by Kevin Dunion, the Scottish Information Commissioner. The awards, organised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, took place today at Battleby, near Perth.
Overall winner - The White Burn initiative
Category winners:
High cost/ large Winner - RSPB Nigg Bay reserve coastal realignment project
Small/low cost Winner - River Eden conservation and management project
Brownfield Winner - Skares bing and brickworks restoration site
Catchment Winner - The Ythan project.
Urban green space Winner - The White Burn initiative
SEPA Staff Award
Winner - Jenni Browne, Perth Office
Kevin Dunion, formerly of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "These projects show what can be done to protect the environment with a bit of foresight and imagination. All of these award winners have gone beyond business as usual and actively thought about how they could attract wildlife, and enhance biodiversity. These are not unique projects but examples of good practice from which others can learn. The quality of achievement is high and deserves to be recognised."
The award presentation was part of morning event about habitat enhancement at the Battleby office of Scottish Natural Heritage. Each entry was assessed by a technical group and then a judging panel which included Jack Fleming, Advisory Manager, RSPB Scotland; Steve Sankey, Chief Executive, Scottish Wildlife Trust; Dr John Markland, Chairman, Scottish Natural Heritage; Simon Pepper, Director, WWF Scotland; Duncan McClaren, Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth Scotland
SEPA's Habitat Enhancment Initiative aims to support individuals and groups that work to protect, improve and enhance aquatic habitats and brownfield habitats.
Project details
The White Burn initiative, Whitburn, West Lothian
Contact Dr John Sheldon, West Lothian Council, 01506 775278, john.Sheldon@westlothian.gov.uk
The objective of this project was to transform the White burn from an urban drain to a clean and safe watercourse that brings wildlife and enjoyment to the Whitburn communities.
RSPB Nigg Bay coastal realignment project, Cromarty Firth
Contact Kenna Chisholm - 01463 715000, kenna.chisholm@rspb.org.uk
This is the first coastal realignment project in Scotland. It aims to re-create salt marshes and mudflats, important to a wide range of birds, by breaching a sea wall to allow the sea to flood a low-lying field. Areas like this also create buffer zones absorbing the energy of storm and rising sea levels to protect our communities from the threat of flooding.
FWAG River Eden conservation and management, River Eden catchment, Fife
Contact Shirley Macgowan 01334 656546, fife.kinross@fwag.org.uk
This project aims to improve water quality of the main river and its tributaries by encouraging sensitive agricultural practice and pollution control through managing riverside habitats, raising awareness of water quality problems and reducing nutrient levels entering the Eden estuary.
Skares bing and brickworks restoration site, Cumnock, Ayrshire
Contact David Simpson, Portcullis Developments Ltd - 01563 550111, info@portcullisuk.com
This project has used an innovative approach to reclaiming a derelict brownfield site, to create a community woodland. Sewage sludge was used to regenerate poor quality soil, which was then planted with mixed woodland and grass, providing a rich habitat for a wide range of animals and birds.
The Ythan project, Aberdeenshire
Contact Tamsin Morris, Project Officer - 01358 726411, info@ythan.org.uk
The project has a taken a collaborative approach between eight organisations and local people to restore, protect and enhance the river Ythan. Work so far includes helping farmers to create habitats and do nutrient budgets, creating wetlands, building a fish pass and planting broadleaved woodland areas.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- For photos of winners contact Murdoch Ferguson on 0141 884 1001
Contact
Joanna Gardiner, public relations officer - 01355 574 226
|
