The Scottish Wildlife Trust is preparing for a very busy and exciting 2012, looking after Scotland’s wildlife for the benefit of current and future generations.
2012 will see progress on the UK's largest ever landscape restoration project, the Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape, starting with the creation of a native tree nursery. Another major, but very different, 'Living Landscape' project will be launched in Cumbernauld during the year.
Other practical work will include spending £35,000 enhancing access facilities around Knockshinnoch Lagoons Wildlife Reserve in East Ayrshire as a Scottish Wildlife Trust contribution to the Destination New Cumnock Living Landscape project.
Restoration of peatlands will continue to be an important part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust's work. Thanks to funding from Macrae’s Seafood in Livingston the Scottish Wildlife Trust will construct a series of small dams across Tailend Moss Wildlife Reserve in West Lothian. This will help to raise the water level on the reserve which will in turn protect the vegetation on the rare peat bog habitat and prevent the release of the carbon stored in the peat.
Funding from the Scottish Rural Development Programme will enable the Scottish Wildlife Trust to improve paths on Carron Dams Wildlife Reserve in Larbert. The work will include completing the access network and upgrading bridges which will provide a circular route around the reserve as well as linking it with the proposed Communities Along The Carron Living Landscape project.
Throughout the year, the Scottish Wildlife Trust will continue to campaign for better protection for wildlife, including improved conservation of Scotland's marine environment. We will also continue to inspire people at our three Visitor Centres, at events and online. In 2011 alone, three million people visited our webcams at www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
In 2012, we also plan to build one of the most remote toilets in the United Kingdom, one which we think will have the most spectacular setting in the land: on Handa island, over 40 miles north of Ullapool.
Commenting, Scottish Wildlife Trust Chairman Allan Bantick said:
“Scotland is known across the world for its magnificent landscapes and we have some of the best variety of wildlife anywhere in Europe. From sharks, seals and dolphins to otters, red squirrels and golden eagles, Scotland's wildlife is of international importance. However, our wildlife needs urgent protection and we are set for a busy 2012.
“The Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project remains a priority and we are working to secure funding to save this iconic Scottish species.
“The Scottish Beaver Trial in Argyll will enter a critical phase as we aim to show that beavers are a keystone species who offer so much to Scotland’s environment and to our valuable tourism industry.
“We are going to build a beaver loch viewing facility and plan to welcome many more visitors to Knapdale in spring and summer with a busy events programme.
“We are upgrading visitor facilities at Loch of the Lowes and building a toilet in probably the most spectacular location in Britain on Handa island.”