On International Biodiversity Day, we’re reflecting on the importance of enhancing biodiversity whilst improving environments for people, places and nature.
Biodiversity is key to healthy ecosystems, which in turn support climate resilience and adaptation. Wetlands, in particular, are incredibly unique and important habitats that support some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth.
A key driver across our work at Green Action Trust, and through the deliver of the Central Scotland Green Network, is addressing biodiversity loss, whilst improving environments for people, places and nature.
This was particularly important for a recent project we delivered at Shotts Nature Park in North Lanarkshire, which centred on increasing wetland habitats to boost biodiversity onsite, and reinforce connections to nature among the Park’s visitors.
Extending existing wetland habitats at Shotts Nature Park to develop open water habitat and a longer lasting wetland, as well as creating a new series of scrapes and ponds, helped to broaden the diversity of habitats across the park.
Projects like these, which protect and enhance biodiversity hotspots, are key to preserving healthy ecosystems and enriching Scotland’s nature. They also help to foster a connection between greenspaces and the people that use them, highlighting the value of a biodiverse environment and delivering the many, evidenced benefits of spending time outdoors.
Protecting and improving habitats for wildlife and people is a national priority embedded in policy. Turning policy into practical greenspaces like Shotts Nature Park will act toward reversing the nature-depleted landscape of Scotland to one that is nature positive and better able to support greater biological diversity, hugely benefiting the local wildlife and people.