Lochaber Local Biodiversity Group

Highland Biodiversity - The Variety of Life

Lochaber Local Biodiversity Group

What you can do for Lochabers Biodiversity

Everyone can do their bit for biodiversity and the environment, whether it is on the farm or croft, in the garden or down at the shops! Here are some examples of how you can help:

Get involved:
- Find out about your local environment and take part in local projects.
- Become one of BTCV Scotland's Highland Volunteers. (BTCV: British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)
- Join your local Field or Bird Club, and take part in surveys of projects. (Contact: Lochaber Natural History Society, British Trust for Ornithology, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Ornithologists' Club, Highland Biological Recording Group)
- Join a John Muir Trust Conservation Work Party on Ben Nevis or in Glen Nevis. Go to www.jmt.org to find out more
- Send any interesting wildlife records or sightings to the Highland Biological Recording Group (including a six figure grid reference and a date)
- Keep biodiversity high on the political agenda by writing to your local Councillor, MSP, MP or MEP.
Garden for wildlife:
- Plant native species that will provide food and shelter all year round for wildlife. Non-invasive, non-native species like buddleia can also be valuable to wildlife.
- Leave a 'wild corner' - long grass, nettles and other weeds can be good for butterflies and log or stone piles can benefit insects.
- Put up nest boxes and bat boxes in suitable locations.
- If you have space, dig a garden pond.
- Grow to organic principles. (Information on organic gardening is available from the Soil Association)
- Compost all your garden and vegetable waste. (Information on composting and recycling is available from the Lochaber Environmental Group)
- Buy alternatives to peat-based composts and other products from local garden centres.
Reduce pollution:
- Pick up litter and encourage people not to drop litter. Plastic containers, glass & plastic bottles, tin cans and discarded fishing line & nets can cause particular damage as they are not biodegradable and can trap or suffocate birds and mammals.
- Use biodegradable cleaning products and washing powder, and use less bleach and harmful cleaning products at home and in the garden.
- Don't flush non-biodegradable items down the toilet and dispose of hazardous substances such as oil, turpentine and acid wisely (i.e. not down the plughole, information on correct disposal methods is available from Scottish Environment Protection Agency)
- Recycle glass, clothes and paper where possible.
- Try to share cars or use public transport, where possible.
- Don't forget the larger, global issues such as reducing waste and using less energy.

LANDOWNERS

How can landowners work to support and protect biodiversity?

Remove non-native invasive species - grants are available from a number of sources, including SRDP.
Create and manage native woodland for biodiversity.