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The Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan was launched on Saturday 22nd February 2003 at Dunnet.  The launch event was held in the Northern Sands Hotel, attended by 29 people. Highland Biodiversity Project co-ordinator Janet Bromham gave a presentation on the plan itself, followed by a number of presentations from practical biodiversity projects that have received funding over the past year. Afterwards, there was a visit to a small tree nursery, where Dunnet resident Mrs Shiela Moir, whose father planted the first tree at Dunnet nearly fifty years ago, planted another tree to welcome the next phase in the Forest's history.

The drafting and consultation process was directed by the Caithness Biodiversity Group, which was set up following an initial workshop held last May, and comprises nine local people representing a range of land use and other interests, under the umbrella of the Caithness and Sutherland Environmental Group (CASEG).

Barbara Bremner, Group Chairman, said:
"We are very pleased to see this Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan launched. It is by no means a complete document, but presents us with an excellent starting point and a list of projects that we can take forward in the next five to ten years.

"Many of these exercises result in lengthy plans that are unreadable to local people and result in very little actions on the ground. However, I think we have struck the right balance between planning and implementation, and I hope that further funds can be found to help deliver the remaining projects listed in our plan."

The Caithness Biodiversity Group agreed to distribute £7,000 towards six wildlife projects involving local people across the county. The two 'Know Your Own Patch' programmes are summarised below:
· The community of Ulbster and members of the Yarrows Heritage Trust are undertaking bi-monthly
  visits to the Loch Watenan area to observe and record how the wildlife and plantlife change through the
  seasons.
· The Friends of Newtonhill are organising a number of open days focusing on birdlife, plantlife and
  woodland habitats in Newtonhill Community Woodland, with a view to improving interpretation in the
  wood.

Funding has also been agreed towards a number of community-led, practical biodiversity projects, including:
· Caithness & Sutherland Trout Angling Group have improved the spawning habitat of a small trout burn
  at Broubster by removing weed and planting alder trees to help stabilise the stream banks.
· Tools and materials have been purchased to enable Cubs and Scouts from the Thurso and Castletown
  areas to build a small tree nursery in Dunnet Forest. The nursery will be used to grow on seeds collected
  from the forest by primary school pupils, with help from Caithness Ranger, Mary Legg and members of
  the Dunnet Forestry Trust.
· The Lybster Community Council, with some help from Caithness East Ranger, Marina Finlayson, have
  started work on a project to demolish the derelict coastguard hut, and replace it with a flagstone shelter
  and interpretative panel to help those interested in watching sea mammals and birds.
· Achvarasdal Community Woodland Group are receiving some assistance towards the printing of a leaflet
  on the Forest.

Copies of the Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan will be available in local libraries and service points. Anyone wishing their own copy should contact Paul Castle, c/o the Caithness Ranger Service, Dunnet Pavillion on (01847) 821531.

Background Information
In 1992 the world’s leaders signed up to Agenda 21, which promoted sustainable development. Under the slogan of “think global, act local” governments across the world have been implementing the recommendations of Agenda 21. The Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan will help deliver the local biodiversity elements of Agenda 21 on the ground.

Biodiversity is short for "biological diversity", and means “the variety of life”. Wildlife is important to us in many ways: for its contribution to our quality of life, for the production of food and raw materials, to tourism and for its own sake. Scientists are now beginning to realise that wildlife also provides “life support” functions for the planet, cleansing the earth from our pollution and maintaining an equitable climate for life.

The Highland Biodiversity Project is sponsored by The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise and RSPB Scotland, and receives match funding from the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme.

Further Information
Janet Bromham, Highland Biodiversity Project Officer, 01463 702274 [email protected]
Barbara Bremner, Chairman, Caithness Biodiversity Group, 01847 831843 [email protected]