Last week I signed up to Scottish Environment Link’s ‘Wildlife Proclamation’ to become a wildlife champion. By signing up I am promising to work with the organisation, as both an MSP and Scottish Labour’s shadow cabinet secretary for the environment, to make Scotland a better place for wildlife.
MSPs that sign the Proclamation are then allowed to pick from a list of animals and plants under threat to champion throughout the Parliamentary year. I have signed up to champion the Puffin and the Lesser Butterfly Orchid.
Scotland is the capital of British and Irish puffindom and the Kingdom is the home of one of the best areas to spot the animal, with colonies across the east coast and on the Isle of May. Unfortunately the local Puffin bird is under threat due to a decline in food and climate change impacts.
The Puffin bird feeds on the lesser sandeel which is sadly in decline, in part due to the effects of climate change, and this is having a knock on effect on the population of the birds, particularly in Fife, as they are forced further north in search of food.
The lesser butterfly orchid is suffering across Scotland due to inappropriate land management. The orchid suffered a 33% decline across Britain between 1964 and 2002 and remains under threat.
The pledge states that the member promises that they will ‘endeavour to retain the colour, variety and vitality of Scotland by conserving wildlife and restoring habitats.’ The proclamation also caries four statements;
- Scotland’s wildlife and landscape defines who we, the people of Scotland, are.
- Investing in the conservation of our wildlife today secures a sustainable environment on which our cultural and economic future depends.
- Conserving wildlife is an effective way to build Scotland’s resilience to climate change.
- Parliament should scrutinise the delivery of wildlife conservation to ensure its success.
During the Year of Natural Scotland it is important that we take the time to reflect on our environment and ensure that future generations are able to experience the Scotland we know and love.
Scotland’s wildlife is known and respected the world over, bringing millions of pounds in tourism each year, including right here in the Kingdom and in our role as elected representatives we must do all we can to encourage the protection and restoration of our local habitats and wildlife.
