Project takes wing

Jul 20 2005 Dumfries & Galloway Standard

A CONSERVATION success story heads an update of the region’s pioneering biodiversity plan.

It centres on a roadside verge and a moth on the point of extinction north of the Border.

Back in the year 2000, the verge at Dalskairth three miles west of Dumfries on the road to New Abbey, was the only known Scottish colony of the narrow-bordered five-spot Burnet moth.

There were only 14.

The council came up with the country’s first comprehensive plan to help wildlife habitats and species.

As part of that plan the section of roadside became a conservation area.

Now five years on, the Burnet moth colony has exploded with around 1000 counted so far this year.

Seventy organisations across the region are involved in the Dumfries and Galloway Biodiversity Partnership.

Their efforts focus on 22 wildlife habitats and 123 species which are of special importance.

Over the last five years a number of success stories have emerged.

An environmental resources centre, collecting, collating and distributing information about the region has been set up.

A series of ponds near Lockerbie, built to treat surface water run off from an industrial site, has become home to a large number of breeding birds.

The Scottish Raised Bog Project has completed extensive restoration work at three sites.

Red Kites have been successfully reintroduced and schools have been heavily involved.

Chris Miles, area manager for Scottish Natural Heritage and chairman of the Biodiversity Partnership, said: “It is worth remembering that everyone can do something, be it growing plants that are good for wildlife in a window box or garden, helping out with a conservation organisation or reporting wildlife sightings to the environment resources centre.”

Councillor Joan Mitchell, who chairs the planning and environment committee, added: “Conservation of our biodiversity is not only essential to our rural economy, being particularly linked to farming, fishing, timber production and the tourist industry, but adds to everyone’s quality of life.”