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GENERAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
A number of specific opportunities for action have been suggested under
each broad habitat, but there were a few more general opportunities that
are common to many habitats, and they are listed below.
Habitat Management
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Encourage greater recognition of
the benefits of existing land management practices towards biodiversity.
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Increase coverage of agri-environment
schemes and land management contracts by raising the overall budget
available for agri-environmental work.
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Encourage more habitat enhancement
projects, through initiatives such as Scottish Environmental Protection
Agency’s Habitat Enhancement Initiative, which promotes the creation,
reinstatement and good management of wildlife habitats.
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Encourage land managers to re-route
access paths away from sensitive habitats and species through working with
initiatives such as the Highland Access Project.
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Employ a farmland biodiversity
officer to advise on agri-environment opportunities and management to
improve biodiversity.
Species Protection
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Ensure future developers are made
aware of the biodiversity interest of the area, and any likely impacts
caused by e.g. wind farm proposals.
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Eradicate invasive species such as
whins, ragwort or salmonberry in areas where they are threatening other
important species.
Awareness Raising
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Encourage wildlife tourism
activities, and continue training in issues related to wildlife tourism
for Tourist Information Centre staff and tourist operators.
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Produce web-based biodiversity
materials on www.wildcaithness.org
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Continue to raise awareness of
biodiversity and the natural environment through ranger-led walks and
events.
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Encourage schools to undertake more
site visits and field trips, using the soon to be re-launched ‘Schools
Out’ pack, which will contain up-to-date information on sites.
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Promote the financial benefits
associated with biodiversity, e.g. clean beaches are better for wildlife
and attract more tourists.
Information Collection
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Produce a biodiversity audit of
Caithness, summarising the status and distribution of both national and
local priority habitats and species.
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Expand the Highland Biological
Recording Centre, and encourage more people to get involved in
recording habitats and species.
Planning, Monitoring and Funding
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Encourage more volunteers to get
involved in surveys, beach clean-ups and other biodiversity projects by
providing childcare facilities and reimbursing travel and subsistence
costs.
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Employ an independent officer to
co-ordinate partner actions aimed at delivering the Caithness Biodiversity
Action Plan, and help volunteer and community groups target funding and
resources to
raise awareness and deliver practical biodiversity projects.
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