More than 110 events to celebrate Scottish Biodiversity Week



http://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/area/biodiversity-week/photo-comp/













Message from Scottish National Heritage:

Scottish Biodiversity Week kicks off on May 19 with over 110 free wildlife events across Scotland.

Organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and partners, the week boosts a huge array of community events taking place from the top of the country in Caithness and Sutherland, down to Angus, Argyll and Scottish Borders.

Participants can spot a puffin colony or search for whales and dolphins in Caithness; walk through ‘bone’ caves where ice age reindeer, humans and polar bears were discovered or take part in a worm charming championship in Sutherland; take part in guided beaver walks near Lochgilphead; search for bats in Letham; watch for peregines near Kirriemuir; join a ranger-led walk around Possil March local nature reserve in Glasgow; find out about barn owls in Galashiels; learn about birdsong near Newton Stewart; take part in a biodiversity scavenger hunt in the Pentland Hills; or join in any number of activities at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.

There are two naturalist celebrities taking part in Scottish Biodiversity Week as well. Well-known nature writer Sir John Lister-Kaye will be speaking and showing his spectacular pictures at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on May 22, while popular wildlife cameraman, Gordon Buchanan, will be planting the Tree for Life’s millionth volunteer-planted tree at Dundreggan Estate on May 20.

For more information on these and many other events across Scotland, see www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/biodiversityweek. Most events are free, with a few events with minimal charges.

Scottish Biodiversity Week organiser, Zeshan Akhter, said:

“There are so many great events on offer this year - there’s something for everyone, whether you want to be out in a remote spot, learning about and watching wildlife, or taking part in a busy woodland activity day. With over 110 events across Scotland, I’d really encourage everyone to take a look at our website and find an event nearby.”

Scottish Biodiversity Week has been held every year since 2001, starting as a local initiative in Fife in 2000 and growing into a national event. Many organisations put on events, including park ranger services, councils, environmental charities, botanic gardens, businesses, schools and community organisations. For more information and event listings, see www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/biodiversityweek. The purpose of Scottish Biodiversity Week is to celebrate Scotland's precious wildlife and landscapes and offer the chance to everyone to get out and about and experience them.