Carts Greenspace's developed and adopted a Biodiversity Priorities Statement in 2006 but this
document has now reached the end of its planned lifespan so a replacement is being considered.
The original statement
recognised that the Carts Greenspace area contains a surprisingly rich biodiversity but that this resource is under intensifying
threats. It noted that much work is required to protect and enhance this biodiversity and that a number of organisations
are working towards these goals. Scottish Natural Heritage's "Greenspace for Communities" initiative
had clearly established that enhancing biodiversity was one of its priorities and this high level of importance for biodiversity
has been reinforced by the Scottish Government's key priority of a "Greener Scotland" and by the Glasgow &
Clyde Valley Green Network Programme's priority of enhancing biodiversity.
To make a positive response to such
stated priorities, it has always been clear that Carts Greenspace's small team has to be carefully directed
to ensure that resources are deployed most effectively.
Examining national and local guidance on biodiversity in
2006 led to the conclusion that Carts Greenspace should concentrate on three priority themes:
- enhancing
and prmoting biodiversity in urban areas;
- raising levels of awareness of biodiversity;
- encouraging
people to participate in biodiversity conservation projects.
The original Biodiversity Priorities Statement
concluded by identifying 16 specific tasks for Carts Greenspace to tackle over the three year period from 2006 to 2009. Some
of these tasks have been achieved, including the introduction of a new biodiversity page to this web site and persuading
schools to enhance biodiversity in their grounds, but others have proved to be a struggle because of limiting external factors,
e.g. funding constraints and administrative changes affecting Carts Greenspace.
Electronic copies of the original
document can be made available by contacting Steve Edwards, Project Manager. It is clear that priorities over the
next three years will have to be even more precisely targeted but suggestions for action are always welcome.
