Some very familiar plants and animals are threatened with extinction in East Lothian, including grey partridge on farms, swifts and bats in towns, bluebells in our woods and water voles along our rivers. As well as the familiar species, unusual species also need conserving, such as beetles, mosses, lichens and spiders. A strategy to help all these species has been produced for East Lothian - the East Lothian Biodiversity Action Plan (ELBAP).

Environment spokesman, Cllr. Paul McLennan explained: “Biodiversity is like wildlife but refers to every species and habitat on the planet. Many species have become rare or even extinct in recent years and the biodiversity process targets nature conservation at these species and habitats. The biodiversity process began in 1992 when over 150 countries signed the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Biodiversity is a global nature conservation process that is needed in East Lothian as much as the East Indies.”

The ELBAP was first produced in 2003. A range of innovative work has been done since then, including the building of ponds on Haddington Golf Course, the sowing of wildflower meadows in towns, the planting of orchards and creation of habitats on farms. These projects have been taken forward by individuals and groups, including farmers, foresters, conservationists, planners, businesses and communities.

A list of habitats and species that need urgent conservation action has been produced for Scotland. A similar list of priorities has been produced for East Lothian and it includes over 300 species and about 30 habitats. These include coastal areas, woodlands, farms, towns and rivers, as well as rocky places and wetlands. The ELBAP describes these priorities and lists conservation actions that need to be implemented to help our biodiversity survive.

Cllr. McLennan continued: “Copies of the ELBAP can be found in libraries, community centres and on the Countryside section of the East Lothian Council website. The ELBAP is a plan that should be implemented by everybody, and we want your help.

“Biodiversity in East Lothian has benefited over the last 5 or 6 years through a variety of projects involving all sorts of people. A project to help farmland birds has nearly doubled the number of grey partridge and also increased the numbers of many other birds. About 50 farmers are involved in the project which is sponsored by Dods of Haddington.

 “The Council has created many wildflower meadows around the county, to the benefit of butterflies, bumblebees and wildflowers. Cockenzie Power Station has worked with the local communities to create local orchards and meadows. Local communities have helped in many different ways: the tidying up of beaches; the planting of woodlands and wildflowers; the creation of wildlife gardens in schools; the erection of bird and bat boxes; wildlife management on golf courses; enhancing biodiversity through planning applications.

 “This is very encouraging progress but there is a lot to do. Water voles remain extremely rare, despite conservation work by various groups including Longniddry Golf Course. Some of the best loved landscapes in the county, including rivers, sand dunes and woodland remain threatened by recreation pressure, development pressure and even invasive plants. Some parts of East Lothian are protected because of the important wildlife they contain, but this only amounts to about 10% of the county. The biodiversity process aims to encourage wildlife across the remaining 90% of the county as well. We want East Lothian to be a socially vibrant, economically productive nature reserve. We can only reach this sustainable goal if everybody takes part.”

There are many things you can do at home, in your garden, at school, at work or during your time off. If you want to get involved, please contact the East Lothian Council Biodiversity Officer, Stuart Macpherson, on (01620) 827242 smacpherson@eastlothian.gov.uk