05/05/2011

Some of the UK’s leading environmental organisations are lending their backing as a North East Scotland biodiversity partnership finds a home at the James Hutton research institute.

The North East Scotland Local Biodiversity Action Plan (NES LBAP), which includes members from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray councils, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, was previously hosted by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLURI), however earlier this year the MLURI and Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) merged to form the James Hutton Institute, where the Plan is now based.The LBAP takes action to conserve important species and habitats for our benefit and for future generations

Speaking on behalf of the partners, LBAP Coordinator Rose Toney says, "The protection and enhancement of biodiversity is too big an issue for one organisation to tackle.”

Toney said the move heralds a new dawn for the NES LBAP, which is in excellent shape to help protect and strengthen biodiversity across the province, with increased fortitude thanks to financial backing from Scottish Natural Heritage.

Outlining the importance of the partnership, Toney said, “A rich wildlife supports our tourism industry, pollinates many of our agricultural and horticultural crops and helps control pests and maintains soil fertility and the aims of the NES LBAP fit neatly into the visions of The James Hutton Institute in making contributions to key issues such as food security and environmental protection. We look forward to continued collaboration to meet multiple demands facing the land and our natural resources.”