Tayside SchoolsBiodiversity Newsletter

Issue 1 -Summer 2010

Go to the home page ofwww.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk and click on theofficial IYB video link to enjoy an 8 minute update.

We are all linked to nature and rely on it to live butour rich biodiversity is being lost at an increasinglyfast rate because of our environmentally damagingactivities. We are looking at 130 species lost everysingle day - worldwide 12% of birds are threatenedwith extinction, 21% of mammals, 28% of reptiles,37% of freshwater fish, 70% of plants.

Habitat loss is the single biggest pressure onbiodiversity across the world - conversion of forestto palm oil production leads to the loss of ¾ birdand butterfly species!

If all this seems a long way away - what can we doabout it, and why should we? Something as simpleas our choice of what we eat (and that includessweets and chocolates which include palm oil) canmake the difference: suddenly the world doesn'tseem so huge after all.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY

schools and one for secondary schools.For more information about the competition seewww.unesco.org.uk/iyb or contact Leo Vincent atlvincent@unesco.org.uk.Don't forget the deadline: 28th May 2010!

Surveys are important in finding out how well aspecies is doing - whether that means if they havehigher or lower survival rates from one year to theother, if they change their geographicaldistribution, or simply to tell us whether we need todo more to conserve a specific species frombecoming vulnerable to extinction. Take part in anyof the following throughout the year:

? Have you seen any Barn Owls in Tayside alive ordead? Unfortunately you are more likely to haveseen a roadkill, but this information isimportant too.

? Breeding bird surveys for the British Trust forOrnithology the family can join in the GardenBirdWatch.

Can you look to the skies for just one hour after9pm in July and count how many swifts you see?Let us know your findings on the online surveyform at http://www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk/Get_Involved_Project_Swifts_OnlineSurvey.asp

? Have you seen any natural sand martinnests? There are several man-made ones tosee across Tayside, including MontroseBasin, Broughty Ferry, Forfar Loch.

? Red Squirrel surveys - there's a greatinformation pack to download athttp://www.dundeeredsquirrels.co.uk

? Bumblebee surveys find out more athttp://www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk/Get_Involved_Project_Bumblebee.html

IYB CompetitionThe UK National Commission for UNESCOSuite 98, 3 Whitehall CourtLondon, SW1A 2EL

GET INVOLVED!

Every Action Counts!

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PLEASE SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO:

First sightings - let us know where you see your firstswallow, house martin, swift or sand martin. Fill inthe online form at www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk orpick up a survey postcard and return it Freepost.

Apple Day is on 21st October. Does you school haveits own fruit trees? Will you be celebrating AppleDay this year? We're creating an apple map - canyou let us know if you have a new orchard, or a fruittree in a tub, an "apple arch" or a row of pear treesin the school grounds? We'll make sure your schoolis included on the map! Let us know viatayside.biodiversity@ukf.net.

Newsletter researched and compiled by RachaelAdams and edited by Catherine Lloyd to celebratethe Tayside Biodiversity Festival and theInternational Year of Biodiversity.

Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, c/o Floor 13,Tayside House, Dundee, DD1 3RATel. 01382 433042;E-mail: Tayside.biodiversity@ukf.net;Website: www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk.

APPLE DAY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

WHY IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT?

Biodiversity is simply “all living things”. We aresurrounded by a variety of living things from allshapes and sizes from the smallest ant to thelargest tree, and even you and me! Biodiversity isEVERYWHERE: it is not only found in our gardensbut all over our towns and cities, out to sea, in theair and, of course, in the countryside!

Biodiversity is important to our health as manyspecies of animals and plants provide keymedicines. It is vital to our economy by supplyingthe raw materials for our clothing, food, drink, fuel,buildings and roads. Wildlife tourism is one ofScotland's major income-earners.

Thanks to the insects pollinating our crops and theblossom of our many fruit trees, there arenumerous environment-based jobs in farming,fishing and services providing water, energy andbuilding materials. Biodiversity also encourages usto go outdoors to exercise in beautifulsurroundings, be that in the local park, down by thebeach or up in the hills.

Why is this year so special?

It is the International Year of Biodiversity(designated by the United Nations).

Question:

Answer:

design & print t. 01382 400150fairprint

Printed on 80% recycled stock.

Free wildlife bookmarks available let us know whatyou are doing at school for biodiversity (maximum100 words) and we will send your class a bookmarkeach tayside.biodiversity@ukf.net. [deadline: 25thSeptember]

and learn more about our special wildlife andplants and how you can help take care of thebiodiversity we have left.

Please take part in as many events as possible andtell your friends and family: make this a world widebiodiversity celebration!

Join the Angus Rangers in some fantastic events inMay. As part of our BioBlitz you can become aranger for the day and explore the differenthabitats within your own school grounds andrecord the different plants and animals you cansee! Get your school involved by calling 01241860360 or Email: crombiepark@angus.gov.uk totake part.

Grab the chance to join the Junior Rangers NatureClub (Age 5-14yrs) and take part in a variety ofbiodiversity events from looking at how biodiversitycan change through time, searching for wildlife aspart of a Beastie Bus tour of the Angus Glens, jointhe Forfar 'Air Show', a walk featuring theacrobatics of swifts and bats. For more details call01307 461118 or Email: forfarloch@angus.gov.uk

If you like picnics then join the Angus Rangers indiscovering the variety of wildlife found at CrombiePark. Or learn why those buzzeeeee bees are soimportant to biodiversity. Contact 01241 860360 orEmail: crombiepark@angus.gov.uk. Come andlearn how to make your very own bee nest box inour special workshop with the NE Scotland BeeKeepers Association. Call 01382 370202 or EmailMonikiepark@angus.gov.uk for more information.

At the end of May look out for the Nature on Trackevents taking place on trains between Perth andMontrose - further details will be publicised in thelocal press. There is a leaflet telling you about thebiodiversity you may see from the train - downloadit from www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk or collectcopies from local stations.

For your copy, let us know where you travel fromand to (and how often) send these details totayside.biodiversity@ukf.net.

Family Fun in Angus

COMING SOON - An Activity Pack for youngtravellers

Seehttp://www.angus.gov.uk/leisure/rangerservice.htmFor more Angus events!

This year we have the opportunity to join the rest ofthe world in trying to understand the key rolebiodiversity plays in keeping us alive and what wecan do to help.

There is lots of information available on theinternational website:http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/ and on the UKwebsite: www.biodiversityislife.net.

• Create a wildlife corner in your school groundsor garden: it looks good, adds interest, benefitsbutterflies and moths and helps control gardenpests.

• Plant up a butterfly-friendly window box for useat home, work or school. Try planting herbs ortomatoes into a hanging basket.

• Take all rubbish home from the beach - it canendanger wildlife if left behind.

Suggest your Eco-Committee gets a copy of the“Making Way for Nature Biodiversity in CommunityGardens, Orchards and Allotments” bookletavailable from tayside.biodiversity@ukf.net; youcan download a copy fromhttp://www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk/News/PDFs/BiodiversityCommunityGardens.pdf.

When is it?Throughout

the whole month ofMay!

We have an amazing 140+ events across Angus,Dundee, Perth and Kinross, so there is somethingfor everyone! Take a quick glance here at some ofthe fantastic family fun events being heldthroughout May from big discovery day events,outdoor performances, walks and talks: lots ofinformation is available in the Festival programme(pick one up at your local library or check online atwww.taysidebiodiverstiy.co.uk). Become involved

BIODIVERSITY IS LIFE - BIODIVERSITY IS OUR LIFE

3 things you can do for Biodiversity….

TAYSIDE BIODIVERSITY FESTIVAL

Question:Answer:

What's On?

What can we do in Perthshire?

More Fun at Kinross

If you like wildlife, geology and history, why notvisit the National Trust for Scotland Centre and havea go at the Soldiers' Leap Activity Trail. ContactLMedine@nts.org.uk for more details!

There will be an entire day of fun-filled biodiversityactivities at the North Inch this May as part of Perth800 celebrations. There will be wildlife surveys, aspecial outdoor production of the Perth YouthTheatre Collective's 'The Tree', displays, naturetrails and much more! Just contact Niall Lobley on01738 475393 for more information. Perth Museumwill have a Bees, Butterflies and Birds Day at theend of the month.

Learn how to make home made bread and butterthe way they used to in the Iron Age, or join in aNettle Festival! Contact the Scottish CrannogCentre on 01887 830583/info@crannog.co.uk fordates and times.

Join in the River Festival at Historic Scotland'sStanley Mills where there will be lots of outdooractivities, music, stories and much more! Bring allthe family and have a fantastic day out. Justcontact Kaye Finlay onkaye.finlay@scotland.gsi.gov.uk for more details.

And don't forget to join in the Otterly Mad Weekcelebrations at Kindrogan Field Centre, nearEnochdhu - find out about otters, red squirrels andall the other wildlife in this special area - Tel. 01250870150

Just E-mail: biodiversity.events@dundeecity.gov.ukbefore 25th June.

There will be pond dipping sessions at Vane FarmNature Reserve to discover those wee lurkingmonsters of the deep. If you like a bit of bingo, whynot join us in the RSPB's very own biodiversitybingo! With a biodiversity card, discover thediverse range of plants, animals and birds as youset across the reserve. Even turn your garden into asafe place for wildlife by creating your very ownsalad bowl full of fantastic goodies (all materialsprovided). Contact 01577 862355;Jane.Cleaver@rspb.org.uk for further details.

Last but not least, join in the Discovery Day at LochLeven National Nature Reserve (Kirk Park) where

Ask for your free packet of seeds!

there will be fun activities for all the family. Manyenvironmental organizations will be there toanswer your questions, David Boag theinternational wildlife photographer will be runninga mini photographic workshop - bring your owncamera.

Dundee has a fantastic range of events for all thefamily to enjoy from family bat walks aroundDundee University campus to an Oscar-winning filmscreening of 'The Cove' at Dundee DCA.

There are after-school workshops at the BotanicGardens where you will get the chance to learn allabout the pros and cons of tropical plants, whichflowers are friendly to bees and even help inplanting some bluebells with the gardeners. Ifthat's not enough, there is a family workshop forthe whole family to discover the variety of differenthabitats and living things in the garden. ContactC.Reaney@dundee.ac.uk for details.

Celebrate International Biodiversity Day atDundee's Science Centre for a BBC Breathing PlacesWild Day Out event for all the family.

Lastly, a date for your diary: 30th May - don't missthe Dundee Wild Day Out BioBlitz at Trottick Pondsfor a brilliant day of conservation activities for allages such as surveys, snail and bumblebee hunts,quizzes, and poetry. Contact Kathy onkathy.longmuir@dundeecity.gov.uk for moredetails.

To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity(IYB) UNESCO Associated Schools network in the UKhas launched a competition to find the school thatbest communicates the messages of the IYB:• celebrating the importance of biodiversity• raising awareness of the need to protectbiodiversity• encouraging people to take action to help protectthe irreplaceable natural wealth around us

Your task is to devise a creative and effectivecampaign that can spread the IYB messages to yourlocal community. You can submit a poster, collage,brochure, video or podcast. There will be twocategories for the competition, one for primary

Biodiversity in Dundee

To check dates, times, venues and costs for allevents taking place across May seewww.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk or pick up aprogramme at your local library.

SCHOOL COMPETITION DEADLINE 28th May