Information to promote the annual Biodiversity Month events, and to highlight the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) volunteer working group partners, with web links to varying organisations.
Guiding Principles
The West Lothian Biodiversity Action Plan (PDF, 9 MB)(opens new window) focuses on three guiding principles: 1 -Protect, restore and enhance, 2- Connect and allow flow, and 3 -Repair human connections with Nature. This page focuses on the third principle, recognising that lasting nature recovery depends on people understanding, valuing and engaging with the natural world around them.
To achieve this, we need to reconnect with nature and challenge the tendency to accept environmental decline as normal. This phenomenon, known as shifting baseline syndrome, occurs when each generation perceives the natural environment they grow up with as the norm, despite ongoing losses of species, habitats and ecological abundance. By spending time in nature, learning about local wildlife, participating in citizen science, and volunteering in conservation activities, we can develop a deeper appreciation of what has been lost, what remains, and what can be restored. Rebuilding this connection is essential to inspiring action, fostering stewardship, and creating a future where both people and nature can thrive.
We have specific actions and cross cutting goals to support the reconnection:
Cross cutting goal 14: Increased coordinated awareness-raising and educational activities in order to connect people with nature and to highlight important messages;
Action 28: Provide citizen science opportunities such as Bioblitzes, training in FIT counts, learning events, etc. to engage local groups in species observation and monitoring on public / private ground;
Action 29: Provide engagement opportunities such as events, volunteering, training, peer to peer learning, Friends groups, focussed campaigns, social media and led activities (e.g. guided walks)
One way we are delivering these goals and actions is by hosting an annual Biodiversity Month.
Biodiversity Month
Biodiversity Month is an opportunity to celebrate the variety of life around us and recognise the actions needed to tackle the nature and climate emergencies. It aligns with the vision of both the West Lothian Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy, which aim to halt biodiversity loss, restore nature, and create healthier, more resilient communities by 2045.
This year, we are focussed on meeting the guiding principles if the LBAP through four themes:
Species
Every species plays an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, from pollinators supporting food production to birds, mammals and plants contributing to ecological balance. Protecting and restoring species populations is a key objective of both the West Lothian LBAP and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, which seek to reverse declines in species abundance and improve the condition of Scotland's wildlife.
Habitats
Healthy habitats such as woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and urban greenspaces provide food, shelter and breeding areas for wildlife. The West Lothian LBAP places a strong emphasis on protecting, enhancing, restoring and connecting habitats across the region, supporting the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy's goal of creating larger, better-connected and more resilient ecosystems.
Climate and Resilience
Nature plays a vital role in helping communities adapt to climate change by storing carbon, reducing flood risk, improving air quality and supporting ecosystem health. Both the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the West Lothian LBAP recognise that restoring habitats and strengthening ecological networks are essential nature-based solutions that help build resilience for both people and wildlife.
Citizen Science and Volunteering
Everyone can play a part in nature recovery. Citizen science projects, species recording, habitat management and volunteering activities provide valuable information and practical support for conservation efforts. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy highlights the importance of citizen science in monitoring biodiversity, while the West Lothian LBAP promotes partnership working and community involvement as essential to delivering positive outcomes for nature.
Information to follow
Further information
Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Framework for Developing the Contribution of Nature-based Volunteering and Citizen Science NatureScot Framework:
The West Lothian Pledge can be seen in the Signatory Statements:Implementing the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Framework for Developing the Contribution of Nature-based Volunteering and Citizen Science:
We have a volunteer working group as part of the West Lothian Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) which coordinates and tries to encourage partnership working to get the most out of our combined volunteer effort across West Lothian. If you/your organisation would like to join our meetings (usually at least twice per year) please get in touch by emailing - Ecology&Biodiversity@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window). West Lothian Climate Action Network lead on this working group and help coordinate efforts with the Ecology & Biodiversity team.
The working group is made up of partners and organisation who deliver Nature volunteering in West Lothian. See below for links to the organisations and how to volunteer with them.
