Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. It will only succeed if everyone plays a part.

It has been identified that much of the action to take forward this change has to happen at a local level.

Local action

This fifth edition of the North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Action Plan has been developed to further conserve and enhance the habitats and species that contribute to the unique character and heritage of North Lanarkshire contributing to the functioning of healthy ecosystems.

For example in Scotland, much of the blanket and raised bog has been damaged by activities such as afforestation, drainage, and agriculture. This has resulted in the extent and benefits of this important habitat being much reduced. Degraded bogs do not sequester carbon, and fail to act as a carbon sink. 

In Scotland, it is estimated that up to 70% of blanket bog and 90% of active raised bog has been damaged.  

The 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity includes a key imperative to restore Scotland’s peatlands. Extensive areas of peatland will be managed to conserve their wildlife and to improve their capacity for storing carbon. The North Lanarkshire Bog Habitat Action Plan contributes to this target by restoring our local peatlands.

Partnership work

The North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Partnership looks to build on the conservation work that has taken place over the past 22 years and to take forward positive actions for our priority species and habitats to 2023 and beyond. We are seeking views and ideas from the public and partners ahead of publication early 2023.

Local biodiversity action plans are fundamental documents to deliver conservation at a local scale. The Biodiversity Action Plan is a partnership effort to target actions for key habitats and species in North Lanarkshire. Available resources are thereby focused. This can only be achieved by cooperation between conservation bodies, development agencies, developers, local authorities, community groups, volunteers and local people. Integral to the success of the LBAP as a working document, is the collaboration of interested parties, sharing knowledge, expertise and resources to deliver action for nature.

Action plans

The updated and new North Lanarkshire Biodiversity Action Plans can be found below.

You will see the plans cover a range of habitats and species including School Grounds, Parks and Public Open Spaces, Churches and Cemeteries, Golf Courses, and Rivers and Burns.

Please look at the plans that interest you then use this form to provide feedback and ideas by 31 October.