Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Ness will be a focus of attention during this year’s Scottish Biodiversity Week and LNR Celebrations Fortnight.  An Environmental Fayre is being held in Lionel School on Tuesday 29th May for local school children and the public to learn about their local nature reserve and the work of key environmental organisations and projects.  A new website for the LNR will also be launched on the day.

Pupils from Airidhantium, Barvas, Cross and Lionel schools have been invited to attend one of two sessions during the day where they will participate in fun activities and learn about biodiversity and the LNR.

The Fayre will be open to the public in the evening from 7pm – 9pm and will be an opportunity to, meet with members of the Loch Stiapabhat LNR Management Group, find out about plans for the LNR and the work of key environmental organisations and projects. Organisations and projects participating on the day include Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Hebridean Mink Project, John Muir Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn and the Western Isles Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Loch Stiapabhat was designated a LNR by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in July 2005, the first in the Western Isles.  The reserve is managed by a local management group known as ‘Friends of Loch Stiapabhat’. LNR Celebrations Fortnight is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and runs throughout Scotland from the 26th May – 10th June. LNR Celebrations fortnight is aimed at raising the profile of LNRs and to demonstrate their potential in engaging people with their local natural heritage. 

During Scottish Biodiversity Week (19-27 May) many organisations will be holding events and activities for children, grown ups, schools, families, and businesses to get out and about in the Scottish countryside. There will be talks, guided walks, pond-dipping, birdwatching trips, nature reserve open days, wildflower planting days, nature photography/painting workshops & exhibitions, whale and dolphin watching trips and much more! The myriad of activities run during the week, across the whole of Scotland, are designed to promote awareness and appreciation of Scotland's unique biodiversity, help the public understand what biodiversity is, to encourage them to get involved, and to reinforce the message that what they are doing locally does have a national, international, and global impact. 

Councillor Archie Campbell, chairman of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sustainable Development Committee, said “The LNR provides a fantastic opportunity for locals and visitors to the area to study our wildlife and has great educational value for schools throughout the islands.  Events such as the Environmental Fayre encourage the development of links with nearby schools and it is hoped that pupils will become involved in practical projects on the reserve. The local community has backed this initiative whole heartedly and I hope that in the long-term the LNR will bring small-scale economic benefits to the area through the provision of visitor facilities. The involvement of young people is key to ensuring the Western Isles’ unique wildlife and habitats are maintained for future generations.  Children experience far more learning about biodiversity in the environment around them and I am encouraged to see events and activities aimed specifically for schools. I am also encouraged by the range of organisations and projects represented at the Fayre and hope that their ongoing support and involvement with the LNR will allow the LNR to flourish.”

To find out more about what is being done for biodiversity in the Western Isles  visit the Western Isles Biodiversity website at www.cne-siar.gov.uk/biodiversity or contact Anne MacLellan on 01870 602425, email amaclellan@cne-sair.gov.uk.

Notes to editors

1.       Loch Stiapabhat is renowned for attracting a great variety of migrant birds, being situated on the main flyway from and to the Arctic.  None of the island’s lochs has had a wider range of rarities recorded or possesses such as diversity of common wetland birds that can be so easily observed.  A bird hide was erected on common grazings close to the loch in 2004 and is widely used, providing excellent views of the many birds using the loch.

2.       The importance of the area has also been recognised through its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA).  However, LNR status allows positive local management of the area, enabling people to understand and enjoy it.  LNR status encourages local responsibility and accountability, not easily achieved by the other national and international designations.

3.       Awareness raising through events such as Scottish Biodiversity Week is a key aim of the Western Isles LBAP.

4.        The Scottish Biodiversity Week logo can be downloaded online at: http://www.snh.org.uk/biodiversityweek/links.asp