| LAUNCH OF WESTERN ISLES CROFTING & BIODIVERSITY EXHIBITION AND LEWIS & HARRIS SCHOOLS BIODIVERSITY ARTWORK | 21 May 2008 |
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Scottish Biodiversity Week will see the launch of two new biodiversity exhibitions by Dr Alasdair Allan MSP on Monday 19th May in Sir E. Scott School, Tarbert – the Western Isles Crofting & Biodiversity Exhibition and Lewis & Harris Schools Biodiversity Artwork. The Crofting & Biodiversity Exhibition has been produced by the Western Isles Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) Partnership. The exhibition aims to promote the links between traditional crofting practices and biodiversity and highlights how particular management can benefit species such as the corn bunting, corncrake and great yellow bumblebee. Cllr Norman A MacDonald, Chair of the LBAP Partnership, said “The exhibition demonstrates the vital contribution of crofting activities to our islands’ rich biodiversity. Crofters have an ideal opportunity to benefit from current public interest in locally produced food linked to a quality environment.” The Schools Biodiversity Artwork is the culmination of a novel project aimed at linking biodiversity with a creative experience, principally art and design. Pupils from Balallan, Bernera, Cliasamol, Leverhulme, Pairc, Scalpay and Seilibost Schools have been learning about their local wildlife and the environment through the use of digital microscopes and cameras. Helping them has been an artist and a biodiversity expert. On returning to school the pupils worked on their discoveries to produce high quality artwork which will feature at the exhibition. Jon Macleod from An Lanntair said “ The starting point for the project was a site visit to a local habitat such as the Aline forrest trail. Our discoveries were analysed back at school and in the second day we produced a range of different artworks. Also included in the exhibition is work created during the Moorland schools project which looked at the natural and cultural links to this habitat within the Island. One result of this project (featured in the exhibition) is a set of Gaelic/English Moorland Top Trump cards created by pupils from the participating schools. “ The exhibition and artwork will be on display in Sir E Scott School following the launch on Monday 19th May until Saturday 24th May. Thereafter the exhibitions will be on display at An Lanntair in Stornoway until Friday 30 May. During Scottish Biodiversity Week (19-25 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. If you need any further information, contact: Anne MacLellan
Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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